Best Of My Love: E-Z Play Today

This arrangement captures the warmth and approachability that made the original a crossover hit without demanding virtuosic technique from your pianists. The four pages give students a complete, singable piece that works equally well for solo performance or as an accompaniment to student vocalists, making it a practical choice for recitals, assemblies, or pop repertoire units.

Warm, affirming, and utterly sincere. The song unfolds with the kind of steady confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you want to say and trusting your ability to say it. There's a smoothness here that makes contentment feel luxurious rather than sentimental.

This works for intermediate pianists who are ready to tackle rhythm section grooves and pop arranging conventions without needing classical training. It's equally suited to students building repertoire for jazz and contemporary music programs, or anyone developing comfort with soul and R&B idioms on the piano.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the funk-inflected accompaniment in the left hand; this groove carries the piece, so spend rehearsal time locking it in before adding melody work
• Balance the melody so it sits above the comping without overshadowing the harmonic movement that gives the song its emotional weight
• Shape the dynamics gradually across phrases rather than maintaining a static level; let the love song's sincerity breathe through subtle crescendos and releases

Include it in a pop repertoire showcase, pair it with other love songs across genres for a Valentine's program, or use it as a bridge between classical technique study and contemporary music literacy. The approachable four-page length makes it ideal for students preparing multiple pieces in a single season.

• Reading and executing consistent rhythmic figures in the left hand (funk-influenced accompaniment patterns)
• Balancing melody and harmony in contemporary arrangements
• Interpreting R&B and soul piano conventions
• Shaping phrasing within a grooved framework