August 3

2 comments

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE By Billy Joel

By Thomas Gunther

August 3, 2018

Jazz Piano, Pop Piano, Sheet Music

Piano Accompaniment Tutorial

Sorry, this post is currently under construction. Please check back again soon!

What you will learn as it relates to the song

  • How to accompany a singer or instrumentalist in pop-ballade style
  • How the chord progression works
  • A guide to how to create good sounding piano accompaniments in that style

About the song

The song Just The Way You Are is a famous pop ballad by Billy Joel. It features a beautiful chord progression that is worth analyzing. The colorful chords give the song an almost jazz like character.
The bottom line is that there is a lot we can learn from analyzing and learning this song.


Thomas Gunther

About the author

Born and raised in Germany, Thomas Gunther (in Germany known as Thommy Günther) is a versatile internationally active jazz pianist/keyboardist, music producer, and music educator.

Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart/Germany.
After moving to Chicago, he soon becomes the principal pianist with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Stan Kenton's music arranger/composer William Russo. With this group he had the pleasure of performing with world renown guest artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Sheep, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, Orbert Davis, etc.
Today he is an integrated part of the Chicago music scene performing with different groups as sideman and leader. He leads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus, and toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. 
He has produced, arranged, and recorded lots of music as a leader and sideman. He also offers music arranging and orchestration services for groups of all sizes, including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Thomas currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. Find out more about Thomas at https://www.ThomasGunther.com

  • Hallo Thomas

    Your cords to "Just the way your are" are stunning and the instructions as well. Would like a sheet with all the cords. Is it possible ? I could of course make screenprints when the screen changes, but it would be lovely to get them in one sheet.

    Anyway nice work and have a nice day over there.

    Would like to hear from you anyway.

    Grüsse von Kopenhagen

    • Hallo Carsten!
      Sorry for the delayed responds. Thank you so much for your kind words all the way from the beautiful city of Kopenhagen. Yes, I think this is a great suggestion. Give me a few days and I will make the pdf available to you under this post.I will email you when it’s there. Best wishes from Chicago!

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