Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me): Lead Sheet / Fake Book

Ellington's songwriting gift shines through in this standard, which pairs an irresistible melody with the sophisticated harmonic changes that made his work so teachable. Pianists at all levels find something to sink their teeth into here, whether they're learning to navigate the chord changes or exploring how to voice the tune with elegance.

Playful yet elegant, the tune bounces with warmth and humor while the changes offer enough sophistication to keep your mind engaged. There's an underlying sweetness here that makes it rewarding to both play and hear.

Pianists and vocalists preparing jazz standards repertoire will find this lead sheet invaluable for daily work. It's equally useful for keyboard players supporting jazz ensembles or vocalists building their songbook with timeless material.

• Treat the melody as a singing line rather than a keyboard showpiece. The best performances serve the lyric and let the tune breathe.
• Experiment with the harmonic substitutions on repeat choruses. Ellington's changes reward reharmonization without losing the song's essential character.
• Balance comping and soloing so the tune remains centered. Even when you're improvising, remember that the songwriting is what draws listeners in.

Pair this with other Ellington standards in a jazz concert to highlight his compositional range, or use it as a vehicle for featuring a vocalist or piano soloist in a mixed ensemble program. It also serves beautifully as a teaching tool for how to interpret and embellish a melody while respecting its fundamental appeal.

• Reading and performing jazz lead sheets
• Navigating seventh chords and jazz harmonic progressions
• Improvising melodies over chord changes
• Balancing melody with accompaniment in jazz context
• Interpreting swing rhythm and phrasing