Superstition: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00116824
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| Superstition - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Aux Percussion | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Flute | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Bb Clarinet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Bb Clarinet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Superstition - Tuba | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Stevie Wonder helped to bring funk to mainstream pop music in the '70s, and this is one of his most recognizable hits. Paul Murtha's arrangement is easy to learn yet maintains the authentic groove of the original.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00116824
More about this title
About the Composer: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder emerged as one of the most influential musicians of the late twentieth century, mastering keyboards, harmonica, and drums while developing an ear for production that shaped popular music across multiple genres. His work in the 1970s bridged soul, R&B, funk, and pop with sophisticated harmonic language and rhythmic precision; his arrangements and compositions became blueprints for how groove and accessibility could coexist with genuine musical complexity.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha captures the infectious energy that made the original a radio staple without asking your ensemble to navigate unnecessary technical hurdles. The arrangement respects the song's DNA; every section hears exactly why this groove became iconic, and your students will feel the satisfaction of nailing a tune that people actually recognize.
What to expect
The moment that synth riff locks in, you're transported into that crisp '70s funk world where every note has attitude and the beat feels inevitable. There's joy in the simplicity and swagger in the execution; your ensemble will feel the difference between playing the notes and owning the groove.
Who it's for
Any jazz ensemble looking to build confidence and musicianship through a song students already know and want to play. This works equally well for ensembles just discovering funk and groove as it does for groups seeking a dependable opener or closer for a concert.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the hi-hat and kick drum pattern first. That foundation makes everything else land with authority.
- Let the synth line breathe; it's the melodic hook that carries the tune, so balance it against but never bury it under the horns.
- Shape the dynamic arc from the top. Grade 2 accessibility doesn't mean playing at one volume; the contrast between verse and chorus is where the arrangement lives.
- Keep the pocket tight but relaxed. This groove works when everyone feels it, not just when everyone plays it.
How to use it
This pairs beautifully with other pop and rock standards in a mixed jazz concert, offering a commercial draw that audiences recognize while your musicians get authentic arranging and performance experience. It also serves as an excellent teaching piece early in the school year, building ensemble cohesion and confidence before tackling more demanding literature.
Skills your students will build
- Funk and groove phrasing in a pop context
- Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures
- Dynamic control and section balancing in an ensemble setting
- Understanding arrangement texture and orchestration
- Playing behind the beat to create pocket and feel