Strike Up The Band: E-Z Play Today

This arrangement captures the swagger and sophistication of Gershwin's original without overwhelming early intermediate pianists. The two-page format respects rehearsal time while delivering a piece with genuine musical substance and immediate appeal to both performers and audiences.

Urbane, energetic, and full of character. The piece has a Broadway tempo and sass; it feels like a backstage entrance number that everyone recognizes but few can play with this much style.

Early intermediate pianists who are ready for genuine Broadway repertoire. This works equally well for students exploring American songbook standards and for teachers seeking approachable yet musically rewarding concert material.

• Lean into the syncopation; Gershwin's rhythmic idiom sits between classical regularity and jazz swing, so find the pocket where precision and groove coexist.
• Shape the melody with rubato in the verse sections, but keep the refrain snappy and rhythmically locked.
• Let the harmonic shifts breathe; Gershwin's chord changes often move quickly, so voice them clearly enough that listeners can follow the harmonic motion.

Pair this with other Gershwin selections or American standards for a concert celebrating early twentieth-century popular song. It also works as a solo spotlight on a recital that mixes classical and contemporary repertoire.

• Syncopated rhythm reading in a jazz-inflected style
• Rubato and tempo flexibility within a Broadway idiom
• Voice leading and harmonic clarity in fast-moving chord progressions
• Pedal control for stylistically appropriate sustain and articulation