Solo Guitar: I Could Write A Book

 

A Solo Guitar Take on I Could Write a Book

You made it to the end of the month—congratulations! And what better way to mark the occasion than with another solo guitar session? No backing tracks, no loopers—just me, my guitar, and a timeless jazz standard.

Today’s tune is I Could Write a Book, a classic from the powerhouse songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. If you’ve ever opened a Real Book, you know their names well. They were a true songwriting dynasty, writing music for 28 musicals and over 500 songs—many of which have become jazz standards.

Written in 1940 for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, I Could Write a Book was first performed by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. The song quickly gained traction outside of the theater, thanks to recordings by icons like Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and Vince Guaraldi. But if you’re more of a movie buff than a jazz historian, you might recognize this tune from When Harry Met Sally. Harry Connick Jr.’s version helped reintroduce the song to a modern audience in the late ’80s and early ’90s. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ve heard this song—it’s woven into the soundtrack of one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time.

I love this tune. The melody is lyrical and rich, perfect for solo guitar. The way Rodgers’ harmony moves underneath Hart’s heartfelt lyrics (even though I won’t be singing them) makes it an absolute joy to play.

For today’s session, I’m keeping things casual—no tie, just my Timex Easy Reader and my trusty Ibanez AF75. These solo guitar sessions have been a great way to challenge myself, expand my repertoire, and share some of my favorite tunes with you all.

If you’ve been enjoying these, be sure to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more. Now, grab your evening drink, settle in, and let’s get into I Could Write a Book. CLICK HERE

JS
 jonshields.org
 guitarbook.org


*note - part or all of this article may have been written with AI.

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