Too Good for the Average Man: Piano/Vocal/Chords Digital Sheet Music

A number with personality and attitude, built on the kind of musical and textual confidence that comes from a well-crafted standard. The song has enough harmonic sophistication to reward repeated listening while remaining singable and engaging for audiences.

Jazz singers and interpreters looking for standards that showcase lyrical sophistication and harmonic interest. Piano students and accompanists building a repertoire of vocal accompaniment literature will find this offers solid material with engaging harmonic movement.

• Study the chord changes carefully before focusing on phrasing; understanding the harmonic movement under the melody will inform your interpretation and help you land on important chord tones.
• Work with your pianist to establish where the accompaniment breathes and sets up phrases, especially in swing or rubato sections where the rhythm section drives the song forward.
• Balance the wit in the lyric with genuine musicality; songs with clever text often invite performers to prioritize comedy over vulnerability, so find moments where both live together.

Include this in a jazz or standards-focused recital program, or use it as a centerpiece for a singer exploring classic American songbook material. It pairs well with other mid-century standards and works equally well in an intimate cabaret setting or a formal recital context.

• Reading jazz chord symbols and substitutions
• Phrasing across chord changes in jazz style
• Text interpretation and storytelling in a sophisticated lyric
• Collaboration between vocalist and pianist on swing interpretation