BellyFlop

BellyFlop is a fantastic tune that can start students off with little fear. Although this chart is played with straight eighth notes, it utilizes big band instrumentation and students may begin to become acclimated to playing in a smaller group setting with one student per part. The rhythms in BellyFlop are not very demanding, however, syncopation must be addressed and its role in jazz music emphasized. There are no solos in BellyFlop but there are several solis. This fact may serve the director as jumping off point for discussing the importance of solos and improvisation to jazz music.