This arrangement presents several technical challenges for performers:

• Hand Coordination: The left-hand patterns (bars 1-8) require consistent synchronization with the right-hand melody, which features varying rhythms and heartfelt phrases.
• Expressive Phrasing: Bars 13-16 present intricate melodic lines that demand careful control in dynamics and articulation, challenging the performer to convey emotional depth without over-pedaling.
• Rhythmic Variations: The rhythmic shifts, especially between quarter and eighth notes, found in bars 11 and 16, necessitate solid timing and rhythmic accuracy.

To address these challenges, focused practice in smaller sections is recommended, allowing for mastery of coordination and phrasing nuances.

To effectively tackle the challenges in "Writing's On The Wall," consider the following detailed practice strategies:

• Hands Separately: Start by isolating the left-hand parts (for instance, bars 1-8). Focus on maintaining a steady tempo while playing the repeated figures, ensuring that they do not overpower the right-hand melody.
• Use of Metronome: Employ a metronome to solidify rhythmic accuracy, particularly in bars 11 and 16. Begin at a slower tempo, then incrementally increase as confidence builds.
• Phrasing Techniques: For emotional expression, practice shaping the phrases within bars 13-16. Utilize techniques such as dynamic crescendos and decrescendos to create contrast throughout the melody.
• Regular Review: Periodically revisit challenging sections to monitor progress and ensure that the technical skills developed are being effectively applied.

By dissecting this composition into manageable segments and employing targeted practice techniques, musicians will not only navigate through its complexities but also enhance their overall pianistic ability and musicality.

"Writing's On The Wall" is undeniably a powerful piece that demands both technical skill and emotional expression, making it an invaluable addition to any pianist's repertoire.

"Writing's On The Wall" - Piano Sheet Music Analysis

1. Musical Appreciation:

"Writing's On The Wall," composed by Sam Smith, is captivating in its harmonic progressions and lyrical expression, crafted in the key of Ab Major. The piece features a consistent 4/4 time signature with a moderate tempo of 66 BPM, which adds to its reflective character.

Throughout the composition, we observe a rich interplay between various harmonic progressions, primarily featuring the chords I (Ab), vi (Fmin), IV (Db), and V (Eb). For instance, in the sections around bars 1-4, the movement between these chords creates a sense of emotional elevation, mirroring the lyrical themes of love and longing.

One notable aspect of the score is the consistent presence of ostinato patterns in the left-hand accompaniment, particularly from bars 5-16, where the consistent rhythmic structure underpins the melodic line effectively. The right-hand melodies are characterized by expressive phrases that incorporate both stepwise motion and occasional leaps, like in bar 9-10, where ascending sequences enrich the melodic texture.

The use of both syncopated rhythms and sustained notes throughout also adds to the piece's fluidity. Special attention to articulation and dynamics will greatly impact the interpretation, especially between the contrasting sections which alternate between delicately soft passages and more powerful crescendos.

Writing's On The Wall

• Artist
  Sam Smith
• Number of imitations:
  132
• Genre
  Sam Smith
• Key
  Ab
• Tempo
  66
• Pages
  4
• Notation
  Sam Smith
• Compose
  Sam Smith
• Introduction
  Writing's On The Wall' - Sam Smith, This music is undefined, arr. by Sam Smith, Suitable for all students to learn