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Intermediate tenor sax sheet music for "I'd Rather Be Lonely" by B.J. Thomas, in F♯ minor at about 167 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Tenor Sax Sheet Music for "I'd Rather Be Lonely" by B.J. Thomas

Preview of the intermediate tenor sax sheet music arrangement for “I'd Rather Be Lonely” by B.J. Thomas.

I'd Rather Be Lonely by B.J. Thomas
Tenor Sax Sheet Music

B♭ transposingTreble clefMid-staff range

The tenor sax part reads from treble clef, arranged to sit naturally for the instrument. It is a B♭ transposing instrument.

Difficulty

Intermediate

For players comfortable with the basics.

Inside the music
Signature

Music DNA

Genrepop · soft rock · adult contemporary
Moodmelancholic · lonely · yearning
Signaturelonely pop ballad with a soft rock feel
F♯ minor
Key
167
BPM
3/4
Time
Chords

The progression

A
A♭m
F♯m
B7
E
C♯m
E7
C♯7
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroVersePre-chorusChorusVersePre-chorusChorusBridgeFinal chorusOutro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

acoustic guitar
gentle, fingerpicked arpeggios providing the harmonic foundation
string section
lush, sustained pads and subtle counter-melodies that add depth and emotional weight
electric bass
warm, round, syncopated bassline driving the groove
piano
melancholic, sustained chords and occasional melodic fills that accentuate the vocal line
drums
soft, brushed snare and light hi-hat pattern keeping a steady, understated pulse
Album & artist
ALBUM

Anthology, Vol. 1 (2012)

A 25-track compilation drawing from Thomas's catalog, pulling together highlights from his pop, country, and Christian recordings. It serves as a broad look at his output across multiple decades.

All of Anthology, Vol. 1
Artist

B.J. Thomas

B.J. Thomas (1942-2021) was a singer from Hugo, Oklahoma who worked across pop, country, and contemporary Christian music over a career spanning six decades. He placed hits on all three charts, with songs like "Hooked on a Feeling" (1968) and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (1969), the latter winning an Academy Award and later being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. His voice leaned toward a warm, mellow tone that fit comfortably in both soft rock and country-pop.

All B.J. Thomas songs
How it works

From a recording to your part in three steps

  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

    Paste a YouTube link or upload an audio file, the studio cut, a live take, or a cover.

  2. Step 2
    We transcribe it

    Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for tenor sax, at your chosen level.

  3. Step 3
    Play & export

    Read it on screen, transpose, slow it down, and export the sheet music when it feels right.

Ready to play it?

Start from any recording, your tenor sax sheet music in minutes.

FAQ

Good to know

What key is "I'd Rather Be Lonely" in?

"I'd Rather Be Lonely" by B.J. Thomas is in F♯ minor.

What is the tempo of "I'd Rather Be Lonely"?

"I'd Rather Be Lonely" plays at around 167 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chords are in "I'd Rather Be Lonely"?

The core progression is A, A♭m, F♯m, B7, E, and C♯m, built around the F♯ minor tonal center.

What instruments play on "I'd Rather Be Lonely"?

The recording features acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, piano, and string section.

Can I get "I'd Rather Be Lonely" tenor sax sheet music?

Yes. This is the intermediate tenor sax sheet music arrangement of "I'd Rather Be Lonely" by B.J. Thomas, transcribed by Songscription.

Is "I'd Rather Be Lonely" tenor sax sheet music easy to play?

"I'd Rather Be Lonely" tenor sax sheet music comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 167 BPM in F♯ minor with 20 chords to navigate, the part leans toward the harder end. You can switch levels on this page before you save it.

Is there an easy, beginner version of "I'd Rather Be Lonely" tenor sax sheet music?

Yes. The beginner tenor sax sheet music for "I'd Rather Be Lonely" simplifies the busiest passages and rhythms while keeping the melody, so it is the easiest way to start. The intermediate and advanced arrangements are one tap away when you want more of the original.

What album is "I'd Rather Be Lonely" on?

"I'd Rather Be Lonely" appears on Anthology, Vol. 1 (2012).

How does Songscription turn a song into sheet music?

Give it a recording, a YouTube link or an audio file, and its AI transcribes that performance into notation for the instrument and level you choose.

Can I get sheet music for a live or cover version?

Yes. The score is generated from whatever recording you pick, so a live take, a remix, or a cover each match that exact performance.

What instruments and formats are available?

Piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, sax, bass, drums, vocals and more, as standard sheet music, a piano roll, or guitar tabs.

Is Songscription free to use?

You can try it free, with no credit card needed.

Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?

Yes. You get a downloadable PDF, plus in-app playback and the option to transpose or adjust the arrangement before you print.

How accurate is the transcription?

It is produced by AI trained on millions of bars of music, and you can play it back and fine-tune any details before you download.

Is this transcription licensed?

Yes. We have licensed this track from its publisher, so we are permitted to transcribe it and provide the sheet music to you.

Transcribed from licensed catalogs by AI trained on millions of bars of music.

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