Ain't Too Proud To Beg (arr. Deke Sharon)

Deke Sharon's arrangement captures the group's signature vocal texture while remaining accessible for mixed ensembles. The stripped arrangement keeps focus on the melody and harmony rather than complex instrumental writing, making this a smart choice for groups building confidence with pop repertoire.

Smooth, confident, and achingly sincere. The song sits in that perfect space between vulnerability and showmanship, with warm harmonies supporting a lead voice that's part plea and part declaration. There's a gentleness underneath the arrangement that rewards singers who can balance control with genuine emotion.

This arrangement works for show choirs, jazz choirs, contemporary a cappella groups, and mixed ensembles looking to program recognizable pop music with real sophistication. Singers comfortable with swing rhythms and R&B phrasing will connect immediately to the material.

• Lock the rhythmic feel early in rehearsal by having students tap the groove on their legs while singing. This embeds the pocket that defines the song's character.
• Balance the lead line against supporting harmonies by rehearsing them separately first, then layering sections gradually. The arrangement lives or dies on clean voice leading.
• Treat the spoken or half-sung passages with the same attention you'd give a fully sung phrase. These moments create personality and need clear articulation to land.
• Record a reference track with just percussion and bass for sectional rehearsals. Singers will internalize the rhythmic precision the original recording demands.

Pair this with other Motown standards to create a themed set that highlights the depth and artistry of the era. It's substantial enough to anchor a pop or contemporary section, and familiar enough that audiences settle in immediately. Consider programming it mid-set where the ensemble's precision and blend can shine.

• Singing with rhythmic precision in a groove-based idiom
• Balancing a lead melody against layered supporting harmonies
• Articulating text clearly in R&B phrasing and style
• Maintaining consistent vowel quality across a cappella blend
• Understanding call-and-response in vocal arrangement