One Note Samba (Samba De Uma Nota So): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
One Note Samba (Samba De Uma Nota So) Sheet Music Preview

One Note Samba (Samba De Uma Nota So): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

By Newton Mendonca / By Antonio Carlos Jobim / Arranged by Roger Emerson

Item: 35-DS00148270
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Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00148270

More about this title

About the Composer: Newton Mendonca

Newton Mendonca was a Brazilian lyricist and composer who helped shape the bossa nova sound alongside Antonio Carlos Jobim. His gift for setting Portuguese lyrics to Jobim's sophisticated harmonies made him instrumental in bringing bossa nova from Rio de Janeiro to international audiences during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Mendonca's work with Jobim produced some of the most enduring standards in the jazz and Latin repertoire. His economy with words and ability to capture the rhythmic feel of Brazilian speech patterns gave his songs their distinctive character and lasting appeal in both vocal and instrumental contexts.

Why we love this

Roger Emerson's three-part mixed voicing strips away complexity without sacrificing the infectious charm that makes this tune unforgettable. Your singers will feel the Brazilian groove immediately, and the straightforward arrangement lets the melody and lyrics do what they do best: stick in everyone's head for days after rehearsal.

What to expect

Playful and sophisticated at once, with a hypnotic melodic hook built on the inventive constraint of its title. The samba rhythm carries listeners into that warm, sun-soaked jazz club feeling that makes bossa nova so seductive, while the lyrics and melody keep everything light and conversational rather than heavy.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking accessible Latin repertoire that doesn't require extensive stylistic training can rely on this arrangement. The three-part voicing works equally well for high school choruses, community choirs, and college groups looking for a concert piece that connects with audiences through its humor and infectious groove.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the pulse supple and relaxed rather than metronomically strict. The samba rhythm should breathe and swing slightly, which makes the "one note" concept feel playful instead of mechanical.
  • Blend the three parts by having singers listen across the choir rather than into their own section. The interlocking rhythmic lines need to lock together without any part stepping forward.
  • Layer dynamics gradually through repetitions of the main phrase to build momentum without ever feeling forced or artificial.

How to use it

Pair this with other Latin standards or jazz pieces to build a thematic concert section. It works beautifully as a lighter moment between heavier classical or contemporary works, and its 11-page length makes it an ideal choice for variety programming without consuming significant rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Samba rhythm patterns and proper articulation in Latin jazz context
  • Stylistic singing with appropriate swing and lilt in Portuguese lyrics
  • Three-part voice independence while maintaining harmonic blend
  • Phrasing that mirrors speech patterns rather than traditional lyrical arcs

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