Come Rain Or Come Shine: Solo Guitar

Laurence Juber's arrangement captures the elegance of this standard while giving the solo guitarist genuine musical substance to work with. The five-page treatment respects the song's lyrical architecture while providing enough textural variety to keep the performance engaging without overshadowing the melody.

Warm and conversational, with the reflective quality of a musician thinking through a familiar melody in a quiet moment. The arrangement balances the sophistication of jazz harmony with the straightforward emotional directness the lyric demands.

Intermediate to advanced guitarists looking for accessible yet musically substantive solo repertoire from the songbook tradition. Teachers seeking a bridge piece that introduces students to standards without requiring a full ensemble or vocalist.

• Shape the melody with dynamic nuance rather than mechanical uniformity; Arlen's songwriting rewards singers and instrumentalists who respect the natural phrasing of the lyric even in instrumental contexts.
• Let the accompaniment breathe around the melody line instead of filling every rhythmic moment, which preserves the song's inherent sophistication.
• Approach harmonic movement deliberately so chord changes register clearly, especially important in a jazz standard where listeners often know the tune well.

Include this in a recital showcasing American songbook interpretations, or assign it as a solo vehicle for a student guitarist who needs material that combines technical accessibility with interpretive depth. It also works well as a musical palate cleanser between more demanding classical or contemporary works.

• Balancing melody and harmonic accompaniment in a single-line context
• Interpreting jazz standards with appropriate phrasing and rubato
• Managing dynamic shape across longer musical phrases
• Reading and executing chord-informed jazz voicings on guitar