That's All: E-Z Play Today

Standards like this one teach pianists how to voice chords sophisticatedly without overwhelming them with technical demands. The three-page length makes it manageable for learning yet substantial enough to feel like a real accomplishment when performed, which keeps students motivated during the learning process.

Sophisticated yet approachable. The melody sits naturally under the fingers while the chord changes ask pianists to think harmonically about what they're playing. There's real elegance here without pretension.

Pianists with solid note-reading skills who are ready to move beyond classical etudes into jazz territory. This works equally well for students exploring jazz standards independently or for ensemble pianists looking to deepen their accompanying skills.

• Let the melody breathe on the opening statement. Resist the urge to rush; the song's appeal lives in its unhurried phrasing and natural rubato.
• Balance your left hand comping so it supports rather than overshadows the right hand melody. Think accompaniment, not competition.
• Explore subtle dynamic shaping through the form to maintain listener interest across repeats. A small lift into the bridge pays dividends.

Feature this as part of a jazz standards recital, or pair it with other E-Z Play Today selections from the Great American Songbook to create a focused jazz curriculum unit. It also serves as an excellent choice for a student recital that celebrates the intersection of classical training and jazz fluency.

• Reading jazz chord symbols and interpreting voicings
• Comping patterns and left-hand accompaniment techniques
• Phrasing and rubato in jazz interpretation
• Understanding form and harmonic progression in standards