The Best of Shorties, Volume 2: Bass Clef Instruments Book

This collection solves a real scheduling challenge: you get 18 performance-ready arrangements in one book, each designed to work in a single rehearsal or two. López understands what bass clef players need to sound confident on familiar material, and the inclusion of keyboard, electric bass, and drumset parts means your pep band can actually function as a cohesive unit without doubling up instruments.

These arrangements capture the energy of their source material without overwhelming young musicians. You'll hear stadium-ready grooves in pieces like Conga and Jungle Boogie alongside sing-along moments in Celebration and We Are Family. The writing keeps bass clef players present and vital rather than relegated to background, which makes the experience of playing these charts genuinely fun.

Bass clef players in marching bands and pep bands at the intermediate level, particularly groups that need quick-turnaround repertoire for football games, pep rallies, and community events. This book is equally valuable for directors balancing limited rehearsal time with the need to keep students engaged in contemporary, recognizable material.

• Balance the low brass and woodwinds carefully in the tightly voiced sections; these charts pack a lot of sound into a short time, and clarity matters more than volume.
• Lock the rhythm section (keyboard, bass, drums) first, then layer in the melody and countermelody parts; the grooves in these arrangements drive everything else.
• Use the shorter length to your advantage by running complete charts back-to-back in rehearsal without fatigue, building ensemble security through repetition.

Build a halftime or pep rally set from this collection by pairing contrasting tempos and styles; opening with Blitzkrieg Bop followed by Hips Don't Lie or Gonna Fly Now creates natural momentum. The patriotic options (The Star-Spangled Banner, Gonna Fly Now) work well for ceremonial moments, while the funk and pop selections keep energy high in casual performance settings.

• Reading and performing in multiple contemporary styles (funk, pop, rock, swing)
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in grooved charts with active rhythm section parts
• Balancing tone production within a bass clef section across different dynamic levels
• Responding to quick stylistic transitions across a single rehearsal or performance