Ain't Misbehavin': Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures the essence of what makes the Great American Songbook so teachable: strong melodies, accessible chord changes, and built-in audience appeal that crosses every demographic. The 20 selections span jazz standards, Hollywood themes, and novelty tunes, giving you flexibility to program by mood, difficulty, or historical period without reaching for multiple sources.

Elegant, relaxed, and irresistibly groovy. These standards capture a moment in American musical history when sophistication and fun went hand in hand, delivering that sophisticated-yet-approachable quality that makes these songs perform so well at recitals, cabarets, and community events. The arrangements respect the original spirit while giving you room to bring your own interpretation.

Pianists and singer-pianists working in jazz or standards settings, music theater performers building their repertoire, and accompanists who need reliable, singable arrangements of evergreen material. This collection also suits educators looking to introduce students to swing-era harmony and authentic swing rhythm in a performance-ready format.

• Anchor the left hand stride patterns or walking bass figures that anchor these arrangements; they're essential to the swing feel rather than mere accompaniment.
• Respect the chord symbols as harmonic guides rather than fixed voicings; adjust upper extensions and inversions based on your comfort level and the room's acoustics.
• Phrase lyrics conversationally, treating the melody as speech first and then shaping it musically, which is how these songs were meant to feel.
• Balance vocalist and pianist as equal partners; these arrangements work best when both parts breathe together and react to dynamic shifts.

Select groups of three or four to create a themed jazz or standards set within a larger concert; "At Last," "Misty," and "The Shadow of Your Smile" pair naturally as a romantic set, while "Take Five," "Orange Colored Sky," and "Straighten Up and Fly Right" offer lighter mood. Individual songs also work as cabaret material, audition repertoire, or classroom examples of authentic jazz voicing and phrasing.

• Reading and playing swing rhythms and syncopation
• Interpreting chord symbols with voice-leading and jazz voicings
• Coordinating melodic phrasing between voice and piano accompaniment
• Understanding stride piano and walking bass patterns in an applied context
• Developing interpretive choices within a standard harmonic framework