Hard to Handle: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by The Black Crowes / Arranged by John Wasson
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00296642
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Hard to Handle - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $7.50 | |
| Hard to Handle - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Hard to Handle - Aux Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1968, this hard-drving RB classic has become a mainstay of pop culture covered by a wide range of artists including The Black Crowes, King Floyd, and The Grateful Dead. John Wasson's updated version features the signature horn licks, powerful scoring, and solo for tenor sax.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00296642
More about this title
About the Artist: The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes emerged from Atlanta in the late 1980s as purveyors of blues-informed rock that honored its soul and R&B roots while pushing forward with raw energy and conviction. Their interpretations of classic material, including their own rendition of "Hard to Handle," demonstrate a deep respect for the source material combined with a willingness to make these songs their own. The band's approach to arrangement and performance has made them influential figures in how contemporary rock ensembles approach vintage funk and soul repertoire.
Why we love this
Wasson's arrangement captures the essential groove and attitude of this song while giving your ensemble clear, playable parts that actually swing. The tenor sax solo spotlight provides a genuine solo opportunity that students will want to prepare for, and the horn writing sits comfortably in the range of younger players without sacrificing the signature punch of the original.
What to expect
Propulsive and groove-centered, with the infectious swagger of a song that has proved its staying power across decades and countless interpretations. The arrangement balances the tightness of a studio recording with the flexibility needed for live ensemble performance, delivering that satisfying moment when everything locks into the pocket together.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want accessible, recognizable material that still demands solid musicianship. This works especially well for groups developing their funk and soul vocabulary and for students who respond to contemporary artists' interpretations of classic material.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the backbeat between the rhythm section and drums before adding the horns; this groove drives everything that happens on top of it.
- Balance the tenor sax solo so it sits forward without overwhelming the ensemble's response figures underneath.
- Emphasize the syncopated hits in the horn licks with crisp articulation and consistent dynamic control across both sections.
- Let the ensemble breathe with the original recording's phrasing rather than mechanically subdividing; this is funk, not march time.
How to use it
Include this in a concert exploring how standards get reimagined across generations, pairing it with other versions of the same tune or with contemporary covers of classic material. It also fits naturally into a set highlighting blues and funk foundations in jazz, offering your ensemble a chance to showcase groove mastery alongside traditional jazz repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Funk and soul rhythmic phrasing with emphasis on the backbeat
- Reading and executing syncopated horn licks in unison and harmony
- Accompanying a featured soloist with locked ensemble response figures
- Balancing articulation and dynamics across horn sections in pop idioms