Superstition (arr. Paul Murtha): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK01371123
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Description
Arranged with modest ranges and in the little big band format, here is a great-sounding version of Stevie Wonder's classic hit. Featured is the authentic funk groove, and the solo section written for trumpet can be opened up to include additional soloists.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01371123
More about this title
About the Artist: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder stands as one of the most influential musicians of the past fifty years, a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work spans soul, funk, pop, and jazz. His innovations in synthesizer technology and harmonic sophistication reshaped popular music in the 1970s and beyond, earning him a place among the greatest recording artists of all time.
For music educators, Wonder's catalog offers rich material for teaching groove, syncopation, and contemporary harmony. His melodies are memorable and accessible; his rhythmic sensibilities demand precision and feel. "Superstition" exemplifies why his music translates so effectively to ensemble settings: the funk foundation is instantly recognizable, yet the harmonic movement and melodic contours reward thoughtful musicianship.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the signature groove and energy of "Superstition" while remaining fully playable by young ensembles. The little big band format and modest ranges mean students can focus on locking in the funk rhythm and nailing the style without getting tangled in extreme registers, and the flexible trumpet solo section opens doors for developing soloists to step forward.
What to expect
Propulsive and syncopated. The rhythm locks tight as a ratchet, and the horn melody sits confidently over a relentless funk foundation. There is joy in the energy and satisfaction in the precision required to nail the ensemble attacks.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a contemporary chart that energizes student ensembles without overwhelming younger players. This Grade 2 arrangement works equally well as a concert closer, a festival piece, or a pop culture bridge for students discovering that serious musicianship and songs they actually know are not mutually exclusive.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the rhythm section and lock the clave rhythm before adding horns. Have the drums and bass establish the groove in isolation; this is the foundation everything else rides on.
- Shape the trumpet melody with a slight rhythmic swagger. The written notes are the skeleton; the feel comes from laying back slightly on certain eighth notes while pressing ahead on others.
- Encourage soloists to stay grounded in the established groove rather than playing over it. The most effective improvisations honor the relentless funk pocket.
- Balance the ensemble carefully in sections with sustained horn notes. These are harmonic support, not melody; they should sit behind the groove rather than dominate it.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary jazz or funk arrangements to create a modern set, or program it strategically in a concert of jazz standards to remind audiences that jazz is a living art form. It also works wonderfully as a high-energy penultimate piece before a ballad finale, giving the ensemble and audience a chance to move and groove.
Skills your students will build
- Funk groove vocabulary and syncopated rhythmic precision
- Balancing melody and harmonic support within the ensemble
- Solo improvisation over a fixed harmonic structure
- Reading and interpreting contemporary pop/rock harmony in a jazz context
- Stylistic interpretation and ensemble cohesion in non-classical idioms