Mood Indigo: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection pairs one of America's greatest songwriters with a resource that actually serves the working musician. Having 75 standards in one book means your students encounter repertoire across moods, tempos, and harmonic complexity without hunting through fragmented sources. The inclusion of chord symbols makes it accessible whether you're training classically trained pianists to comp or helping vocalists understand the harmonic architecture beneath their melodies.

These songs carry the warmth and sophistication of mid-20th century American songwriting. Whether you're singing a tender ballad like 'Misty' or a swinging novelty like 'The Chicken Dance,' each piece reflects a distinct era and sensibility. The collection balances jazz standards with popular classics and folk traditions, creating a resource that feels both curated and genuinely comprehensive.

This collection serves vocalists building a jazz and standards repertoire, pianists accompanying singers, and anyone preparing for auditions, recitals, or casual performance situations where the American songbook matters. Guitarists can use the chord charts for comping or arranging; pianists will find both the melody line and functional accompaniment they need.

• Pay attention to Ellington's voicings in the chord symbols. They often deviate from textbook progressions; playing them exactly as written teaches your ears something genuine about how jazz harmony functions.
• When accompanying a vocalist, the piano part is not a reduction. Treat it as a conversation partner; your phrasing and harmonic support can shift the emotional weight of each song.
• These standards reward rubato and space. Resist the urge to fill every silence; sometimes the power lies in what you don't play between phrases.
• Transpose strategically for your vocalist or soloist. Many of these songs were written for specific voices; finding the right key makes the difference between a competent reading and a compelling performance.

Build a recital around selections from this book; the breadth means you can program a coherent set that moves between moods without feeling disjointed. Use it as a core reference for any student preparing for jazz ensemble, vocal jazz, or standards-based performance contexts. Private studios will find it especially valuable for meeting students where they are stylistically while building foundational musicianship.

• Reading and interpreting chord symbols for comping and harmonic understanding
• Sight-reading melodies across varied phrase structures and harmonic contexts
• Interpreting rubato and swing rhythm in jazz and popular contexts
• Arranging and transposing standards to fit voices and instruments
• Understanding American songwriting conventions and harmonic language
• Balancing melody and accompaniment as an ensemble partnership