The Beginning Brass Quintet Series is designed for younger brass players getting their first experience with a
small ensemble (and weekend warriors who may not have the time to keep their chops at a professional level and
professionals who like to keep some less taxing arrangements in their concert book).
Instrument ranges are written to Level 2 guidelines, and there are no sixteenth note rhythms. Many phrases
begin with several instruments starting in unison to help young players feel confident and find their partials
before moving into harmony with the rest of the quintet. These arrangements are very straightforward, not
too lengthy, and use a minimum of close harmonies (in other words, the French horn and trombone won't spend the
whole chart a half step away from each other). Despite these guidelines, the pieces all sound very professional
and are suitable for any concert setting. This is a sequel to Zack's best-selling "5 Easy Dixieland" collection
and features another group of beloved New Orleans classics.
Bill Bailey: Starts with a short intro, then trumpets take the melody. Trombone and French horn take it
the second time with a little "tailgate" action in the bone.
Darktown Strutters' Ball: After a short intro the trumpets take the melody. Trombone has the second chorus,
then the ensemble has a shout chorus that will be a lot of fun to play.
Lil' Liza Jane: This classic is done with a New Orleans' second line feel. Up tempo and reminiscent of the
way Dirty Dozen performs it. Trombone has a written solo that could be improvised, and tuba gets a solo as well.
Washington and Lee Swing: One of the most popular school fight songs is also a Dixieland standard. The
trombone takes the lead in the first chorus which is played with a 2-beat feel. The second chorus moves into a
second line groove and the trumpet has lead.
Oh Didn't He Ramble: This New Orleans standard is done with a second line feel as the trombone starts with a
growly tailgate version of the melody. Second trumpet has the next chorus, then the French horn gets their shot
(don't worry, it is easy and very playable!). Sure to make you wonder why the butcher cut him down!
Listen to Bill Bailey.
Listen to Darktown Strutters' Ball.
Listen to Lil' Liza Jane.
Listen to Washington and Lee Swing.
Listen to Oh Didn't He Ramble.
Check out a concert performance of "Bill Bailey" by The Beltway Brass Quintet with vocalist DC Washington.
https://youtu.be/MgPnja3jkiA
Check out a cocktail hour performance of "Darktown Strutters' Ball" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/_8povfXuz8M
Check out a concert performance of "Washington and Lee Swing" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/aUjIEr_K5s4
Check out a cocktail hour performance of "Oh Didn't He Ramble" by The Beltway Brass Quintet.
https://youtu.be/LYgDr6MBfRU
Check out the other selections in the "5 Easy" series on sale here.
5 Easy Christmas Classics
5 Easy Christmas Classics #2
5 Easy Classical Favorites
5 Easy Dixieland Standards #1
5 Easy Scott Joplin Rags
5 Easy Spirituals
5 Easy Stephen Foster Songs
3 Methods of Delivery
Download the arrangement from the link in your
immediate confirmation e-mail
as an Adobe PDF file and pay no shipping fee!
Receive the arrangement as an
e-mail attachment. A $2 handling fee will be included.
(May take 1-2 days.)
