What Is This Thing Called Love?: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives singers and pianists authentic access to Porter's complete harmonic and lyrical vision on the same page. The breadth here means you can program anything from a intimate cabaret arrangement to a concert suite without hunting across multiple editions, and the chord notation supports both classical pianists developing jazz literacy and jazz pianists deepening their understanding of Porter's harmonic language.

Porter's melodies carry the sophistication of someone trained in classical composition, yet they swing with the ease of popular song. His lyrics sparkle with intelligence and often a touch of world-weary humor, creating an atmosphere of elegant urban sophistication that rewards both close listening and genuine performance commitment.

This resource serves singers and pianists working with standards repertoire in classical voice lessons, jazz curricula, cabaret classes, and chamber settings. Piano students preparing recital material and singers building a working knowledge of the American Songbook will find reliable arrangements here.

• Treat the chord symbols as compositional information, not just backup notation. Porter's changes are intentional and often unexpected; honor them rather than simplifying.
• Balance vocal line clarity with harmonic support in your left hand. Porter's melodies are strong enough to breathe even with rich accompaniment underneath.
• Separate the lyrical content from the melody. Porter's words are clever and often ironic; singing them requires theatrical commitment beyond pure vocal technique.
• Mark phrase structures before you rehearse. Many Porter songs use asymmetrical phrasing that catches singers off guard if unprepared.

Use individual selections as recital pieces for voice or piano, or program several Porter songs as a thematic concert segment exploring vintage American songwriting. This collection also works well as a reference source for students studying the harmonic language of standards or preparing audition materials for programs emphasizing American musical theater.

• reading chord symbols and jazz notation alongside traditional staff notation
• interpreting sophisticated harmonic progressions and unexpected voice leading
• coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment figures
• applying theatrical interpretation to text-based performance
• understanding the relationship between lyrical content and melodic shape