On this page you can investigate a wide selection of Piano and Keyboard Solos that John has arranged. Simply click on a blue title for a pdf file to open. Those in green are in preparation. More arrangements will be added in the coming months.
Piano:
National Anthems and Airs
Often state occasions or large sporting events will include music to celebrate the present or to help us to remember something or someone from the past. You'll find Anthems from various countries in this section.
British:
Arranged in F major for voice and jazz piano on Her Majesty's 80th birthday in 2006.
A very different arrangement in F# major for her 85th birthday in 2011.
Two verses arranged in G major to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
An arrangement in F major in recognition of Her Majesty becoming our longest reigning Monarch in September 2015.
Three verses written in G major in September 2022.
Written in Eb major at the time of King Charles III's Coronation in May 2023.
This great Scottish folk song is arranged in F major for piano, voice and tin whistle.
Sing aloud to Land of my Fathers, with links to a Welsh Choir, Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel.
It's written in D and Eb majors.
Simple early on, then note clusters and a modulation from C to D major gives this some bite.
Overseas:
Australia: Advance Australia Fair - this anthem was written by a Scottish-born composer in 1878 and was adopted in 1984, with some lyrics being updated in 2021. Some Australians would like to change both their Anthem and their present flag to something that is more reflective of their current multicultural society. This PVG arrangement is in Bb major.
Canada: O Canada/Ô Canada - the French lyrics were written in 1880, with the current English words (which aren't meant to be a direct translation but do have similar sentiments) being penned in 1908. It wasn't adopted as the official Anthem until 1980. 'God save the King' is known as the Royal Anthem of Canada. This PVG arrangement is in Eb major, with lyrics in
both English and French.
France: La Marseillaise - written in 1792. It acquired its nickname when the National Guard of Marseille sung it as they
marched into Paris just three months after an Army captain had written it. It was first adopted as the French National
Anthem in 1795, before being replaced by other songs (due to the politics at the time) in 1799. It was officially restored as
the National Anthem in 1870. It has seven verses, though generally only the first verse and chorus is sung. This PVG
arrangement is in Ab major, with lyrics in both French and English.
Germany: Das Lied der Deutschen - the music was written by Haydn in 1793, with lyrics for three verses being written in
1841. After German reunification the third verse was confirmed by the Government as the National Anthem.
This PVG arrangement is in D major, with lyrics in both German and English.
Netherlands: Wilhelmus - dating back to the mid 16th century, it was officially adopted in 1932.
South Africa: National Anthem of South Africa - this anthem was adopted in 1997. It combines two anthems that were
previously used by different ethnic groups of this country. It uses five different languages (Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans
and English) and ends in a different key to the one it started with (a claim also shared by a country in Europe and another in Asia). This PVG arrangement in E minor and D major, also has the lyrics in the five languages, together with an English
translation throughout.
Traditional
Swing along to this generally thickly-textured arrangement in F major.
A tiring few days in the saddle reaches an enjoyable ending - home sweet home with the family! Written in D major.
Four variations in G minor on this well-known Tudor folk song.
Here you will be able to play the repeated theme of London Bridge in D major whilst it alternates with other contrasting themes.
Can you imagine the story this arrangement in D minor portrays?
Various Composers
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a German composer of the Classical and Romantic Periods.
Ode to Joy - arranged in G major.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a German composer of the Romantic Period.
Guten Abend, gute Nacht - arranged for left hand in F major.
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) was a Czech composer of the Romantic period.
Largo - a Piano Reduction of themes from the second movement of his 9th Symphony, here in C major. Hovis used this music to help advertise their brand of bread in the 1970s and 1980s.
Scott Joplin (1868-1917) was an American composer of the late Romantic period.
The Entertainer - this is one of the most famous Ragtime pieces, here in C major.
Carols
Away in a Manger
Here you will find a static Left Hand part. It sticks to the five finger F major position, though it changes for each verse.
All the words are included so that you can practise playing and singing if you wish.
Much of this four part arrangement in F major follows the traditional harmony many of us know and enjoy. However, a few of the latter bars of this three verse Carol, have a certain darker feel to what you might normally hear or play.
Could you play this fairly straightforward accompaniment whilst singing the lyrics to the four verses at the same time?
The melody doesn't coincide with the piano part very often. It's written in F major.
Here you will find a lilting and gentle arrangement, with a separate piano accompaniment to the melody line. The second verse contains a few jazzy chord progressions. The short interludes between the verses give you time to catch your breath if you are singing it as well!
The music for the first verse is in C major. It is repeated for the first five verses, before modulating into D major for the final verse. This sixth verse has slightly different harmonies. Most of the piece is in two parts and all the lyrics are included.
Keyboard:
Hansel and Gretel - traditional Ode to Joy - Beethoven (1770-1827)
Lightly Row - traditional Raindrops - Schmitt (1803-1853)
Merrily we roll along - traditional When the Saints - traditional
Merry Dance - Traditional
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