Shout Chorus

This section covers the shout chorus, a written melody played after the solos, just before returning to the main theme.

The shout chorus comes from big band tradition, where it’s used to build energy and bring the arrangement to a peak. In small group settings like this one, it works the same way by adding contrast and momentum before the final melody.

The lines here are more active and dense than the original melody. You’ll see quite a few chromatic notes along the way. These are marked as “cn” in the sheet music. Pay attention to how they connect the scale tones, adding color and movement but still outlining the harmony clearly.

I’ve included the scales in the sheet music. Visualizing the scale behind each phrase helps make sense of the note choices. It’s especially useful when there’s chromatic movement to see what’s inside the scale and what’s outside.

Take this one slow at first. The phrasing is tight and needs control. Once you get it under your fingers, it’s a fun and energetic part of the tune.

Backing Track

Listen & Play-Along