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Puzzle Pieces: Shout Out! is a call-and-response piece designed to encourage creativity, leading and improvisation. Lead the ‘calls’ at first, but encourage players to be the leader when they feel confident to do so. Also try changing the sounds on each repeat (e.g. 1st time - all vocalised, 2nd time - clap/stamp rhythm, 3rd time - play the notes) -
Time to go 8-bit with Puzzle Pieces: Sidescroller, a retro video game-style piece that is deceptively tricky to play along to! Ensure players are confident with the rhythms first before they try with the track. Also encourage advanced players to perform the melody parts as a short solo. -
Time to channel your inner secret agent! Puzzle Pieces: Sneak... is all about being quiet and stylish. Try a different approach to each repeat; 1st time - sing quietly, 2nd time - solo instrument (rest of group click on 2+4), 3rd time - all play, CODA bars, maybe add in a pose for the final two notes! ADDITIONAL SHEETS - Song/text to help recognise the differences in rhythm -
Puzzle Pieces: Spanish Sunset uses the characteristic sound of the Spanish guitar to conjure up the image of a sunset on the Iberian Peninsula. The improvisation in the final pause is optional. This can be played by a soloist or the whole group. -
Puzzle Pieces: Streetlamp Strut is a piece with a laid-back, after-dark, chilled-out feeling about it. When performing with a mixed ensemble, this key of this piece makes it more accessible for wind players than strings, so the parts are quite different in order to facilitate this. -
Puzzle Pieces: Syncopitski is a gentle laid-back piece with a piano-based accompaniment and, as the name suggests, a little bit of syncopation! This is a notated call and response. Be aware that the higher levels (and melody parts) begin playing before the earlier levels! Try performing with and without the words. ADDITIONAL SHEETS - Syncopation rhythm sheets -
Puzzle Pieces: That's a Wrap! is a dramatic piece with percussion and brass flourishes, ideal for finishing a concert set! Perform the finger clicks (or clap/tap) on beats 2 and 4 -
Puzzle Pieces: Waltz Through Paris is a classically elegant Parisian Waltz, which introduces staccato dots and 3/4 time. ADDITIONAL SHEETS: 3/4 explanation sheet. -
In addition to backing tracks for each of the Puzzle Pieces, there are also five additional warm-up tracks in different keys:- Funk Riff (concert Bb)
- Ballad (concert C)
- Kick (concert D)
- Love Song (concert A)
- Samba (percussion sounds only)
