There's the Rub: Score
By Gordon Goodwin / arr. Peter Blair
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0005315
$9.00
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Description
It's funky and accessible---it's a Gordon Goodwin tune arranged for young band. The tempo is around 180 BPM with written-out solos available for any saxophone. The lead trumpet range is to written G on top of the staff. Great chart! (2:38)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, There's the Rub: Score 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:
Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
98
SKU:
00-PR-0005315
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin began composing full orchestrations in his head at age five, writing down complete pieces rather than fragments or sketches. By thirteen, he had already created his first big band chart, Hang Loose, signaling the exceptional talent that would define his career. His work has earned three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations, with film scores for Bad Boys II, Con Air, Remember the Titans, Star Trek: Nemesis, and Armageddon showcasing his range across genres.
Beyond Hollywood, Goodwin has arranged and composed for artists including Christina Aguilera, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Toni Braxton, while conducting major symphony orchestras across North America and Europe. Since 2000, he has led Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, a Los Angeles-based ensemble that has become a Grammy-nominated force in contemporary jazz, releasing albums that blend big band tradition with modern production and compositional sophistication.
Why we love this
Goodwin's ear for what excites young players is on full display here. The funky groove sits perfectly at Grade 2, never condescending, while the written-out saxophone solos give your section players real material to dig into rather than generic chord changes. This is the kind of chart that gets students genuinely interested in jazz ensemble.
What to expect
Funky and immediate. There's a modern groove underneath the jazz framework, the kind of writing that hooks student players from the first rehearsal. The solos invite personality and interpretation, giving the piece flexibility while the rhythm section drives a confident, danceable pocket.
Who it's for
Young jazz ensemble programs looking for accessible, genuinely swinging repertoire that doesn't talk down to students. The Grade 2 level makes it reachable for developing sections, while the Goodwin pedigree and contest-ready arrangement appeal to directors who want substance alongside accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the groove first. At 180 BPM, the pocket matters more than perfection; get the rhythm section locked in before layering the horn lines.
- Feature your saxophone soloists in rehearsal. Give them time to internalize their written parts so they can commit to the style and feel rather than reading through.
- Balance the lead trumpet carefully. The written G on top demands a strong player who can project without cracking; make sure your section supports rather than overwhelms.
How to use it
Program this on a jazz festival or contest where it can sit alongside more traditional swing charts and showcase the ensemble's contemporary chops. It also works perfectly as a second-half opener for a jazz concert, energizing the room after a ballad or straight-ahead swing tune.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady pulse in funk and contemporary jazz idioms
- Reading and executing written jazz solos with stylistic interpretation
- Balancing blend and intonation in the upper register (lead trumpet)
- Understanding groove and pocket as ensemble concepts, not just individual accuracy