53.88This is especially important for repertoire you love

When we later work through “The Bare Necessities” and “Mack the Knife,” one of the easiest traps would be to over-arrange them.

Both songs have strong melodic identities.

A compelling version may sometimes need:

• a bass line
• a swing pulse
• a tiny fill
• one substitution
• and confidence.

Then another chorus can become elaborate.

Variation only works if simplicity remains one of the available variations.