East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon): E-Z Play Today

Romantic and wistful. The tune unfolds with the longing of a classic ballad, rich with the warm harmonic colors that made this standard endure for decades. The two-page format keeps the performance intimate and manageable.

Early intermediate pianists ready to explore jazz standards with harmonic interest but without overwhelming technical demands. Solo performers building a jazz repertoire or pianists preparing for casual performance settings.

• Let the melody breathe. This tune has space built into it; resist the urge to fill every silence with accompaniment figures.
• Shape the phrases as you would sing them. The bridge has a natural swell; voice your chords to support that arc.
• Keep the tempo steady and conversational. This standard thrives in a relaxed swing feel, not a rushed one.

Feature this in a recital segment devoted to American songbook standards, or use it as a showcase for a pianist developing jazz repertoire within your music program. Its accessible length and character make it perfect for informal concerts or coffee hour performances.

• Reading jazz chord symbols and interpreting voicing suggestions
• Sustaining a singing line while maintaining rhythmic clarity in the left hand
• Balancing melody and accompaniment on a single instrument