This Nearly Was Mine (from South Pacific): E-Z Play Today

This ballad sits comfortably in the E-Z Play Today series without sacrificing the emotional weight that makes it memorable. Students get to experience genuine Broadway sophistication at an accessible technical level, and the two-page format means it's practical for recitals, showcases, or casual performance without overwhelming preparation time.

A quiet moment of reflection and acceptance. The melody unfolds with the vulnerability of someone contemplating what might have been, supported by warm harmonic movement that never becomes heavy. There's a bittersweet resignation in this piece that invites introspection.

Piano students who want to explore Broadway repertoire beyond show tune medleys, plus accompanists preparing to support singers working on this standard. Pianists at the late elementary to early intermediate level will find it within reach.

• Shape the long melodic lines with deliberate breath points, even though you're playing piano rather than singing. This prevents the piece from becoming rhythmically stiff.
• Let the accompaniment stay secondary to the melody. Resist the urge to balance the hands evenly; the right hand should project clearly throughout.
• Find the emotional arc of the song before you begin. This piece traces a journey from hopeful to resigned, and your tempo choices should reflect that development.

Include this in a recital devoted to musical theater standards, or pair it with other Rodgers and Hammerstein songs for a focused set. It also works well as an interlude piece in a larger program, offering audiences a moment of genuine emotion between more energetic selections.

• Legato playing across hand positions without losing clarity
• Sustaining long melodic phrases with consistent tone quality
• Reading and interpreting Broadway-style accompaniment patterns
• Balancing melody and harmony in lyrical contexts
• Emotional shaping and phrasing in popular song repertoire