Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me: E-flat Alto Saxophone
Music by Duke Ellington, lyric by Bob Russell / arr. Lisa DeSpain
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017291_AX1
$3.00
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Description
A medium tempo swing chart composed by the great Duke Ellington! Features include: a few sax section solis, a trumpet 1 written solo for the bridge section and an 8-bar written solo section, trumpet 1 range to written F top line, and easy swing rhythms for all. It's Duke at his best for your young band.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me: 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:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
78
SKU:
00-PC-0017291_AX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) stands as one of the most prolific and influential composers in American music history. His output spanned nearly five decades and ranged from short three-minute popular songs to extended orchestral works, each bearing his unmistakable harmonic sophistication and melodic invention. Ellington's approach to composition was inseparable from his work as a bandleader and pianist; he wrote constantly for the specific voices in his orchestra, understanding exactly how each instrument could contribute to his vision.
For young musicians, Ellington's music offers immediate accessibility alongside genuine musical substance. His melodies sing naturally, his rhythms swing without pretense, and his orchestrations teach by example how to balance solo voices with ensemble texture. "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" exemplifies this quality: it is a vehicle for developing musicians that never condescends and never feels like a simplified exercise.
Why we love this
This chart gives young ensemble players the real thing. Ellington's harmonic language and swing phrasing are present in every measure, and the writing for the saxophone section and trumpet soloist invites genuine musicianship rather than merely executing notes. It's Grade 1 accessibility with Grade 4 musical character.
What to expect
Buoyant and sophisticated. The melody settles into your ear immediately while the harmonic movement underneath reveals Ellington's gift for making advanced concepts sound effortless. There is swagger here, confidence in the orchestration, and room for individual voice; it feels like you are playing something that matters.
Who it's for
This conductor score and parts package serves Grade 1 jazz ensembles, including first-year players stepping into the big band sound for the first time. It works equally well for school jazz bands that are building foundational swing vocabulary and for ensembles preparing for festival or contest performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the sax section solis with dynamic phrasing that emphasizes call-and-response character; these passages need air and personality, not just precision.
- Support the trumpet 1 solos with a relaxed but locked rhythm section that establishes swing feel clearly. The bridge and written solo sections depend on rock-solid time.
- Balance the ensemble throughout by keeping the background figures light and responsive. Ellington wrote for transparency, not thickness, especially in the lower voices.
- Communicate the medium swing tempo with your conducting gesture; the entire group should feel the ease and lift of true swing quarter-note feel.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece of a jazz-focused concert or festival set. It pairs well with other Ellington standards and serves as an excellent introduction for audiences unfamiliar with the scope of his compositional legacy. The soloists gain valuable experience in a charted context that balances ensemble responsibility with individual spotlight.
Skills your students will build
- Swing eighth-note subdivision and feel
- Reading and executing sax section ensemble figures
- Trumpet solo phrasing with written passages
- Supporting soloists as ensemble members
- Balance and blend in a jazz orchestration
- Medium-tempo swing articulation