Brother james' air
James leith macbeth bain
arr. douglas E. wagner - Grade 1
About the music
Not much is known about the Scottish hymnwriter James Leith MacBeth Bain, but his tune has found its way into hymnals set to several text. One of the texts used, found in The Scottish Psalter, is a rhymed and metered version of Psalm 23. Here is the first staza:
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down to lie
In Pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet water by.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
In Pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet water by.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
Tempo & style
With expression; not too slow (QN=ca. 80)
A bit slower
A bit slower
Ranges
Flute
|
Clarinet
|
Trumpet
|
Trombone
|
instrumentation
WOODWIND
Flute Oboe Bassoon Clarinet Bass Clarinet Alto Sax Tenor Sax Baritone Sax |
BRASS
Trumpet French Horn Trombone Baritone Tuba |
PERCUSSION
Bells Chimes Crash Cymbals Snare Drum Bass Drum Suspended Cymbal Triangle World Parts Available |
teaching concept categories
teaching considerations
The tune of this piece is simple to learn and very singable. Considering having the band sing the melody on a neutral syllable, solfege, and or the text from Psalm 23. It would be advisable to work with students on the various quarter and eighth note rhythms in their various combinations beforehand. Some of the instruments have entrances on the "and" of beat one, and others enter on a quarter-note pick up, both of which are less common in beginning band literature.
Resources
Available on SmartMusic
JW Pepper - Brother James' Air
Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume 2
JW Pepper - Brother James' Air
Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume 2