Make Believe (from Show Boat): E-Z Play Today

Make Believe captures everything that draws pianists to Broadway standards: a soaring, memorable melody paired with rich harmonic movement that feels sophisticated without being impenetrable. The E-Z Play Today arrangement strips away unnecessary complexity while keeping the emotional core intact, making it genuinely playable for intermediate pianists who want to sound polished and expressive.

Romantic and wistful, with an almost dreamy quality that reflects the song's role in the show's narrative. The melody has a gentle lift that invites legato playing and subtle rubato, creating an intimate atmosphere even in solo performance.

Pianists at the intermediate level who want accessible Broadway repertoire with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for students exploring theater music, accompanists preparing for singers, or performers building a standards-based recital program.

• Shape the melody line with careful attention to phrase length rather than note length; these longer melodic arcs need breath and direction to land with impact.
• Let the accompaniment breathe in the quieter moments, resisting the urge to fill every space. The spaces between phrases are part of the song's romantic character.
• Pay special attention to dynamic contrast when the melody returns or modulates, since subtlety here distinguishes a singer's interpretation from a casual run-through.

Include this in a Broadway or American songbook recital to show range beyond more commonly performed standards. It works beautifully as a prelude to a vocal performance or as part of a pops concert that celebrates theatrical music from the early golden age.

• Phrasing longer melodic lines with minimal rests
• Balancing melody and accompaniment texture
• Executing smooth harmonic transitions through jazz and theater changes
• Responding to lyrical content through dynamic and tempo flexibility