Scoot!

Since this issue features a big band in the recording, it was the perfect opportunity to let your recorder players play along with the ensemble. To do that, we crafted a song that is a tribute to the great Count Basie Orchestra. More specifically, it is a song that was inspired by Neal Hefti's "Cute" from the late '50s/early '60s. Of course, our new tune has a totally different melody and much simpler rhythms so that the recorder players can actually play the melody with the ensemble. They are a section of the band!

Like its inspiration, this tune has the interesting feature of a drum solo in between each phrase, with the drummer playing with brushes. Discuss what these are and how they are played with your students.

The section at bar 23 can be used in several ways. Ideally, you will use it as an opportunity for your players to improvise. With that in mind, we have provided simple scales to use. Some notes in the scales are blacked in. These are notes not found in the melody of the song. You may choose to avoid these in the improv sections. You can use this part of the song for longer improvisation for different players, or break it into short sections, letting the players trade short solos of two or four bars in length. Be sure to inspire your young improvisers with praise and encouragement. Any solo is a good solo for a beginner.