Out of the Doghouse: Piano Accompaniment
By Erik Morales
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0017155_K
$3.00
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Description
A swing shuffle groove with a hint of gospel, this Erik Morales chart is simply fun to play with a sax soli, some independent bari sax lines, and optional (written) solos for alto, tenor, and guitar. Lead trumpet range is to written A, above the staff. It also has an optional ending with lead trumpet notes up to C. This is a hot chart! (3:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Out of the Doghouse: Piano Accompaniment comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
104
SKU:
00-PC-0017155_K
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales has built a prolific career bridging artistic ambition and classroom accessibility. Born in New York City in 1966, he began composing professionally right after high school when a band director commissioned arrangements for marching band in 1985. His formal training at Florida International University and the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (completed 1989) prepared him for a career that now spans over 150 publications across wind, orchestral, jazz, and chamber settings.
As a trumpet player and composer, Morales has earned recognition within the jazz education and competitive music communities. His trumpet ensemble works have won first place at the National Trumpet Competitions (2006, 2008), and his Concerto for Trumpet in C and Piano premiered at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference. In 2016, he was inducted into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame. Schools and organizations commission him regularly, and his published works are performed globally, reflecting his ability to write music that satisfies both artistic standards and the needs of developing ensembles.
Why we love this
Morales writes jazz that swings hard without requiring virtuosic soloists to carry the chart. The independent bari sax lines and sax soli give your section players room to shine, while optional solos mean you're not locked into featuring specific instrumentalists. This is the kind of fun, festival-ready material that keeps ensembles engaged and audiences smiling.
What to expect
A groove that bounces with infectious energy, mixing the snap of swing with the warmth of gospel inflections. There's personality in every section, and the piece never loses its sense of forward momentum even when soloists step into the spotlight.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level (Grade 3) looking for material that sounds polished and confident without excessive technical demands. This chart works for groups ready to tackle swing interpretation and section independence, whether preparing for a festival or building your jazz repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the groove pocket first. The swing shuffle and gospel hints live in the feel, not just the notes, so lock in the rhythm section before layering the horn lines.
- Balance the sax soli carefully; they're the melodic anchor but shouldn't overshadow the ensemble textures underneath.
- If you're using the optional solos, choose players who understand phrasing and can comp over changes rather than just play the written line.
- The optional ending with lead trumpet up to written C demands a player with consistent high register control; mark this section early in rehearsal to assess readiness.
How to use it
Program this as a festival entry or winter concert highlight that balances your setlist with pure enjoyment. It pairs well alongside traditional swing standards and gives your ensemble a chance to show off rhythmic tightness and ensemble blend without the weight of a ballad or heavy contemporary piece.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and shuffle rhythm interpretation
- Independent section voicing (especially bari sax lines)
- Solo improvisation (optional alto, tenor, guitar solos)
- Lead trumpet range extension and stamina (written A and optional written C)
- Ensemble balance and layering of melodic and harmonic textures