Isn't It A Pity?: E-Z Play Today

This song sits in that rare category where simplicity and sophistication coexist. The melody is memorable enough for a beginning student to sing immediately, yet the harmonic movement and jazz-inflected chords demand real musicality. Barbra Streisand's iconic recording established how generous and spacious this tune can be when given room to breathe.

There's a bittersweet tenderness to this piece. The melody reaches plaintively, supported by chords that color every phrase with wistfulness. The overall effect is intimate and reflective, as if you're eavesdropping on someone processing a loss they're trying to understand.

Pianists working on jazz standards, American songbook repertoire, or Broadway interpretation will find this a rewarding study. It's accessible enough for intermediate students but offers enough harmonic and stylistic nuance to challenge advancing players. Directors building a contemporary or musical theater program can use this as a solo or ensemble feature.

• Let the left hand establish the harmonic foundation without overwhelming the vocal line. George's chord progressions are the point; make sure they're audible without competing.
• Find the conversational quality in the phrasing. This is a lament, not a belted declaration. Space between phrases matters as much as the notes themselves.
• Approach key modulations with clear voice leading so listeners sense the harmonic journey rather than hearing abrupt shifts.

This works beautifully as a solo feature in a cabaret-style concert or a Broadway-themed program. It pairs well with other Gershwin material or with American standards from the same era. Consider it for a mid-program moment where you want to shift the energy toward something more introspective.

• Interpreting jazz harmonies and understanding chord extensions
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in songs with sophisticated harmony
• Phrasing lyrical material with sensitivity and space
• Sight-reading three pages of Broadway-style notation
• Connecting pianist accompaniment to the emotional arc of a song