Mas Que Nada: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Jorge Ben / Arranged by Michael Brown
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00145990
$70.00
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Description
Made famous by Brazil '66 and often heard in movies and television, this familiar Latin tune is sure to become a favorite with your players and audience alike in this effective version for young bands. Dur: 2:40
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00145990
More about this title
About the Composer: Jorge Ben
Jorge Ben is a foundational figure in Brazilian music who helped define the sound of Rio de Janeiro's popular music scene in the 1960s and beyond. His gift for crafting instantly memorable melodies combined with sophisticated harmonic sensibilities made him a bridge between samba traditions and contemporary pop, influencing generations of Brazilian musicians and songwriters.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious groove that made the original a standard without requiring your band to navigate complex syncopation or Brazilian percussion specialization. The Grade 3 voicing keeps all sections engaged with playable but interesting parts, and the 2:40 duration makes it an ideal concert opener that lands immediately with audiences.
What to expect
Warm, approachable, and instantly recognizable, this version carries the breezy optimism of the original while fitting squarely into a concert band sound. The arrangement invites your ensemble to play with ease rather than strain, letting the tune's natural charm do the work.
Who it's for
Band directors seeking accessible Latin repertoire that doesn't require students to master specialized percussion or Brazilian music conventions. This works equally well for groups building confidence in style and articulation or for programs needing a dependable crowd-pleaser that complements concert band standards.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the rhythm section establish the bossa nova pulse before other voices enter; lock the snare on beat 2 and keep the kick pattern steady and understated to preserve the song's laid-back character.
- Balance the melody line so it cuts through without overwhelming the accompaniment; this tune thrives on lightness and space rather than power.
- Treat the syncopated passages in the woodwinds as conversation with the brass, not competition. Slight breath room between the sections creates the tune's natural swing.
- Dial in a tempo around 120 BPM where the quarter note feels relaxed; rushing turns the groove brittle and stiff.
How to use it
Open a pops concert or mixed repertoire program with this one to establish an upbeat tone and immediate rapport with your audience. It pairs well alongside other accessible world music selections or as a contrast piece in a concert otherwise focused on traditional concert band fare.
Skills your students will build
- Playing with swing articulation and laid-back phrasing in a Latin style
- Balancing syncopated lines against a steady harmonic foundation
- Listening to and locking in with a locked rhythm section in steady-state meter
- Executing clean articulation on repeated melodic figures without rhythmic deterioration