Take the ‘A’ Train
Billy Strayhorn / Duke Ellington Orchestra
Alternative embedded performance: Duke Ellington Orchestra — Take the A Train (1943). The preferred recording remains linked on YouTube.
First listen
Listen once without writing. What do you notice?
Listen closely
1 PULSEDoes the beat feel straight or bouncy?
Sentence stemThe beat feels ___.
Vocabulary
- bouncy
- steady
- swing-like
2 TIMBREWhich instruments take turns playing?
Sentence stemI can hear ___.
Vocabulary
- saxophone
- trumpet
- piano
- drums
3 STRUCTURECan you hear a tune return after another player has had a turn?
Sentence stemThe tune comes back after ___.
Vocabulary
- tune
- solo
- return
4 DYNAMICSWhen does the band sound bigger or quieter?
Sentence stemThe band sounds ___.
Vocabulary
- bigger
- louder
- quieter
5 ARTICULATIONDo the notes sound smooth or short?
Sentence stemThe notes sound ___.
Vocabulary
- smooth
- short
- bouncy
How does this piece make you feel?
There is no right or wrong answer. Which words match your response?
calmexcitedhopefulcuriousjoyfulpowerfulpeacefultensedreamybravethoughtfulenergeticmysteriouscomfortedrestlessproudsadsurprisedupliftedfocused
Music through time
1939 · Big-band jazz
- Medieval500–1400
- Baroque1600–1750
- Classical1750–1820
- Romantic1820–1900
- 20th century1900–2000
- Contemporary2000–present