You Say - A Great Big World

• Hand Coordination: Throughout the piece, the interdependence of left-hand harmony and right-hand melody requires significant hand coordination. In measures 20-24, achieving a seamless blend without compromising the clarity of each voice can be challenging.

• Dynamic Control: Sections featuring dynamic swells, particularly in measures 30 and 32, necessitate precise control over finger strength and pedal usage to avoid abrupt transitions.

Specific Difficult Passages

• Measure 40-44: The transition to faster eighth notes can be tricky for players. This section demands agility and control, serving as a touchstone for players to develop finger independence.

Specific Exercises

• For Coordination: In measures 20-24, practice slowly at first, ensuring each hand maintains its musical and dynamic intentions. Gradually increase the tempo as confidence builds.

• Dynamic Control Drills: Create exercises focusing solely on dynamics. For instance, practice playing the melody in measure 30 softly and then progressively louder, and vice versa, to enhance dynamic control.

Utilizing Score Structure

Players should leverage the piece's repetitive motifs to aid memory retention. By noting how themes are varied throughout, musicians can better anticipate musical patterns which aids in memorization and execution.

Final Thoughts

"You Say" serves not only as a beautiful piece of music but also as an effective tool for developing essential piano skills such as coordination, dynamic control, and expressive playing. With focused practice and a solid understanding of the score’s elements, musicians can enjoy and effectively perform this composition.

The sheet music for "You Say" is structured in the key of F Major and features a 4/4 time signature, maintaining a moderate tempo of 70 BPM. The piece is designed for the piano and consists of a single melodic track that incorporates both melody and accompaniment elements. Below, we delve into its unique attributes, performance challenges, and practice suggestions to facilitate a deeper understanding of the music.

Structural Features

• Melody and Harmony: The primary melody features a singable line highlighted in the right-hand notes. The chord progression primarily revolves around the I-IV-V structure, common in pop music, which gives it a familiar and comforting sound. The piece begins with repeated F major triads (F4, A3, C4) before progressing through variations incorporating E4, D4, and B♭3.

• Harmonic Progression: The piece reflects traditional chord progressions with notable instances of harmonic movement. For example, in measures 1 to 4, the progression emphasizes the I chord (F) and transitions to IV (B♭), then to V (C) and back to I. This establishes a strong tonal center.

• Rhythmic Layers: The rhythmic structure is primarily consistent, employing quarter-note and half-note values. The use of syncopation, particularly in the introduction of eighth notes towards the end of the piece, creates an engaging rhythmic texture, particularly in measures 40-44.

Distinctive Elements

• Repetitive Motifs: The right hand showcases motifs that repeat in various sequences, especially in measures 5 to 12. This repetition enhances memorability and reinforces the song's thematic development.

• Contrasting Dynamics: The score indicates varying dynamics, ranging from soft (p) to moderately loud (mf). This provides expressive depth, particularly notable in measures 8-11, where the dynamic rise complements the melodic ascension.

You Say

• Artist
  A Great Big World
• Number of imitations:
  109
• Genre
  A Great Big World
• Key
  F
• Tempo
  70
• Pages
  5
• Notation
  A Great Big World
• Compose
  Darstowe Latny
• Introduction
  You Say' - Darstowe Latny, This music is undefined, arr. by A Great Big World, Suitable for all students to learn