One Voice: E-Z Play Today

This arrangement respects the original song's emotional core while keeping the piano part playable for intermediate students. The E-Z Play Today series has always excelled at giving students real, recognizable songs to perform, and Manilow's catalog is perfect for that mission since the melodies are strong enough to shine through simplified textures.

Warm and direct, with the kind of melodic sincerity that made the original recording so enduring. The piano carries both the song's emotional weight and its essential character without demanding technical displays.

Piano students who are progressing past beginner method books and ready for recognizable popular songs that don't oversimplify the music. This works equally well for students learning arrangements of contemporary songs or teachers looking for reliable material for recitals and informal performances.

• Shape the melodic line with consistent phrasing; even simplified arrangements benefit from attention to where the song naturally breathes
• Balance dynamics between the melody and accompaniment so the right hand doesn't disappear into the left hand's texture
• Let the chord changes register without rushing; Manilow's harmony often does subtle work that deserves clarity

Include this in a recital that balances classical repertoire with popular music, or use it as a confidence builder when students are ready to perform complete, recognizable songs. It also works well in programs exploring American songwriting or as a bridge between classical and contemporary music studies.

• Playing sustained melodic lines with consistent tone quality
• Managing two-hand coordination between vocal-like right hand and supporting accompaniment
• Shaping phrases in popular music to avoid mechanical playing
• Reading and executing chord-based accompaniment patterns