Sarah McLachlan
A Pop-Piano Angel
Sarah McLachlan is renowned for her enchanting mezzo-soprano vocals
and tear-jerking ballads. The Canadian songstress is classically trained on
the piano, which features heavily in much of her music. Her hit single ‘Angel’,
inspired by the fatal overdose of fellow pop-rock pianist, Jonathon Melvoin, is
a truly beautiful piece to listen to and to learn. Many of McLachlan’s songs, like
those of numerous other pop composers, are relatively simple in terms of their
structure; using subtle variations on the classic four chord formula (root, fourth, fifth,
minor second) combined with resolution chords (such as sus 2 ).
Top tip
Keep pedaling
The key to mastering smooth
transitions between chords as
Sarah does so beautifully, is to
learn when to apply the sustain
pedal. In this practice piece,
lifting your foot at the start of
each bar will sustain the
harmonies and create a
deeper sound.Give it a try
Try the pop style with the music below