The Best of Cole Porter: Piano Book

This collection gives pianists direct access to the harmonic vocabulary and idiomatic figurations that define mid-century American song. The Faber Edition makes these standards singable and playable without diluting what makes them musically interesting, and 30+ songs means you're not hunting across five different books to build a solid standards repertoire.

These songs radiate urban sophistication and theatrical warmth. The harmonic movement pulls you forward with gentle surprises, while the melodies feel both refined and fundamentally singable. Whether you're playing a peppy opening number or a waltzing standard, there's an underlying elegance and wit that makes the music feel alive.

Pianists at the intermediate to late-intermediate level who want to deepen their command of jazz standards and American songbook style. This works equally well for students preparing for auditions, building a working repertoire, or simply understanding how great melodists construct their material.

• Listen closely to how Porter uses chromatic voice leading in the harmony; these aren't simple changes, and letting them breathe makes the melody land harder.
• Find the rhythmic lilt in these tunes. They swing even when written in straight notation, so lean into the characteristic syncopation rather than playing everything metronomically.
• Balance accompaniment texture with the melody line. Porter wrote songs meant to feature a singer, so the piano part supports rather than competes.
• Pay attention to key relationships between songs. Programming several pieces in sequence rewards players who notice how Porter modulates and what harmonic colors dominate each tune.

Slot individual songs into concerts alongside classical or contemporary work to show students where American popular music sits musically. Use selections as teaching vehicles for understanding reharmonization, song form, and jazz accompaniment styles. These pieces also work beautifully as part of a semester-long standards unit that bridges classical technique with jazz literacy.

• Reading and interpreting jazz chord symbols and walking bass patterns
• Recognizing and executing swing rhythm in written notation
• Understanding song form (AABA, ABAC) through real musical examples
• Voice leading with chromatic alterations and secondary dominants
• Accompanying a melody while maintaining rhythmic pocket and harmonic clarity