I Concentrate On You: Lead Sheet

Porter's catalog reads like a masterclass in songwriting craft. These 22 standards showcase his signature harmonic sophistication and memorable hooks, making them ideal for singers developing jazz phrasing and pianists building their foundation in comping and voicing. Whether students are preparing auditions, learning to navigate lead sheets, or discovering why these tunes have endured for a century, this collection offers repertoire that rewards careful listening and repeated performance.

Sophisticated, urbane, and endlessly clever. Porter's melodies are luxurious and singable, yet his harmonies surprise you with chromatic movement and witty resolutions. These songs feel like walking through a glamorous, mid-century nightclub where every phrase carries both warmth and an undercurrent of clever irony.

Pianists and singers preparing jazz or musical theater repertoire will find this collection essential. It serves students building their knowledge of American standards, vocalists developing their ability to interpret a lead sheet independently, and instrumentalists learning to comp and improvise over changes that defined the jazz tradition.

• Approach the harmony with attention to Porter's chromatic voice leading and unexpected chord substitutions; mark your lead sheet with the implied voice movements to strengthen your accompaniment choices.
• Listen to multiple recorded interpretations (Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday) to hear how great singers navigate Porter's lyrics and phrasing; notice how they shape the rhythm within the song's structure rather than rushing.
• Use the chord symbols to explore comping textures on piano; Porter's standards reward both sparse, spacious playing and fuller voicings depending on the song's mood and tempo.
• Pay special attention to the lyrics and their relationship to the melodic contour; Porter often places syllabic emphasis in unexpected places that can shift how you interpret the rhythm.

Build a concert around American songbook standards by pairing these titles with instrumental jazz trio arrangements or featuring multiple singers in turn. Alternatively, use selections from this collection as accompaniment-optional recital or audition repertoire for voice and piano students throughout the year. These pieces work equally well in a formal concert setting or an informal salon-style performance.

• Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation (melody, chord symbols, form)
• Harmonic analysis of chromatic voice leading and jazz-influenced substitutions
• Piano comping and voicing choices over standard jazz changes
• Vocal phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within a structured song form
• Understanding lyrical content and how it informs musical interpretation