Charade (from "Charade"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures Mercer's remarkable range in a single volume: the playful swing of 'Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive,' the nocturnal sophistication of 'One for My Baby,' and the aching beauty of 'Moon River' all sit alongside each other. Piano and vocal students gain access to 46 of the most teachable standards in the American songbook, each one a masterclass in how lyrical content shapes musical interpretation.

These songs embody the spirit of mid-twentieth-century American songwriting: sophisticated yet approachable, witty yet sincere, rooted in jazz language but accessible to audiences everywhere. Whether you're playing the dreamy elegance of 'Autumn Leaves' or the swinging energy of 'G.I. Jive,' each arrangement carries the craftsmanship and warmth that Mercer brought to every lyric he wrote.

This book serves pianists and vocalists learning the standards repertoire, as well as guitarists seeking accessible arrangements with proper chord notation. It's equally valuable for music students building jazz and popular music literacy and for performers looking to expand their recital programs with authentic, professionally arranged versions of beloved classics.

• Study the lyrics before diving into the melody. Mercer's words move with such precision that understanding the scansion and emotional arc of each phrase transforms how you shape the vocal line and breathe.
• Use the chord frames to explore different voicings on guitar. These standards benefit enormously from reharmonization, and the printed chords serve as a springboard rather than a limit.
• Listen to classic vocal recordings of these songs (Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole) to hear how different singers approach the same lyrical material. Each performer reveals different colors in the text.
• Balance the piano accompaniment so it supports rather than overwhelms the voice. These are singer-centered songs, and the piano should provide harmonic grounding and subtle rhythmic direction.

Program individual selections from this collection alongside other standards to build an evening of American song, or use it as a resource for recitals spanning multiple styles and moods. Voice students can build an audition repertoire with pieces that showcase legit singing, jazz sensibility, and lyrical storytelling. For piano students, these arrangements provide bridge material between classical technique and improvisation-friendly jazz standards.

• Reading piano/vocal/guitar chord notation and sight-reading with chord frames
• Phrasing and interpretation guided by lyrical content and poetic meter
• Jazz-inflected harmony and voice-leading in popular song arrangements
• Balancing vocal and instrumental parts to center the singer in ensemble
• Understanding the relationship between conversational language and melodic rhythm in American songwriting