Knock On Wood: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Eddie Floyd / By Steve Cropper / As performed by Otis Redding / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00026804
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Description
With a hot horn and rhythm section, this Otis Redding classic is relentlessly energetic from beginning to end. A great choreography showcase. Performance Time: Approx. 2:45.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00026804
More about this title
About the Composer: Eddie Floyd
Eddie Floyd co-wrote 'Knock On Wood' with Steve Cropper in 1966, creating one of soul music's most enduring standards. His composition became a showcase for Otis Redding's raw power and has since become a staple of pop, R&B, and choral repertoire. Floyd's gift for crafting hooks that lodge themselves in memory while serving serious musicianship makes this piece a natural fit for ensemble singers looking to explore soul's melodic and rhythmic foundations.
As a songwriter and recording artist, Floyd understood how to build energy through repetition and call-and-response without sacrificing musical substance. 'Knock On Wood' exemplifies this philosophy. The piece invites performers to dig into the rhythmic pocket that defines soul music while maintaining the vocal clarity and blend that choral directors demand.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement channels the infectious groove of the original without asking your singers to sound like they're imitating a recording. The horn section and rhythm parts provide genuine musical scaffolding, not decoration, which means your ensemble actually learns how to function as a band rather than simply singing over accompaniment. For choirs that want their students to feel the difference between pop and choral music, this is where the two collide productively.
What to expect
Electric and grounded at once. The rhythm section locks into a groove that feels inevitable, while the horn hits puncture the arrangement with just enough attitude to keep everything from settling. Vocals ride on top with joy and urgency, creating a performance that feels both meticulously crafted and spontaneously alive.
Who it's for
Choirs ready to explore soul and R&B repertoire with genuine style and rhythmic sophistication. Works equally well for concert performances and choreographed presentations, making it versatile for programs that blend traditional choral singing with contemporary performance practice.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor everything to the kick drum and bass line. Once your rhythm section owns the pocket, the horns and voices will find their place naturally. Record a rough run with just drums and bass to build that foundation before adding layers.
- The repetition in 'Knock On Wood' is the point, not a limitation. Train your singers to find new colors and dynamic shades within familiar phrases rather than fighting the arrangement's minimalism.
- Balance the horn section so it breathes alongside the voices. These aren't competing soloists. The brass should feel like it's having a conversation with the choir, not overpowering it.
How to use it
Pair this with other soul standards or contemporary pop arrangements to create a segment exploring rhythm section-driven music. It's substantial enough to carry a full concert moment at roughly 2 minutes and 45 seconds, and the choreography potential makes it ideal for end-of-year or showcase concerts where visual and musical energy matter equally.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision within a syncopated, groove-based context
- Voice-to-instrument balance and blend
- Call-and-response singing and ensemble conversation
- Stylistic interpretation of soul and R&B idioms
- Movement coordination integrated with singing