Together: E-Z Play Today

DeSylva's "Together" strikes that rare balance of being simple enough for developing pianists yet sophisticated enough to teach genuine jazz vocabulary and swing feel. The two-page format respects students' time while delivering a complete, satisfying musical statement. Programming this alongside other standards gives students a working knowledge of the Great American Songbook.

Nostalgic warmth meets playful swing. The melody has a conversational quality, as if the song is inviting you into an intimate moment. Underneath sits that distinctive 1930s jazz flavor: chromatic movement, unexpected harmonic turns, and a sense of unhurried cool.

Students who have moved beyond strictly classical repertoire and are ready to explore jazz standards and Broadway idioms. Teachers building a songbook approach to jazz education will find this useful for intermediate pianists working on swing feel, harmonic sophistication, and era-appropriate performance style.

• Shape the melody with intentional phrasing rather than playing it mechanically. Mark breathing points as if you were singing the lyric.
• Anchor the accompaniment rhythm without rushing. Jazz time needs space to breathe, so stay relaxed and behind the beat slightly.
• Listen to the recorded accompaniment multiple times before playing along. Notice how the original treatment suggests dynamics and style.
• Experiment with the touch and voicing of the chords to match the warmth of the original arrangement.

"Together" fits naturally into a concert showcasing American musical theater or as part of a recital exploring the jazz standards repertoire. Use it as a bridge between classical technique and vernacular music styles, showing students how the disciplines connect. It also serves well as a solo feature for a student pianist who wants to build confidence in a shorter, complete work.

• Swing feel and jazz articulation
• Voice leading through jazz-influenced chord progressions
• Sight-reading in a jazz style context
• Interpreting written melody with era-appropriate phrasing and rubato
• Coordination of melody and accompaniment at moderate tempos