Do I Do: E-Z Play Today

This song gives students a chance to play something they actually know and love without sacrificing real musical content. The E-Z Play reduction keeps the core groove and chord changes intact, making it accessible for intermediate players while staying true to the song's funky backbone.

Smooth and rhythmically playful, with a relaxed but deliberate funk sensibility. The piece settles into a comfortable groove that encourages locked-in ensemble playing if used with a band, or a confident, groove-aware solo interpretation at the keyboard.

Intermediate pianists who want to expand beyond classical repertoire and explore contemporary styles with real musicianship demands. Students in jazz or commercial music programs, and any pianist looking to build fluency in soul and funk grooves.

• Lock into the groove rather than playing metronomically. Wonder's music breathes; let the left hand pocket the bass line slightly behind the beat to create that signature laid-back feel.
• Pay close attention to the chord voicings and extensions. Soul music lives in the color of the harmony, not just the melody.
• Balance the melody so it sits above the accompaniment without dominating it. This is background music in the context of the song, and respecting that texture matters.

Program this on a pops or crossover concert to show students and audiences that contemporary repertoire belongs in formal settings. It works equally well as a warm-up or rehearsal tool for introducing soul music idioms across your ensemble.

• Reading and executing soul/funk groove patterns
• Voicing extended chords (7ths, 9ths) in context
• Playing behind the beat to create swing and pocket
• Translating melody-driven arrangements to keyboard-specific textures