The Bare Necessities (from The Jungle Book): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Terry Gilkyson / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK00337715
$45.00
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Description
Ever since "The Bare Necessities" was first introduced in the classic movie "The Jungle Book", this catchy tune has remained a familiar favorite. Featured again in the 2016 movie, here is an easy arrangement that will make your young ensemble sound terrific.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00337715
More about this title
About the Artist: Terry Gilkyson
Terry Gilkyson wrote "The Bare Necessities" with composer Phil Harris, creating one of Disney's most enduring and singable melodies. His work in film and television demonstrated a gift for writing accessible, memorable songs that appeal across generations and age groups. For music educators, Gilkyson's catalog represents the kind of material that engages young performers while maintaining genuine musical substance.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the laid-back charm of the original without requiring advanced harmonic reading or complex rhythmic figures. Young ensembles can sound polished and confident on this piece almost immediately, which builds momentum and enthusiasm early in the rehearsal year. The Grade 1.5 level means your section leaders can focus on ensemble balance and phrasing rather than fighting the notes.
What to expect
Carefree and groovy, with the musical equivalent of sitting back and relaxing. The arrangement has a conversational quality that makes it feel more like jamming with friends than performing a formal piece.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the beginning level benefit enormously from material this accessible. This works equally well for your younger combos or any group still developing facility with jazz vocabulary and style conventions.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the swing feel relaxed and conversational rather than strict. The tune thrives when the rhythm section settles into a comfortable pocket.
- Balance the melody against supporting voices so the familiar tune cuts through without the accompaniment receding into thinness.
- Shape phrases naturally, avoiding the trap of making every measure feel identical. Let the contour of the melody breathe.
- Check that younger players understand what a 'laid-back' swing feel means by playing alongside the recorded accompaniment and matching its looseness.
How to use it
Open a pops concert with this one. It arrives as a familiar, immediately recognizable signal to your audience that the evening will blend entertainment with musicianship. You might also pair it with other Disney or film music to create a thematic set that showcases young jazz players tackling contemporary material.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and jazz articulation
- Reading jazz chord symbols and changes
- Balancing melody and accompaniment in an ensemble setting
- Responding to a conductor's phrasing while maintaining rhythmic independence
- Stylistic flexibility (shifting from straight quarter notes to a relaxed swing eighth-note feel)