How Does Using Chord Symbols Give You Musical Freedom? Try Norwegian Wood
- Diana Mascari
- Sep 27, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 8
Reading the Black Dots
Everyone knows that playing classical music requires a pianist to read the "black dots" on the page-and for good reason.
Composers of what is called concert music write all of the notes, dynamics, articulation marks and words of musical expression on a musical score.
And that they should! Why? Because the goal of the composer is to create and write down (or use the computer) her musical ideas in such a way as to HELP pianists to express those ideas.
My Experiences of Hearing Ensembles Play My Compositions
This makes perfect sense. I composed concert music for 16 years, first with a pencil and later with the computer. Once a piece was finished, I'd listen to a performance by an orchestra, a chamber ensemble, or a choral group and see how close they got to expressing the music I composed.
What the Famous Composers Did
Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Ravel and so many others did the same. Performances might vary, but let's face it. Every time you hear the Moonlight Sonata, you recognize it. There is one thing that might surprise you though. All of these composers improvised (not in a jazz style, but in their own style of the period). That's how they were able to compose great works of music. They KNEW the chords.
The Student Who Was Tired of Written Arrangements of Songs
At the risk of repeating myself, I'll tell you about the student I had who bought 5 arrangements of the song Misty. She liked parts of each version, but not one of them satisfied her musical taste. That's when she came to me and said, "there must be a better way to play songs." And that there is: use the chord symbols to arrange a song YOUR way.
Playing Pop Songs in a Way That Should Sound Like the Recording
When I was performing commercial music on the Holiday Inn circuit, my group was expected to play the same songs people were hearing on the radio—the so-called “Top 40.” Our band was small: me on electric piano, a guitarist who also sang, and a drummer who shared the lead vocals. The challenge was that most audiences wanted groups to “sound like the record.”
With the limited size and instrumentation of our band, that simply wasn’t possible. Instead, we learned to arrange the songs in our own way, keeping the spirit of the originals while adapting them to what we could actually perform. A friend of mine played in a band that tried a different approach: they added prerecorded tracks to fill out the sound. Even then, they never really achieved the polished feel of the record, though they came closer than we did.
The Song is the Record vs. The Song is the Song
Pulitzer Prize–winning composer John Harbison once observed, “today’s pop songs are the record, while songs from the Great American Songbook are the song.”
What he meant is simple but profound. Many of the timeless standards and Broadway tunes stand on their own. They have strong melodies, memorable lyrics, and distinctive harmonies that remain recognizable no matter how you play them. That’s why jazz musicians, cabaret singers, and pianists can perform the same song in completely different styles, and the song still shines through.
By contrast, much of today’s popular music depends heavily on the specific recording—the production, the rhythm track, the vocal effects. Without those exact elements, the song can feel incomplete.
So here’s the question: why limit yourself to a rigid, note-for-note rendition of a great standard? Instead, you can use the chord symbols as your roadmap, open the door to interpretation, and create your own expressive, professional-sounding version of a piece you love.
Here’s What Happens When You Work from Chord Symbols
Take one of my longtime favorites—Norwegian Wood by the Beatles. Using the chord symbols as my guide, I created an arrangement that weaves together four different accompaniment styles. The result is just one interpretation of this classic tune.
Your version might sound completely different—and that’s exactly the point! When you start with chord symbols, you gain the freedom to explore, experiment, and shape the music in a way that reflects your own voice. That flexibility is what transforms a familiar song into something fresh, personal, and deeply expressive.
Diana Mascari Performs Her Arrangement of Norwegian Wood
Wondering How Playing with Chord Symbols Can Help You Transform Your Piano Playing?
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Ready to Begin Your Piano Playing Journey?
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When you take composition lessons with me, you won’t just learn how to create your own musical works—you’ll also gain insights that make you a stronger, more confident pianist. Composing and playing naturally enrich one another, opening new possibilities at the keyboard and beyond.
It’s time to explore your creativity!
Whether you’re just beginning or returning to music after years away, I’ll help you transform understanding into creativity and confidence. Together we’ll talk about piano lessons, composition lessons, and your personal musical interests and goals.
tiAbout Diana Mascari
American Composer & Jazz Pianist
Teacher of Piano & Composition for Adults
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