Cobra Dance: E-flat Alto Saxophone
By Joel Spineti
Grade: 2.5 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017033_AX1
$3.00
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Description
The King Cobra uncoils from a woven basket and flares out its iconic hood. It appears to sway back and forth hypnotically as the snake charmer plays his flute. This type of "Cobra Dance" has captivated audiences around the world for thousands of years. Timpani solos, a variety of percussion, syncopated rhythms and colorful harmonies are woven together to create an exotic tapestry of sound that your young musicians will look forward to playing at both rehearsal and performance. (3:20)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Cobra Dance: E-flat Alto Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
266
SKU:
00-PC-0017033_AX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Joel Spineti
Joel Spineti brings 17 years of classroom experience across elementary, middle, and high school levels to his work as a composer and educator. He holds degrees in music and education from Central Connecticut State University, where he studied composition with Dr. Phil Traegor. After graduation, Spineti moved to New York City to pursue jazz piano studies with Hal Galper, and spent the next dozen years performing in and music directing musical theater productions across 40 states.
Now the director of jazz and concert bands at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School in Connecticut, Spineti writes for concert band, jazz band, choir, and musical theater. His deep experience in performance and ensemble direction shapes music that young musicians genuinely want to play.
Why we love this
Spineti captures the exotic and theatrical without losing sight of what makes music engaging for Grade 2.5 musicians. The timpani solos hand agency to your percussion section, the syncopated rhythms feel contemporary and fun, and the colorful harmonies create real interest in the band sound without demanding virtuosity. This is music that sounds impressive when your students play it.
What to expect
Cobra Dance immerses the band in a world of swaying rhythms and shimmering colors. The piece moves with hypnotic momentum, driven by syncopation and punctuated by moments where the timpani steps forward to command attention. The exotic harmonies and varied percussion writing create an atmosphere both mysterious and joyful.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the middle school level and strong elementary programs looking for repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musical interest. The Grade 2.5 difficulty level suits bands with developing ensemble cohesion and emerging solo sections without sacrificing musicality or excitement.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the timpani solos so they drive the piece without overpowering the ensemble. Young timpani students often need guidance on dynamic control in solo passages.
- Lock the syncopated rhythms in the ensemble by having players count together in rehearsal rather than listening to surrounding parts. Mark difficult rhythmic figures in the parts.
- Lean into the exotic character by experimenting with percussion layering during rehearsal. Let students hear how each color contributes to the overall tapestry before performance.
- Conduct with clarity and a sense of sway that mirrors the hypnotic quality of the piece. Your physical gesture shapes how the band interprets the rhythmic and harmonic colors.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece that showcases your band's rhythmic precision and ensemble blend without requiring extended rehearsal time. Its 3:20 length makes it ideal for concert pacing, and the concert band context means it fits naturally alongside standard grade-level repertoire in a spring or fall concert.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic patterns
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion through changing meters and rhythmic figures
- Balancing individual voice lines within colorful harmonic progressions
- Supporting solo sections (timpani, percussion) as an accompanying ensemble
- Responding to stylistic cues that suggest a non-traditional musical character