The piano scores used for the original sheet music of these folk songs,
hymns, and spirituals of the 1800s were purposely made simple in order to
sell as many copies as possible. The idea being that if someone in every family
could read the most basic piano score, then the rest of the family could gather
around the piano (usually an inexpensive upright) and sing along in the days
before records, cassette tapes, CDs, Radio, Television, iPods, YouTube etc.
Nowadays, the few people who can sight-read at the piano are more
musically literate, often being able to read and play classical compositions by
Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. They, therefore,
deserve more interesting and rewarding arrangements of these wonderful
musical treasures of the 1800s.
Furthermore, since these arrangements for piano and voice can also be
played as piano solos, the piano scores are designed to be of enjoyable musical
interest on their own; that is, "orchestrated" for the piano as if they were
sketches for an ensemble of instruments.
These arrangements can also be considered theatrical improvisations on
the original sheet music. Following the best improvisational guidelines, they
are based on 1) the implications of the title; 2) the meaning and words of the
lyrics; 3) the melody; & 4) the harmonic pattern.
For example: "Oh, Susanna!" is obviously a humorous nonsense song and is
therefore arranged to sound carefree, jaunty, and joyful. Also, since the singer
refers to "my banjo on my knee," the piano arrangement imitates the sound of
a banjo as it is played for singing and dancing, strumming its rhythmic way
through the simple harmonic changes.
You can see and hear the music for most of these contemporary
arrangements on Sheet Music Plus and some also on YouTube. And if you wish
to play and/or sing along alone or with your friends or family, please do so.
Happy time travel!!!