Over My Head: E-flat Baritone Saxophone
As Performed by Echosmith
Words and music by Cara Elizabeth Salimando, Graham Sierota, Noah Sierota, Sydney Sierota, Jeffrey Sierota, Leroy Clampitt, and Paul Phamous / arr. Jason Scott
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017923_BTX
$3.00
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Description
It's rare to find a compelling pop tune without chromatic altered tones so perfect for your beginners. Comfortable and familiar syncopation sets the groove. Indie-pop band Echosmith's characteristic fresh style has this tune soaring on the charts with 11 million hits and still counting. A winner! (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Over My Head: E-flat Baritone Saxophone 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:
Pop Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
140
SKU:
00-PC-0017923_BTX
More about this title
About the Composer: Cara Elizabeth Salimando
Cara Elizabeth Salimando is a composer and keyboardist best known for her work with the indie-pop band Echosmith, which she co-founded with her three brothers. The band emerged in the early 2010s and gained widespread recognition with their debut album, which included the viral hit "Over My Head." Salimando's approach to songwriting balances pop accessibility with harmonic sophistication, creating melodies and chord progressions that appeal to both casual listeners and musicians studying contemporary songcraft.
Salimando's work has introduced millions of listeners to modern pop composition through streaming platforms and radio play. Her contributions to band education repertoire bring authenticity and chart-proven appeal to beginning ensemble programs, allowing students to engage with real music by working artists rather than arrangements of classical standards.
Why we love this
A Grade 1 piece with actual harmonic depth sets this apart from typical beginner pop arrangements. The chromatic altered tones in the harmony give students something substantive to hear and play, while the syncopated groove keeps energy high without asking for technical complexity. Directors get a piece that sounds professional and current, not simplified or watered down, making rehearsals feel relevant to students' musical lives.
What to expect
Bright and modern, with enough harmonic color to feel sophisticated even at Grade 1. The syncopation gives the piece forward motion and a contemporary indie-pop sensibility, while the familiar melody hooks listeners immediately.
Who it's for
Beginning concert band programs seeking repertoire that matches students' actual musical interests. This works for grades 4-6 bands that need accessible material with real songwriting craft, and for directors building confidence in young players through songs they've heard on streaming platforms.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic feel first. The syncopation drives the groove, so spend rehearsal time on steady subdivision before worrying about blend or intonation.
- Balance the chromatic passing tones carefully; they're what makes the harmony interesting, but they can muddy the sound if every section plays them equally prominently.
- Use the 2:00 length to your advantage in concerts. It's the perfect warm-up piece or palate cleanser between longer works, and students stay focused knowing the energy arc is brief and punchy.
- Let the band hear the original recording during rehearsal. Knowing the exact groove and energy level helps players nail the intent rather than guessing at style.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to establish an energetic tone and signal to the audience that the band plays music beyond the traditional canon. Pair it with other pop arrangements from the Pop Beginning Band series to build a thematic concert section, or use it mid-program to refresh the room between classical or traditional works.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in a contemporary pop style
- Interpreting chromatic altered tones in harmonic context
- Maintaining steady groove while tracking individual melodic and harmonic lines
- Balancing articulation and dynamic control in a rhythmic ensemble setting