New songs might not be new

I’ve been learning to play “The Other Father’s Song” from the movie Coraline. It’s got some new things that I haven’t ever played before, but the chord progression is something I’ve played in a number of different keys. Not the exact chord progression, but I’ve played I vi IV and ii V I and IV V vi and all of the different combinations of chords in that song.

I’ve also played arpeggios in my right hand, and the accompaniment pattern of the chords.

What this all means is that even though it’s a new song for me to play, the patterns aren’t all new.

Many of the patterns are familiar.

And the more music you learn the more patterns become familiar.

The more music you learn, the more patterns you know.

ISJ