I Think Of You: E-Z Play Today

This standard sits at the sweet spot where jazz sensibility meets accessibility. Students encounter genuine harmonic language and the kind of lyrical phrasing that rewards careful listening, all without requiring advanced technical facility.

A moment of quiet reflection captured in three minutes. The song unfolds with the intimacy of someone confiding a thought, never rushing, with just enough harmonic sophistication to feel substantial without becoming complicated.

Pianists exploring jazz standards and singers building a foundational repertoire of American songbook classics. Intermediate students ready to tackle genuine harmonic movement and performers preparing auditions or recitals.

• Let the melody breathe. Sinatra's gift was knowing when not to sing, and that same principle applies to piano accompaniment. Space and silence matter as much as the notes you play.
• Shape the harmony through voicing choices. Rather than defaulting to root position chords, experiment with upper extensions and inversions that complement the vocal line.
• Anchor the left hand with a gentle rhythmic foundation. A light touch in the bass keeps the piece floating rather than pushing it forward; this creates the intimate quality the song demands.
• Pay attention to the lyric's emotional arc. Even as an instrumentalist, knowing what the words say helps you understand where the phrase is heading and how to support it.

Pair this with other standards to build a jazz program, or use it as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire in a mixed recital. Its modest length makes it ideal for students working on stylistic variety within a single performance.

• Reading jazz voicings and lead sheet notation
• Phrasing in a lyrical context without over-interpreting
• Managing tempo rubato while maintaining underlying pulse
• Interpreting chord symbols with harmonic awareness