I Wish: E-Z Play Today

This arrangement captures the warmth and optimism of Wonder's original while keeping the keyboard part grounded and playable. Piano students get to inhabit a genuinely sophisticated harmonic landscape without the complications that come with jazz-inflected pop standards.

Warm, intimate, and quietly joyful. The arrangement invites reflection without demanding drama. There's a gentle insistence in the melody that makes you want to listen closely.

Pianists progressing beyond early intermediate repertoire who want to develop their touch and phrasing in a song-focused context. This works well for students building confidence with contemporary music that demands musicianship alongside technical competence.

• Pay attention to the rhythm section's feel; the groove sits slightly behind the beat, so lock in with the left hand before shaping phrases with the right.
• The melody benefits from singing it first, away from the instrument. Wonder's phrasing often lands on unexpected beats, and your fingers will follow your voice more naturally than they follow notation alone.
• Keep the accompaniment texture light and responsive rather than mechanically even. This song asks for quiet enthusiasm, not percussive precision.

Consider this for a solo recital where you want to shift the mood toward accessibility and genuine emotion. It also serves as a bridge piece between classical studies and popular music, showing students that great melodies transcend genre boundaries.

• Phrasing and rubato within a groove-based context
• Left-hand independence and comping patterns
• Interpreting contemporary music notation
• Balance between melodic singing and harmonic support