Ain't Misbehavin': SATB Choral Octavo

Name: Ain't Misbehavin': SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-28621
Price: 2.10 USD
Availability: InStock

From the Musical Ain't Misbehavin'

Words by Andy Razaf, music by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks / arr. Larry Shackley

Item: 00-28621

$2.10

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Here's a jammin' and jivin', red hot, razzmatazz setting of the title song from the musical Ain't Misbehavin', just perfect for show, jazz, or concert choirs.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ain't Misbehavin': SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081311654

SKU: 00-28621

More about this title

About the Composer: Thomas "Fats" Waller

Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904–1943) was a pianist, organist, composer, and entertainer whose prolific output shaped the sound of jazz and popular music in the 1920s and 1930s. Working alongside lyricist Harry Brooks and others, Waller composed hundreds of songs that became standards, combining stride piano technique with infectious melodic wit and harmonic sophistication. His influence extended far beyond the jazz world; his melodies and rhythmic sensibilities remain central to American musical theater and popular song.

Waller's gifts as a bandleader and performer were inseparable from his gifts as a composer. He understood ensemble voicing, comedic timing, and the power of a memorable hook. Songs like "Ain't Misbehavin'" showcase his ability to write material that feels both sophisticated and immediately joyful, making his work enduringly effective for singers and audiences alike.

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Why we love this

Larry Shackley's arrangement captures the irreverent energy and swinging groove of Waller's original without losing the song's sophistication. The SATB writing stays accessible while still requiring choirs to navigate syncopation, jazz articulation, and rhythmic precision, making it equally valuable in a concert setting and a jazz repertoire context.

What to expect

Infectious and sophisticated in equal measure. The piece bounces with razzmatazz and playful sass, yet under the surface sits smart harmonic writing and the kind of melodic logic that made Waller's songs endure. There's joy in the music, but never cheapness; singers feel like they're in on the fun rather than serving it up.

Who it's for

This arrangement works for show choirs seeking modern material with theatrical flair, jazz choirs wanting a standard that demonstrates jazz vocabulary and swing feel, and concert choirs looking to inject energy and stylistic variety into a program. Singers need comfortable rhythmic independence and the ability to execute jazz style with confidence.

How to get the most out of it

Nail the groove from the start. The rhythmic pocket makes or breaks this piece; lock in the steady pulse during early rehearsals before adding sophistication to the phrasing.
Honor the jazz inflections in the melody. Swing the eighth notes, anticipate some phrases slightly, and let the singers feel the syncopation rather than count rigidly against it.
Balance solo passages with ensemble texture. If your arrangement includes featured voices, ensure they can project without drowning out harmonic support from the rest of the choir.
Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor tricky rhythmic moments. Play it during sectionals so singers internalize the groove and learn how their part sits within the full band sound.

How to use it

Program this as an opener or second piece to establish the ensemble's versatility and set an upbeat tone. It pairs beautifully with other jazz standards or vintage pop, and can anchor a thematic program exploring American musical theater or the Great American Songbook. Consider placing it where audience energy needs a lift but the concert still maintains musical substance.