Belwin's 21st Century Guitar Ensemble Series: Peter Gunn: Guitar Score, Parts & Online Audio

The iconic Peter Gunn theme needs no introduction, and Rob Goldsmith's arrangement captures what made that bass line legendary while keeping the ensemble parts accessible for Level 1 guitarists. You'll find your students genuinely excited to rehearse this piece because they already know it works.

Cool, sleek, and instantly recognizable. The Peter Gunn theme carries that 1950s spy-show swagger, all forward motion and dark sophistication. Even at an easy level, the ensemble captures that sense of something happening, something driving forward.

Level 1 guitar ensemble students in middle and high school who are ready to play beyond exercises and into recognizable, groovy material. If your program has four or more guitarists (plus optional bass), this fits your ensemble immediately.

• Lock in the foundational riff early in rehearsal. This piece lives and dies by rhythmic precision in the bass and lead guitar parts, so nail that interlock before adding the harmonic guitars.
• Balance the harmonic voices so the melody and signature riff stay clearly audible. At this level, students often play at the same volume; direct them to dial back the inner parts slightly.
• Use the online audio to let students hear how the parts fit together. Playing along with a recording accelerates ensemble confidence and intonation matching.
• Emphasize the groove rather than precision metronomics. This is a riff-driven piece, so students should feel the pocket, not just hit the beat.

Program this in a casual concert, assembly, or non-traditional performance setting where the audience will light up at the first few notes. It also works as a fun changeup between classical or traditional ensemble repertoire, giving students variety without compromising ensemble literacy.

• Reading ensemble parts with differentiated rhythmic and harmonic roles
• Synchronizing a signature riff across multiple guitarists
• Balancing melody and accompaniment textures in small ensembles
• Playing with rhythmic groove and feel rather than strict mechanical timing