As the year draws to a close, we at Musicroom regularly compile the best-selling titles into a single, handy page for your perusal, which you can check out here! But before you go exploring that list, perhaps it’ll be worth your while to read about some of the books below!
Bright Star – Gareth Malone
Gareth Malone, known for his work with the LSO alongside his appearances on such TV programmes as The Choir and The Big Performance, brought out Bright Star this year to acclaim. Throughout the songs composed specifically for primary school children, the subject matter is both wholesome and relatable to the young students. Each song comes with demo and backing tracks, full scores, and photocopiable melody-plus lyrics and lyrics sheets. Introductory notes on the songs provide support in learning and performing them, as well as discussion points for use in the classroom. This collection will get everyone singing!
View the songbook
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish exploded onto the pop scene just a few years ago, and yet her development as both a singer and an artist have been both unexpected and rightfully celebrated. Her latest offering, the 2019 studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, met with universal acclaim, and for good reason. The published transcriptions of the record are arranged for either Piano, Vocal, Guitar or Easy Piano. Containing such songs as the introspective ‘Bad Guy’ or the haunting ‘Bury A Friend’, Eilish, along with her producer brother Finneas, bring forward a brand-new palette of musical colours, darker than most would initially like but utterly affecting.
PVG – Easy Piano
The Elise Ecklund Songbook
Our next pick is a songbook which comes from YouTube personality, Elise Ecklund, and filled with easy-to-play arrangements of her favourite songs, including ‘Ocean Eyes’, ‘Bellyache’, ‘Shape of You’ and more! We recently sat down with Elise to chat about her European tour amongst other things, have a look here!
View the songbook
Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
Rocketman premiered in May this year and charmed both fans and new listeners alike, with much praise being given to both the film’s star, Taron Egerton, as well as the Elton John-laden soundtrack. As such, all the songs included in the film, such as ‘Bennie and the Jets’, ‘I’m Still Standing’ and ‘Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road’ are transcribed and ready to be played in the brilliant matching folios, arranged for Piano, Vocal, Guitar and Easy Piano!
PVG – Easy Piano
Game of Thrones: Season 8 for Piano Solo – Ramin Djawadi
The much hyped and utterly final Season 8 of Game of Thrones has been and gone, and whilst the story might be over its impact remains along with the celebrated music provided by Ramin Djawadi. Including 11 pieces from the last season, including ‘The Night King’ and ‘Jenny of Oldstones’, making this a score that few fans of the series will want to miss!
Piano Solo
Bob Dylan: Complete
Bob Dylan’s career has now spanned more than five decades, with his approach to songwriting evolving and being channelled through various ‘sounds’ yet always retaining the folk roots of his college days. The consistency of his lyrical ability as well as his structuring of chord progressions remains utterly intact, and what better way to see for yourself than by playing the music! This edition contains the entirety of the folk artist’s discography written in a songbook format, with the songs ordered chronologically and including a lengthy introduction concerning the style of Dylan’s guitar playing. An unmissable item for the serious collector!
Chords and Lyrics
The Big Book of Film & TV Hits
45 beloved themes and songs from some of the most celebrated films and programmes all packed into one volume, arranged for Piano, Vocal and Guitar. Whether it be ‘City of Stars’ (La La Land), ‘Moon River’ (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), ‘Misty Mountains’ (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), even ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Monty Python’s Life of Brian), this collection is a treasure trove of works that will you tapping, humming and singing along.
Piano, Vocal, Guitar
Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent – Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi has been making incredible waves this year with the release of his debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent. His single, ‘Someone You Loved’, having topped the Billboard Hot 100 has already cemented his place in history as the first Scottish solo artist to achieve this feat since Sheena Easton in 1981. His affecting, Adele-esque songwriting has proved enjoyable and relatable for a myriad of listeners. So, why not sing out your woes along with Capaldi, including other hits like ‘Bruises’ and ‘Hold Me While You Wait’.
Piano, Vocal, Guitar
Gradebusters
New in 2019, the Gradebusters series presents expertly arranged pieces for a range of solo instruments, with downloadable piano accompaniments and backing tracks to download or stream online. The pieces have been carefully selected and arranged to provide the perfect light relief from exam practice. The first 8 books are for students of Grade 1 level, and the songs appear in order of difficulty. Each song is presented with technical tips and performance notes to help you improve your performance!
The books for flute, piano and violin are already published, with alto and tenor sax, clarinet, trumpet and cello to come very soon in early 2020, and the Grade 2 books to follow later in the year.
View the series
Ludovico Einaudi
Einaudi still retains the title of greatest and most revered contemporary classical pianist for various reasons, and his latest conceptual project, Seven Days Walking, is certainly one of them. The series of albums that were produced as a result of this experiment by the composer contain music of a simple but utterly introspective kind. If you feel like walking through the Italian winter as Einaudi did, it will be well worth it to spend some time playing these works!
Piano Solo