Nice Work If You Can Get It (From "Damsel In Distress"): Lead Sheet

This folio collects some of the most enduring standards in the American songbook, all written or co-written by Gershwin. The lead sheet format lets singers and pianists focus on melody, harmony, and interpretation without being locked into a single arrangement, making it ideal for jazz combos, recital preparation, and classroom exploration of songwriting craft.

These standards carry the wit, elegance, and rhythmic vitality of the American songbook at its best. Gershwin's melodies feel both instantly singable and surprisingly sophisticated, balancing accessibility with harmonic depth and an infectious sense of swing.

Pianists and singers preparing for jazz or standards recitals, music theory students analyzing songwriting and harmony, and jazz ensemble performers looking for repertoire that prioritizes melody and lyrical expression. Voice students building a classical or contemporary repertoire will find these pieces essential foundation material.

• Pay attention to the chord changes; Gershwin's harmonic language often moves quickly and expects a pianist to voice these changes musically rather than literally.
• Sing the melody first without the chords to internalize the line, then layer accompaniment; this clarifies phrasing and breath placement.
• Use the lead sheet as a starting point for reharmonization or comping styles; these songs reward personal interpretation and arrangement choices.

Use individual selections from this folio to build a standards-focused recital, pairing songs thematically (love songs, rhythmic novelties, introspective ballads). Jazz combos can draw from this repertoire for ensembles that pair voice with piano, bass, and drums. Music theory classes benefit from analyzing multiple examples of Gershwin's approach to form, reharmonization, and melodic construction.

• Reading lead sheets and chord symbols
• Analyzing and performing Gershwin's harmonic language
• Phrasing and interpretation of American standards
• Improvising over jazz chord changes
• Singing and playing contemporaneously with independence between hands and voice