Knock on Wood: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Eddie Floyd / As performed by Otis Redding / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00412136
$50.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Knock on Wood - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Knock on Wood - Aux Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Although originally recorded by Eddie Floyd in 1966, this familiar hit has remained popular thanks to covers by artists such as Otis Redding, David Bowie, and Eric Clapton. This dynamic version for young players is based on the swing-shuffle hit recorded by Amii Stewart in 1979.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00412136
More about this title
About the Artist: Eddie Floyd
Eddie Floyd wrote and first recorded "Knock on Wood" in 1966, a song that would become one of the most enduring hits in soul and R&B history. His original version established the song's infectious groove and emotional directness, qualities that made it irresistible for artists across genres to cover and reinterpret. Floyd's songwriting combined simple, memorable hooks with the kind of rhythmic sophistication that kept the tune fresh across decades and musical styles.
Why we love this
Young ensembles rarely get to play something this recognizable and genuinely fun without sacrificing musical substance. Paul Murtha's Grade 3 arrangement gives you the Amii Stewart swing-shuffle groove that audiences remember while keeping the chart accessible; your students will feel like they're playing a real hit from day one of rehearsal.
What to expect
Funky and propulsive, with just enough attitude to make your ensemble feel like they're in on the groove. The swing-shuffle rhythm from the 1979 recording gives the piece its pocket and forward motion, while the melody sits warm and accessible over a supportive harmonic foundation.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 3 level looking for a high-engagement piece with built-in audience appeal. This works equally well for groups building their swing vocabulary or for programs that want to connect jazz repertoire to the music students hear on the radio and streaming services.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the shuffle feel in the rhythm section first. This groove is the foundation everything else sits on, so spend rehearsal time getting the drums and bass locked before layering the horns.
- Balance the funk against the melody line. The arrangement works because the background colors don't overwhelm the tune; your soloists need space to land the iconic phrases everyone knows.
- Bring out the blues notes in the saxophone section. Those bent notes and scoops are what give this chart its character and separate it from a straight pop tune.
How to use it
Program this alongside other soul and R&B standards to show the connective tissue between jazz, pop, and funk. It's an excellent opening number for a casual concert or pops show, and its familiarity means audiences will settle in immediately and stay engaged.
Skills your students will build
- Swing-shuffle rhythms and syncopation
- Blues tonality and bent notes in the saxophone section
- Ensemble balance between solo voices and background colors
- Groove-based ensemble playing and rhythmic precision