Take Five: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Paul Desmond / arr. Paul Cook
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0000003
$60.00
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Description
Here is a great way to introduce 5/4 meter to your band, complete with a student performance sheet that explains the concept to each player. This tune has instant recognition from all music lovers and will reward your players as they experience the new adventures of 5/4 time.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Take Five: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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 Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
118
SKU:
00-PK-0000003
More about this title
About the Composer: Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was an alto saxophonist and composer best known as a founding member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the group that brought jazz into concert halls and college campuses across America. His composition "Take Five" became one of the most recognizable jazz standards of the twentieth century, introducing millions of listeners to unusual meters through a melody so elegant and accessible that it never feels experimental.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures everything that made the original unforgettable while keeping the demands reasonable for Grade 2 players. The included student performance sheet is pedagogically smart; it demystifies 5/4 meter before rehearsals begin, so students understand what they're learning rather than just counting through it. Your band gets to experience genuine jazz history while building comfort with a meter that will appear in countless pieces they'll encounter later.
What to expect
Sophisticated without pretension. The melody floats over a steady groove, and even though the meter is unconventional, the arrangement feels inevitable and natural. There's a coolness to it, a sense of ease and style that shows young musicians that jazz isn't intimidating but genuinely enjoyable.
Who it's for
Any concert band director introducing asymmetrical meters to Grade 2 ensemble. This works equally well for a standalone jazz concert, a world music program exploring non-traditional time signatures, or as a confidence builder on a spring pops concert.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the underlying pulse in 5 before the band enters. Have students tap or count the complete measure several times during warm-up so the asymmetrical grouping becomes intuitive rather than intellectual.
- Balance the melody across sections so the familiar theme stays prominent; the arrangement's texture should support rather than obscure what listeners recognize.
- Let the swing feel breathe without forcing it. This is a relaxed, cool piece, not a hard-driving one, so encourage a laid-back articulation in the rhythm section.
How to use it
Place this early in a jazz-themed concert or as a bridge between classical standards and contemporary repertoire. The instant recognition factor makes it an audience favorite, and the pedagogical payoff gives students tangible evidence that they've expanded their musical vocabulary.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing in 5/4 meter
- Understanding swing articulation and phrasing
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion across an asymmetrical time signature
- Recognizing and playing a foundational jazz standard