InTune

Mark the Anniversary of WWII with Music

Posted on Sep 01, 2009 by Monica.

Today marks the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II. Even though the 1940s were a tragic time in the world’s history, this was also a very important period for music, too. Popular songs were used to boost morale and entertain troops, but they were also written to fill the hearts of those waiting at home as well.

Performed by big bands, orchestras and solo artists, there are many memorable songs from the 1940s that continue to resonate through the years. For example, there are quite a few songs from the Irving Berlin sheet music repertoire from this period, as well as several more from the collection of sheet music for songs by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.

In addition to music written in this era, there is no shortage of powerful movie scores and songs for films set during this time period. Sheet music for Schindler’s List and the collection of songs from the Sound of Music are just two examples, but there are several others.

Here are some popular songs from this time period that we recommend:

• G.I. Jive
• Dancing in the Dark
• On the Atchinson, Topeka and the Santa Fe
• Take the ‘A’ Train
• Warsaw Concerto
• I’ll Walk Alone
• (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover
• I’ll Never Smile Again
• When The Lights Go On Again (All Over The World)
• Comin’ In On A Wing And a Prayer
• Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

If you haven’t already, be sure to read Before You Go a Patriotic Song’s Story, for a moving story behind a song written to honor veterans from WWII and other wars.

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Sheet Music for Schoolhouse Rock & Back to School

Posted on Aug 11, 2009 by Monica.

Get ready to break out your sheet music and practice your instruments – school is almost back in session. Believe it or not, going back to school can be a lot of fun because there are a ton of great songs for you to play and perform. Why not get a head start and play some school-inspired songs to get in the mood to learn music?

For starters, you could groove to School of Rock Guitar Tab. This song was featured in a comedy film by the same name, starring Jack Black. To help you learn this song, we also have a Guitar Guru Session of School of Rock, too. Remember, every session comes with an accompanying guitar tab so you can play this song well after you’ve mastered it.

Not into hard rock? That’s okay, we understand that you might think we don’t need no education, but we still think you do. Don’t want to keep Waitin’ in School? Maybe you should Grease back your hair and get ready for a High School Musical. After all, you don’t want to be a Beauty School Dropout, do you? If the first HSM isn’t enough, you might want to try High School Musical 2. What’s that you say? You want to Scream “I Want It All Right Now!” Okay…don’t worry! We have what you want in this High School Musical 3 Collection.

Well, before you Walk Away, you might want to study up on your lessons with Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock Sheet Music

Do you remember Schoolhouse Rock? From songs like Conjunction Junction to I’m Just a Bill, Schoolhouse Rock has brought animated humor and a whole lot of fun to help teach topics like politics, science, grammar, money, math and technology.

In this money-saving Schoolhouse Rock Song Collection you can enjoy ten popular songs for only $26.95, which saves you $23.15.

Here are ten songs from Schoolhouse Rock that you might enjoy playing or singing:

• I’m Just a Bill
• Conjunction Junction
• Three Is a Magic Number
• No More Kings
• Interplanet Janet
• Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here
• Electricity, Electricity
• My Hero, Zero
• Dollars and Sense
• The Great American Melting Pot

What songs get you in the mood to learn your instrument or master your singing lessons? Share your favorites in the comments below!

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Campfire Songs and our Free Sheet Music

Posted on Jul 15, 2009 by Monica.

If you’re like many people, during the summertime or fall you might enjoy camping with your family somewhere in the wilderness. Whether you have an RV or a tent, you’ll probably light a fire when the sun goes down to enjoy the peacefulness of your trip.

Of course, no campfire would be “complete” without marshmallows roasting over the open flames or hot dogs grilling on a stick. But there’s often something else that goes along with campfires — and that is a good, campfire song that everybody knows the words to.

Many campfire songs have roots in folk music, like the ones you may find in our Campfire Folk Songs sheet music book or the The Folksong Fake Book. Other songs might have more of a contemporary feel, with lyrics that related to family-or-nature oriented topics in today’s culture.

Our free song for July is a nature-themed song that might be perfect for your next campfire. The free sheet music for July is And the Green Grass Grows All Around. This song is known as an additive or a cumulative song; for every refrain the lyrics “add” together. This song structure can be found in other children’s songs, too. Download And the Green Grass Grows All Around for free through July 31st.

In addition to our free song for July, there are several campfire songs on Musicnotes.com. Here are some other campfire song titles you might recognize:

• Home on the Range
• You Are My Sunshine
• He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands
• Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah!
• Daisy, Daisy (Bicycle Built for Two)
• Happy Trails
• Animal Fair
• Puff the Magic Dragon
• Kum Ba Yah (Guitar Guru Session) and sheet music for Kum Ba Yah
• Take Me Home, Country Roads (Guitar Guru Session)
• Do Your Ears Hang Low? NEW Musicnotes Edition!
• On Top of Old Smoky NEW Musicnotes Edition!
• Oh, My Darling Clementine NEW Musicnotes Edition!

What other campfire songs do you recommend? Are there any songs that you would add to this abbreviated list?

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Getting Married? Here’s Some Wedding Sheet Music!

Posted on Mar 10, 2009 by Monica.

Are you getting married? Looking for songs for your wedding ceremony? We know that this time of year is exceptionally busy for you the bride-to-be’s out there, because you’re probably in the middle of planning for your summer wedding. You’re probably planning everything from the wedding ceremony sheet music to the color of your napkins to get ready for your special day. We’d like to help!

Musicnotes Tip: Try to choose wedding ceremony music that can either be played acoustically or through a sound system. Even if you have a band or a musician playing at your wedding, it can’t hurt to have a backup of the music for your wedding ceremony handy just in case there’s a technical issue with equipment.

Here are some wedding sheet music ideas for your ceremony, broken down by events in the wedding. Even if you don’t like these popular songs, these are some key moments in the ceremony that you might want to find music for.

Prelude to your Wedding Ceremony – While your guests are being seating at your ceremony, consider choosing a classical song to welcome them. One of the more popular songs used for this part of a wedding ceremony is: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

Wedding Party Processional – A year-round favorite for the bridal party processional is the song Canon in D composed by Pachelbel. This song is so popular there’s been quite a few variations of this theme for piano, organ, strings, choirs and more!

Bride’s Entrance – As soon as you hear the opening notes of the Bridal Chorus composed by Wagner, we know you’ll recognize it. Did you know that one of the most infamous wedding songs was actually composed for an opera? The Bridal Chorus was originally composed for a romantic German opera named Lohengrin.

Unity Candle Ceremony – The unity candle ceremony is one that transcends all wedding themes. From spiritual weddings to romantic beach weddings, many brides have chosen the song Panis Angelicus by Franck for this event.

Interlude – An interlude may be a wedding song that you choose to commemorate a meaningful moment in the ceremony with music. Although some brides choose popular music for a specific event in their ceremony, many have picked the song Ave Maria for a more classic theme.

Recessional – While you and your new husband are walking down the aisle, you might want to pick the second most popular wedding song, the Wedding March composed by Felix Mendelssohn for Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Postlude for End of Ceremony – After your wedding party leaves, you might want to pick a song to end the ceremony. If you want to continue with your classical theme, you could opt for Handel’s Overture, which is a popular arrangement for the organ.

Do you have any wedding songs to recommend? Are you in the middle of planning your ceremony and need wedding sheet music? Let us know and we’ll feature your comments in an upcoming post. Thanks for reading!

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