Library   /   Courses   /   It Had to Be You – Challenge 2

It Had to Be You – Challenge 2

Get instant access to the videos, sheet music, and backing tracks for this course with a PWJ membership!

Start Your Free Trial
Instructor
John Proulx
Challenge
Intermediate
01:22:47

This course will help you master It Had to Be You at the intermediate level.

First we’ll learn the lead sheet melody and guide tones. Next we’ll embellish the melody with chord pops & fills, and learn a pre-written solo. Finally, we’ll put the hands together and play a beautiful final arrangement!

Course Objectives
  • Memorize the lead sheet melody
  • Apply guide tones in the left hand
  • Embellish the melody with chord pops and fills
  • Learn a pre-written solo
  • Combine all these techniques for a final arrangement
Learning Focus
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

JP does it again !
I’ve been playing this song (badly) by ear for years ….i think that was a disadvantage to start with as I still have some bad ingrained habits that often reappear but John has set this out so well that it’s impossible not to be successful and enjoy yourself at the same time. Personally I love this approach to learning a song , it makes me feel that I could play almost any song if it was set out/taught like this . When I look at the lesson at the outset and see who is teaching it (JP) I just know that I’m going to enjoy it and end up with a version that I’ll happily continue to play in my limited repertoire going forward. This approach to teaching and the quality of the teacher alone make PWJ an absolute bargain. Thank you so much and long May this continue (no pun intended initially !)
Pushing my boundries!
Great look at a classic. My hands were stretched to new limits. I will be revisiting this one for awhile - especially the soloing section.
Great fun!
John is a master teacher and I love his solo arrangements. Keep up the good work!
Informative and So Much Fun!
I’m always amazed by all the information John includes in these courses. First he emphasizes the importance of the rhythm, and how the comping enhances it. Then he adds some harmonic analysis explaining the chord degrees, extensions, and alterations in relation to the melody. Finally he springboards you into improv with his techniques using chromatic approaches, and scales. He makes it so much fun! Thank you, John!
Excellent Course
Challenging course but worth the effort to learn right hand embellishments.

Course Lessons

1
It Had to Be You – Challenge 2 – Lesson 1
19:31

Lead Sheet

View lesson
2
It Had to Be You – Challenge 2 – Lesson 2
14:45

Left Hand Guide Tones

View lesson
3
It Had to Be You – Challenge 2 – Lesson 3
18:03

Right Hand

View lesson
4
It Had to Be You – Challenge 2 – Lesson 4
30:28

Hands Together & Improv Solo

View lesson
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

JP does it again !
I’ve been playing this song (badly) by ear for years ….i think that was a disadvantage to start with as I still have some bad ingrained habits that often reappear but John has set this out so well that it’s impossible not to be successful and enjoy yourself at the same time. Personally I love this approach to learning a song , it makes me feel that I could play almost any song if it was set out/taught like this . When I look at the lesson at the outset and see who is teaching it (JP) I just know that I’m going to enjoy it and end up with a version that I’ll happily continue to play in my limited repertoire going forward. This approach to teaching and the quality of the teacher alone make PWJ an absolute bargain. Thank you so much and long May this continue (no pun intended initially !)
Pushing my boundries!
Great look at a classic. My hands were stretched to new limits. I will be revisiting this one for awhile - especially the soloing section.
Great fun!
John is a master teacher and I love his solo arrangements. Keep up the good work!
Informative and So Much Fun!
I’m always amazed by all the information John includes in these courses. First he emphasizes the importance of the rhythm, and how the comping enhances it. Then he adds some harmonic analysis explaining the chord degrees, extensions, and alterations in relation to the melody. Finally he springboards you into improv with his techniques using chromatic approaches, and scales. He makes it so much fun! Thank you, John!
Excellent Course
Challenging course but worth the effort to learn right hand embellishments.
Related Courses
It Had To Be You – Challenge 1

This course will help you master It Had to Be You at the beginner level. We'll learn the right hand melody, left hand shells, and a few easy tricks to spice it up for a final arrangement.

It Had to Be You – Accompaniment 1

If you’ve ever been interested in piano accompaniment in a duo setting, then this workshop is for you! Using the great Isham Jones and Gus Kahn standard, “It Had to Be You”, we'll explore various accompanying techniques so you’ll sound like a pro!

It Had to Be You – Band Accompaniment 1

If you’ve ever been interested in piano accompaniment in a band setting, then this workshop is for you! Using the great Isham Jones and Gus Kahn standard, “It Had to Be You”, we will explore various band accompanying techniques so you’ll sound like a pro!

Join Us

Get instant access to this Course and other member features with a PWJ membership!

Guided Learning Tracks

View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels

Progress Tracking

Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress

Downloadable Resources

Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks

Community Forums

Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums

Become a better piano player today. Try us out completely free for 14 days!

Get Started