Horn Charts Series: "Sir Duke"

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I can't think of a more poignant example of the challenges facing playing a wind instrument and keyboards than this song and it's signature line written by Stevie Wonder. Everything in this pentatonic-ish "horn line" showcases the ease of playing in B major on the keyboard. Meanwhile, horn players are left out in the cold as they try to acquire the technique to play this on their instruments.

Everything about this line—its tempo, rhythms, key center, and especially the range—are some of the most challenging for horn players to master. Within the horn family, brass players in particular have always struggled to play this line correctly and in tune while sax players seem to pick it up almost immediately. As a trombonist, I've always sneered at sax player hubris when it comes to their technical fluency and speed as I work doubly hard just trying to keep up...

My suggestion is to break this line into small bits (no more than 2 measures at a time) in order to internalize the timing and rhythms. It would benefit the student to practice their concert B major pentatonic scale forwards, backwards and in as many patterns as possible. Once this sequence of notes become more natural, the notes will come, I promise. And, of course, start slow before speeding it up.

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See the Horn Charts archive here

In my ongoing effort to distribute correct information and spread goodwill, I'm posting PDF files of my transcribed horn charts for pop/variety band (3-piece: trumpet, tenor sax, trombone). I consider these selections as standard repertoire for the modern commercial musician, so think of these as educational tools to help you get through the gig. Like a Real Book for the pop musician—except with editing.