Crazy Cat: B-flat Bass Clarinet
Crazy Cat: B-flat Bass Clarinet Sheet Music Preview

Crazy Cat: B-flat Bass Clarinet

By Les Taylor

Grade: 1

Item: 98-PC-DB1096_BC
Digital Download
$7.00
View Full Set
Description
Played in a fast swing style, this easy piece will get your audience clapping and toe-tapping right from the downbeat. The percussion parts are written to be played similar to the way a set drummer would drive a big band. The saxes and clarinets in the chalumeau register are featured in a stop-time chorus that should bring your audience to its feet. (2:15)

Crazy Cat: B-flat Bass Clarinet isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: FJH Beginning Band
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU: 98-PC-DB1096_BC

More about this title

Why we love this

The stop-time chorus with saxes and clarinets in the chalumeau register is the kind of moment that makes an audience lean forward. It's an easy piece that actually sounds fun to play, which matters when you're programming for groups still building foundational skills.

What to expect

Infectious and playful. The fast swing tempo and audience participation built into the arrangement create immediate momentum, while the chalumeau voicings give it a warm, vintage big band color that feels both accessible and sophisticated.

Who it's for

Grade 1 concert bands looking for repertoire that engages audiences without demanding advanced technique. This works especially well for early-season concerts or community performances where a lighter touch lands well.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the swing feel loose and relaxed; this isn't about metronomic precision, but groove. Let the rhythm section breathe.
  • The stop-time chorus needs clarity from the low reeds and brass. Have your saxes and clarinets lock in before adding the ensemble hits.
  • Encourage your percussion section to listen to big band recordings to feel how a drummer drives the band. That energy translates directly to this piece.

How to use it

Pair this with a contrasting ballad or march to show range, or use it as a closer to send audiences out happy. The built-in audience response makes it a natural fit for community concerts or pops-style programming.

Skills your students will build

  • Swing feel and rhythmic interpretation
  • Low register functionality (chalumeau register for clarinets and saxophones)
  • Stop-time response and ensemble precision
  • Listening to and supporting the rhythm section
  • Dynamic control in faster tempos

You May Also Like