Bad Guy (arr. Roger Holmes): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Billie Eilish / Arranged by Roger Holmes
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00481349
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Description
Billie Eilish took the pop music scene by storm with this chart-topping hit from 2019. Catchy and quirky, this fun arrangement features a driving rock style, interesting parts for all players, and an optional solo section.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00481349
More about this title
About the Artist: Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish emerged as a defining voice of her generation with her debut album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" released in 2019. At just 17 years old when "Bad Guy" became a global phenomenon, she demonstrated an instinctive understanding of production, songwriting, and performance that transcended typical pop conventions.
Eilish's minimalist production aesthetic and unconventional vocal approach have influenced how contemporary music educators think about arrangement and interpretation. Her willingness to break traditional song structures and embrace atmospheric production makes her catalogue especially valuable for jazz and contemporary ensemble programs seeking relevant repertoire that challenges students' expectations.
Why we love this
Roger Holmes captures the unsettling charm of the original while building in genuine jazz ensemble writing that avoids feeling like a pop cover. Every section has something engaging to play, and the optional solo space invites your soloists to own the piece rather than simply reading written parts.
What to expect
Moody and infectious. The arrangement captures the original's hypnotic undercurrent while adding enough textural layers to keep an ensemble engaged throughout. There's a cool, understated confidence to the phrasing that students find immediately satisfying to play.
Who it's for
Grade 3 jazz ensembles ready for contemporary repertoire that connects with student interests and builds musicianship. Directors seeking programming that appeals to ensemble members and audiences alike without sacrificing musical depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the driving rock pulse early in rehearsal. The rhythmic feel is everything; once your ensemble feels the syncopated pocket together, the quirky character emerges naturally.
- Balance the low end prominently. This arrangement thrives on a heavy bass and drum foundation that sits underneath the higher voices with authority.
- Shape the optional solo section to match your ensemble's strengths. If you have a capable improviser, use it as a feature moment; if not, the written chart stands completely on its own.
- Lean into the laid-back vocal delivery implied by the arrangement. Resist the urge to over-articulate; let some phrases sit back in the mix with a knowing restraint.
How to use it
Feature this in a concert celebrating contemporary composers and arrangers, or use it to showcase your jazz ensemble's versatility beyond traditional swing fare. It works equally well as a program opener that draws immediate audience attention or as a set closer that leaves people talking about what your students can do.
Skills your students will build
- Reading syncopated rhythms in a rock/hip-hop context
- Maintaining a steady groove while playing independent part lines
- Balancing ensemble blend in modern instrumental textures
- Interpreting laid-back phrasing and dynamic control
- Improvising over changes (optional solo section)