My Way: E-Z Play Today

The E-Z Play Today series removes barriers without sacrificing musicality, and this Sinatra selection gives students immediate access to a standard they hear everywhere. The simplified voicings still sit well under the hands and preserve the song's essential harmonic vocabulary, making it an ideal stepping stone toward full jazz standards.

Confident and introspective at once. The harmony walks a line between sophistication and approachability, with moments that breathe and moments that swing. There's warmth here, not cynicism.

Pianists building their standards repertoire without extensive jazz training, vocalists needing an accompaniment part that's accessible but musically legitimate, and ensemble pianists who want a reliable chart for casual performance settings.

• Treat the accompaniment rhythmically as a swing feel rather than strict time; listen to recordings to internalize the relaxed behind-the-beat phrasing that gives the tune its character.
• Balance the melody line with restrained left-hand comping so the tune stays conversational rather than bombastic.
• Pay attention to the emotional arc of the lyrics; Sinatra's genius was making every phrase feel like a confession, and your dynamics should reflect that intimacy.

Pair this with other American standards in a jazz or popular music set to help students recognize common harmonic progressions and melodic shapes across the repertoire. It works equally well as a solo piece, a singer's vehicle, or a trio arrangement with bass and drums.

• Reading lead-sheet style arrangements with simplified figured bass
• Understanding swing rhythms and behind-the-beat phrasing
• Accompanying a melody while maintaining harmonic integrity
• Interpreting jazz standards with attention to lyrical content