Hard Knock Rock

Hard Knock Rock is named for the knock-like eighth note rhythms that it contains. The wind parts consist of two basic lines that are doubled throughout the ensemble to boost confidence in younger players and to help cover for sections that may have fewer numbers. The clarinets, alto saxophones, and trumpets have both lines written as a Part 1 and Part 2 to allow the director more flexibility in assigning parts to balance out the ensemble. Some instruments have split notes at certain points to give players with a greater high range the chance to develop that aspect of their skills. For the percussion, Hard Knock Rock is written to work with only a snare drum and bass drum. However, if you have the players, any combination of the other percussion parts adds fun and pizazz to the piece! Mallet parts don't specify a particular mallet instrument to allow for more flexibility in using whatever mallet instruments the conductor prefers. I hope you and your students all enjoy Hard Knock Rock!