Ya Gotta Try... Harder: Piano Accompaniment
By Sammy Nestico
Grade: 4.5 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0002433_K
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
This is the definitive swing chart composed and arranged by the legendary Sammy Nestico. Straight from the Quincy Jones/Sammy Nestico Orchestra CD, this chart starts off swinging and then swings even more. Packed with classic Nestico swing figures and soaring ensemble. Written for the experienced jazz ensemble, the tempo is definitely brisk and there is plenty of solo space provided for drums, piano, tenor, trumpet, and trombone. Festival and concert material destined for critical acclaim, this chart is absolutely outstanding---a must-have arrangement for every experienced band.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ya Gotta Try... Harder: Piano Accompaniment comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Quincy Jones & Sammy Nestico Premier Jazz
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
128
SKU:
00-PC-0002433_K
More about this title
About the Composer: Sammy Nestico
Sammy Nestico stands as one of the most prolific and respected big band arrangers in jazz history. His career spans decades of writing for the Count Basie Orchestra, the Sinatra orchestra, and countless other ensembles, establishing him as a master of swing writing and ensemble color. His arrangements are celebrated in education and professional settings alike for their clarity, musicality, and unfailing swing feel.
Nestico's work with Quincy Jones produced some of the finest contemporary big band recordings, demonstrating his ability to craft charts that balance sophistication with accessibility for skilled performers. His influence on jazz education is immeasurable; directors turn to his arrangements as models for how swing should sound and how to write for brass sections with both power and finesse.
Why we love this
This arrangement epitomizes Nestico's gift for building momentum and excitement through pure swing architecture. The escalating energy and generous solo space make it an ideal closer for festivals or concerts where you want your ensemble to leave everything on stage. Bands that tackle this chart gain firsthand experience with the harmonic sophistication and rhythmic precision that define professional big band writing.
What to expect
From the opening downbeat, this chart radiates controlled power and unbridled joy. The writing propels the ensemble forward with a series of carefully crafted figures that build intensity without becoming frenetic, punctuated by moments where the whole band swings in unison with undeniable force. Each solo section maintains the chart's infectious energy while giving individual voices room to shine.
Who it's for
This chart requires an experienced jazz ensemble capable of executing complex voicings and maintaining rhythmic precision at a demanding tempo. Your rhythm section must be mature and confident; the forward momentum depends entirely on their understanding of swing subdivision. Soloists need improvisation experience and enough harmonic literacy to navigate changes with authority.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the swing feel immediately in the opening figures. The rhythm section must lock the triplet subdivision; any hesitation will undermine the chart's forward drive.
- Prioritize clarity in the ensemble passages before worrying about volume. Nestico's voicings are sophisticated, and they demand clean attacks and precise intonation to shine.
- Give soloists adequate rehearsal time in small groups before full ensemble run-throughs. The solo sections are generous, and each player needs confidence in their harmonic roadmap.
- Balance the brisk tempo with relaxation. Young ensembles often rush swinging charts when they feel pressure. Remind players that swing comes from the subdivision, not the clock.
How to use it
Reserve this for a festival finale or concert closer where your ensemble can demonstrate mastery at the highest level of jazz ensemble writing. The chart's length and complexity demand a spot where it receives the attention it deserves, not squeezed into a set already heavy with repertoire. Programming it alongside other Nestico charts or within a broader Quincy Jones tribute concert highlights the elegance of his arranging philosophy.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing complex jazz voicings at tempo
- Maintaining swing subdivision under pressure at brisk tempos
- Balance and blend in multi-sectional ensemble writing
- Solo navigation of sophisticated harmonic progressions
- Responding to dynamic and textural cues from the conductor
- Ensemble listening and rhythmic synchronization across sections