Anything Goes: E-Z Play Today

This simplified arrangement strips away nothing essential from Cole Porter's melodic genius. Students encounter the bones of a timeless standard in a format that lets them focus on swing feel and voice leading rather than wrestling with dense voicings. Piano students benefit from learning how accompanists behind Sinatra's era thought about supporting a vocal line.

Buoyant and clever. The rhythm section breathes forward with Cole Porter's clever rhymes and surprising harmonic turns. There's an undercurrent of confidence here, a sense that you know exactly where the tune is going and you're enjoying the ride.

Pianists developing comfort with swing standards and jazz accompaniment. Teachers introducing intermediate students to the American songbook and the specific demands of accompanying singers. Musicians preparing for jazz combos or standards-focused ensembles.

• Observe the swing eighths throughout. The relaxed feel here is what separates a performance from a reading.
• Support the melody without overwhelming it. This score gives you room to breathe and listen, which is exactly what a good accompanist does.
• Shape the phrasing in conversation with how a singer would breathe. Even without a vocalist present, pianists performing this should imagine the vocal line and phrase accordingly.
• Lock into a steady groove early in rehearsal and keep it consistent. The arrangement depends on rhythmic stability to land its wit and charm.

Pair this with other Sinatra-era standards to create a jazz or vocal recital set. Use it as a bridge between classical training and jazz repertoire for intermediate pianists transitioning into swing. Assign it as part of a unit on American songbook standards and the accompanist's role in shaping a performance.

• Swing rhythmic feel and eighth note interpretation
• Accompanying a melodic line with sensitive voice leading
• Navigating jazz harmony changes and chord substitutions
• Balancing support with artistic independence at the piano