Makin' Whoopee!: E-Z Play Today

The E-Z Play format strips away unnecessary complexity while keeping the swing and warmth of this classic intact. Students get to experience authentic jazz harmony and phrasing without drowning in technical notation, and the two-page length makes it realistic for learners to complete a full performance in a single practice session.

A wink and a smile wrapped in sophisticated harmony. The melody has all the playful charm of a 1920s romp, but the underlying chords pull it into supper club sophistication. It's the sound of knowing exactly what you're doing and having fun doing it.

Piano students ready to explore jazz standards without advanced music theory knowledge, intermediate players building swing phrasing skills, and any pianist looking for a quick, rewarding standard to perform at casual gigs or informal showcases.

• Keep the left hand swing feel consistent even when the right hand ornaments. The groove sits in the bass line.
• Shape the melody with slight rubato during the vocal phrases, but return to time for the rhythmic hits.
• Lean into the blues inflections in the harmony; this tune thrives on character, not precision.

Pair this with other jazz standards in the E-Z Play series to create a "Standards Sampler" recital or informal performance. It works particularly well as a second-semester piece for intermediate students, offering them a taste of authentic jazz repertoire without the steep sight-reading demands of a lead sheet.

• Jazz swing rhythm and phrasing
• Extended harmonic voicings (sevenths and ninths)
• Comping patterns behind a melody
• Call-and-response between hands
• Lyrical rubato within a jazz context