Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Patriotic/Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

If you are looking for a 3.5 minute crowd-pleasing chart that has both patriotic and swing era excitement, then Yankee Doodle is an ideal choice. Playable at high school, collegiate and professional levels, it begins with a marching drum cadence intro and the familiar melody in the trumpets/saxes. Abruptly switching into a Swing Era style that conjures the sounds of Dorsey, Goodman and Miller, the melody is initially handled by the trombones and then the trumpets, with stop-time clarinet-lead sax section breaks (can be played on soprano as well). The three horn sections then hand off melodic leads all the way to a Sing, Sing, Sing like drum break. The key moves from Bb major to Bb minor, with the trombones and bass playing a feature riff soon joined by a growling plunger trumpet melody, with ensemble build into the solo section (returning to Bb major). Clarinet has the full solo improv section with backgrounds, but trombone and trumpet can take parts of the solo as well (optional solo changes written in). A full ensemble quick-step marching version of the melody intercedes before building into a raucous ensemble shout (repeated) with some New Orleans styled collective improv by the clarinet, trombone and trumpet included. (This shout section can be played a bit slower for more back beat impact if desired.)

The coda couples an overture-ending classical vibe with a quick swinging button. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor concerts, and as an opener/closer/change of pace. Good showcase for a strong drummer, and the opportunity to add a piccolo player (see options below). Soloists: Clarinet, with optional substitution sections for trombone and trumpet, plus the collective New Orleans style improv episodes for clar/trb/trpt. Drum features/solos interspersed throughout.

Alto Sax 2 doubles on piccolo (alternate parts that avoid the piccolo double, but a separate piccolo player is needed). Feature/solo clarinet part (which would be the tenor 1 chair) can also be played on soprano sax. With these alternate parts 6 woodwind players are needed: piccolo, clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone).

Live demo recording by Dan Gabel and the Abletones from 'Homesick for New England.'

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Alto saxophone 2 has optional piccolo double)
Clarinet (Or soprano saxophone)
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
5 Trumpets (Trumpet 5 optional)
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Piano
Bass
Drums
Piccolo (may be used to avoid the double in alto saxophone 2 )

Trumpet 1: C6
Trumpet 4: C6 (Optional Eb6)
Trombone 1: Bb4