(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (arr. Paul Murtha): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Aretha Franklin / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00429111
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Description
Written specifically for Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul" released this as a single in 1967 and it became one of her signature songs. Here's a powerful version for vocal solo and jazz ensemble sure to be a concert highlight!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00429111
More about this title
About the Artist: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin emerged in the 1960s as one of the most influential vocalists in American music history. Her command of soul, gospel, and R&B fundamentally shaped popular music, and her interpretive gifts made every phrase she sang feel earned and essential.
Beyond her artistry, Franklin's career stands as a masterclass in ownership and conviction. She wrote or co-wrote many of her most celebrated songs, including this one, embedding her own voice and vision into the work itself. For musicians studying interpretation, her recordings remain primary sources in how to inhabit a lyric with authenticity and power.
Why we love this
Murtha's arrangement respects the soul of the original while giving your ensemble genuine work to do. The Grade 3-4 setting means sophisticated voicings and rhythmic independence without requiring virtuosos, making this an excellent choice for groups ready to move beyond pop covers into something with real substance.
What to expect
Confident and grounded. The arrangement carries the warmth and directness of the original recording while adding the textural depth of a full ensemble. Expect your audience to recognize it immediately and your students to feel the satisfaction of executing something that sounds genuinely polished.
Who it's for
Directors programming jazz ensemble concerts who want a showstopper with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for groups that include a strong vocalist and those developing ensemble playing across multiple styles.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the vocal line against the ensemble carefully during the verses; the arrangement should frame the singer, not compete. Have rhythm section rehearse independently first to lock the pocket before adding horns.
- Pay attention to the dynamics on repeated sections. Murtha likely builds intensity or strips things back on returns to familiar material, so resist playing every chorus identically.
- Nail the articulation in the horn section. Soul charts live or die by how crisp and synchronized the section attacks are, especially if there are stabs or punchy fills.
- Let the singer breathe. Mark breaths for yourself as a conductor and don't rush through phrases even when the tempo suggests forward motion.
How to use it
Reserve this for a concert where you want to demonstrate your ensemble's range and professionalism. It pairs beautifully on a program with other soul or rock standards, or as a centerpiece that allows you to showcase both a vocalist and your jazz players in a single feature.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing vocal melody with ensemble accompaniment
- Soul and R&B swing feel and phrasing
- Dynamic control across repeated formal sections
- Ensemble articulation and precision in horn sections
- Listening and responding to a featured soloist