'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That Cha Do It) (arr. Rosana Eckert): 2-Part Choral Octavo
'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That Cha Do It) (arr. Rosana Eckert) Sheet Music Preview

'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That Cha Do It) (arr. Rosana Eckert): 2-Part Choral Octavo

As performed by Ella Fitzgerald / Arranged by Rosana Eckert

Item: 35-DS00399401
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00399401

More about this title

About the Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald's voice became one of the most recognizable instruments in jazz history, prized for its clarity, range, and ability to swing with absolute precision. Her interpretive gifts transformed standards and novelty numbers alike, and her recordings remain the reference points that generations of singers study to understand how phrasing, timing, and emotional authenticity shape a performance.

Why we love this

Rosana Eckert's arrangement captures the infectious playfulness of this swing standard without losing the rhythmic sophistication that makes the original so fun to sing. A 2-part voicing keeps the piece accessible for younger or developing choirs while the arrangement preserves enough jazz vocabulary and syncopation to keep singers engaged and challenged.

What to expect

Upbeat and cheeky, with a conversational swagger. The melody bounces with syncopation and sass, inviting singers to commit to the personality of the lyric while staying locked into the swing rhythm that makes the humor land.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced middle school, high school, and college choirs looking to expand their jazz repertoire beyond ballads. This piece works equally well for secular choral groups, show choirs, or jazz ensembles wanting a fun, performance-ready standard.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock into the swing feel from rehearsal one. The rhythmic pocket here is everything; without it, the wit and energy of the lyric fall flat.
  • Shape the dynamic contour deliberately. The piece thrives on contrast between punchy, rhythmic passages and moments where the melody can breathe and land.
  • Treat the syncopation as a feature, not an obstacle. When your singers feel confident with the rhythmic placement, they can focus on the text and personality.
  • Balance clarity in both parts. The arrangement works because both lines remain audible and contribute to the groove; resist the urge to favor the top voice.

How to use it

Pair this with other swing standards or novelty numbers for a jazz-focused concert program, or use it as a palate cleanser between heavier contemporary and classical works. Its accessibility and fun factor also make it a natural encore or a standout in a spring show.

Skills your students will build

  • Swing articulation and rhythmic feel
  • Syncopated rhythm reading in 2-part texture
  • Jazz phrasing and lyrical interpretation
  • Intonation in close harmonic intervals
  • Ensemble cohesion in a rhythmically driven arrangement

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