Looking for Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust sheet music and related piano/vocal/guitar arrangements? This guide identifies five beginner-friendly to intermediate collections best suited for different players, from fans of Carmichael’s classic standards to ensemble performers. Each entry notes who it’s best for and why it stands out, plus a practical limitation to consider. Whether you’re a longtime admirer or a student compiling repertoire, these selections help you access Stardust and other Carmichael favorites in clear notation and playable arrangements.
| Product | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| The Hoagy Carmichael Centennial Collection | Piano/Vocal/Guitar | Intermediate players seeking a broad standard repertoire |
| The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook | Piano/Vocal/Guitar | Collectors and performers needing many Carmichael tunes |
| Hoagy Carmichael – Easy Piano Songbook | Easy Piano | Beginning players building Carmichael repertoire |
| The Greatest Showman – Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook | Piano/Vocal/Guitar | Ensemble players seeking modern soundtrack material |
| Alternative Rock Sheet Music Collection | Piano/Vocal/Guitar | Students seeking diverse PVG practice |
The Hoagy Carmichael Centennial Collection
Format: Piano/Vocal/Guitar; 56 standards arranged for standard notation. This collection offers a broad survey of Hoagy Carmichael’s work, including Stardust, mapped to a straightforward piano arrangement. Best for players who want a substantial Carmichael library in one volume and enjoy standard notation for sight-reading practice. The inclusion of vocal and guitar parts makes it suitable for small ensembles or solo performers who accompany themselves. A potential limitation is the breadth of content, which may be more than casual players need if you’re only after Stardust.
The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook
Format: Piano/Vocal/Guitar; 152 pages with 35 songs by Hoagy Carmichael. This book is ideal for performers who want a larger suite of Carmichael tunes, including Stardust, with fingerings and arrangements that support voice and guitar parts. It’s best for intermediate players who perform or study Carmichael’s catalog in depth. A limitation is that some pieces may assume intermediate piano technique, which could be challenging for beginners.
Hoagy Carmichael – Easy Piano Songbook
Format: Easy Piano; marketed as a beginner-friendly collection. This book is best for early-stage players who want to learn Stardust and other Carmichael pieces with simplified arrangements. It’s suitable for self-taught learners or students transitioning into standard notation. The limitation is that simplified arrangements may omit some musical nuances found in more advanced editions.
Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Volume I and II Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook
Format: Piano/Vocal/Guitar; 26 classic pop/rock songs in a single collection. While not a Hoagy Carmichael book, it provides PVG arrangements for a broad audience, useful for players expanding their repertoire beyond Carmichael. This edition is best for performers who want a price-accessible anthology that covers multiple artists. A limitation is that it does not focus on Carmichael’s Stardust or the Carmichael catalog specifically.
Alternative Rock Sheet Music Collection – 2nd Edition
Format: Piano/Vocal/Guitar; 40 hits with lyrics and chord symbols. This collection is best for students seeking a mix of PVG pieces to practice rhythm, chords, and melody in a contemporary context. It’s suitable for singers and players who want to practice chord frames in a PVG format. A caution is that it does not center on Hoagy Carmichael material, so Stardust-specific content may be limited.
The Greatest Showman – Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook
Format: Piano/Vocal/Guitar; 9 songs from the movie soundtrack. Although not Hoagy Carmichael material, this book provides PVG arrangements for intermediate players and can be useful for performers who want modern, cinematic pieces in a similar arrangement style. The limitation is the lack of Stardust and Carmichael-specific content.
Buying Guide
- Which edition fits your playing level? Easy Piano editions suit beginners; Centennial and Songbook volumes serve intermediate players and above with broader Carmichael repertoires.
- Are you shopping for a solo musician or a small ensemble? For solo pianists, choose PVG or piano-only arrangements; for groups, select editions with vocal and guitar parts to accompany others.
- How broad should the Carmichael catalog be? If Stardust is a central goal, prioritize the Centennial Collection and The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook for the most Stardust-inclusive content.
- Do you prefer standard notation or simplified arrangements? Standard notation offers fidelity to the original tunes, while easy piano versions help beginners learn the melodies with minimal complexity.
- How important are additional artists in the same book? If you want variety, including a broader PVG anthology can be helpful, but it may dilute Stardust-specific content.
Practical tips for buyers
- Check the included keys and transposition options if you accompany a vocalist with a specific vocal range.
- Look for edition notes that indicate pedagogical features such as fingerings, suggested tempos, or rehearsal marks.
- Consider whether you want a hardcover or softcover edition, depending on how heavily you’ll use the book.
FAQ
- Which book should I start with for Stardust? The Hoagy Carmichael Centennial Collection is a solid starting point for Stardust along with a broad Carmichael catalog in standard notation.
- Are these books suitable for beginners? Hoagy Carmichael – Easy Piano Songbook is designed for beginners, while the other Carmichael editions may suit intermediate players.
- Do the Songbooks include vocal lines? Yes, Piano/Vocal/Guitar editions typically include vocal melodies and chords.
- Can I find Stardust-specific arrangements in all these books? Stardust appears in most Carmichael-focused volumes, especially in the Centennial Collection and The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook.
- Should I buy multiple editions? If you want breadth of Carmichael tunes, purchase both the Centennial Collection and The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook to maximize Stardust repertoire.
- Are there any notes about condition or edition quality? Look for edition notes such as “standard notation” and “piano/vocal/guitar” to ensure you’re getting the arrangement format you expect; some editions may be described as easy or beginner-friendly.