Here And Now: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

Vandross's catalog offers pianists and singers access to some of the most lyrical, harmonically rich pop ballads in the repertoire. Teaching from his lead sheets builds interpretive skills while exposing students to professional-grade arranging and the nuance required to serve a melody that lives at the intersection of soul and sophistication.

Warm, intimate, and emotionally direct. The song carries the feeling of a private conversation, with harmonies that suggest both vulnerability and vocal confidence.

Pianists studying contemporary ballad accompaniment and singers working on legit pop repertoire for auditions or recitals will find this valuable. It's equally useful for jazz vocalists expanding their standards vocabulary with songs from the last forty years.

• Pay close attention to the chord extensions and substitutions; Vandross arrangements typically layer ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords that deserve space and clarity rather than rushed voice leading.
• Let the vocal line breathe. This ballad rewards phrasing that mirrors speech patterns rather than mechanical rhythmic precision.
• Balance the left hand accompaniment so it supports without overwhelming the melody. The arrangement likely features jazz-influenced comping that works best when it listens to the vocalist.

Feature this in a contemporary music concert or jazz ensemble set where it can anchor a program section on modern songwriting. It pairs well alongside classic standards, offering students a chance to experience how Vandross synthesized soul, jazz, and pop traditions.

• Reading jazz chord notation and extensions
• Vocal phrasing across jazz and popular idioms
• Accompanying a melody with rhythmic flexibility
• Interpreting harmonic color in soul and R&B contexts