Artie Shaw

Begin The Beguine

Artie Shaw recorded this classic many times over the years. Initially he used 4 saxes - 2 Altos and 2 Tenors, and latterly with a regular AATTB section and himself on solo Clarinet. Our transcription is a blend of two versions, with reeds scored AATTB, the lead Alto doubling Clarinet for the solo passages. Parts for CAATTB reeds are also available on request, should your band ever feature a solo Clarinet player. The chart is also scored for 8 brass, and the Tony Pastor Tenor solo is written out in full. Near the end of the piece all saxes are written to double Clarinet. However, we have cued an optional Alto line on the Baritone part in case your bari player doesn't double Clarinet, and the Tenor 2 part may be played on Tenor up an octave from written during this passage, though Alto 2 and Tenor 1 need to double on Clarinet. This chart plays down just like the Shaw original and is a 'must have' for any library.