Happy New Year!
On January 1, 2025 the Fats Waller song Ain't Misbehavin' came into the public domain! It's always exciting to have access to a new set of songs and pieces at the beginning of the year, and Ain't Misbehavin' is one of the most popular songs from the 1920s that people still love to sing, hear and play today. I have arranged it for intermediate piano, but will show you how to add rhythm if you're more advanced, and how to simplify it if you're a less experienced player.
This sheet music is only available for 1 year (through December 2025) so print today! Here is a demonstration of my arrangement of Ain't Misbehavin' as written:
If you are a more advanced piano player and would like to make Ain't Misbehavin' bouncier, watch my video on how to add some rhythm to my arrangement:
Ain't Misbehavin' is not a song for early beginners. The swing rhythm takes some practice if you are not used to it. In swing rhythm the eighth notes are played long-short long-short, in a lazy feel. I demonstrate how to play Swing Rhythm HERE. Swing Rhythm is introduced in my Upper Hands Piano, BOOK 1 on p.71 in the song, Erie Canal. In this simplified version of my Ain't Misbehavin' arrangement, you will play the swing melody with fewer bass notes. Give it a try here:
I hope you had a great holiday season and are ready to dedicate some focused piano practice this year. January and February are particularly productive months in which to get to our bench regularly. With the poorer weather (unless you live in the southern hemisphere!) and fewer travel plans, winter is a great time to make piano a daily practice. In the past I have suggested playing your piano/keyboard every day for at least 10 minutes, from January 15 to February 15. Even if we are busy, we can usually find10 minutes to play each day. You will be amazed at your progress if you play every day, even if it's for just 10 minutes. The brain learns best with daily exposure. So consider pledging to play for 10 minutes a day starting today, or at least by January 15th!
Did you know that I have written a series of instruction books for Adults over 50? They are great for beginners, or if you can read notes but never really learned about chords (Major, minor, diminished, augmented, and 6th and 7th chords), Upper Hands Piano teaches you all about them, in a way that everyone can understand. I hope you will consider looking at my Upper Hands Piano books on my website. Upper Hands Piano is written specifically for older adults with larger fonts and notes, lots of review and steady skill-building.
Stay well, warm and safe, and let us know if you are pledging to play the piano for at least 10 minutes every day! With love and music, Gaili