Bayou Breakdown by Brant Karrick - Score & Sound

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Bayou Breakdown
By Brant Karrick
Item: 00-22279
Series: Alfred Concert Band
Grade 4
Format: Conductor Score & Parts
This fun and whimsical work creates a piece that will provide musical and technical challenges for performers yet can be immediately enjoyed by the listener, musician, and non-musician alike. Starting with a four-part fugue scored for woodwinds, the work then moves to a folk song-like lyrical theme, then eventually back to the initial fugue. ""Bayou Breakdown"" is a perfect showpiece for your band! (4:25) This title is available in SmartMusic.
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[@quacksalotwaddl]

This has been the "Careless Whisper" of our high school's saxophone section for the past 2 years. They will constantly play it over and over again.

[@alexantrim9528]

I think that's a saxophone thing. Its been four months since I've preformed this, and I still can't get over it.

[@datmangotho9618]

ahh as an alto sax I love it so much lol it’s so fun to play!! I just wish I could play it up to speed 💀

[@seanrichardson2331]

felt this. the first thing i ever played on alto sax after being switched by my director that year (2019) from clarinet. let's just say i fell in love with sax instantly

[@BabbsyBaby]

i played this an eighth grade (im now in highschool, I play tenor sax) and I will never stop playing ts

[@JudgementDragon]

For us it was rusty bucket

[@aarongrafastronaaron6563]

Rest in piece woodwinds......

[@themusicalgamer3510]

Rest in peace lows as well

[@josephweiner6809]

You should see Arabesque, starts with a 30 bar flute cadenza, then has a 6/4 measure to fit the trills in

[@baritoneboy]

@@josephweiner6809 I love that piece

[@masongenke5439]

I’m a trombonist. I struggle to physically move my arm this fast.

[@bovineking8927]

They will be missed. Except the last chair clarinet. What was their name again?

[@robinlutz8795]

Playing is high school wind symphony, our director either has really high expectations or wants to see us suffer.

[@bradenmeyer5244]

Robin Lutz our secondary band played this with out a problem this piece is a fucking cakewalk

[@Prongle]

Bruh i feel the same way

[@toastman6817]

Dude this really isn't bad, we had to play Molly on the Shore at 113 for music for all. And even more epic, this is the first Mvmt for our 2021 marching band show

[@seagoddess9937]

Was it Land o Lakes by any chance?

[@bruhgronk6710]

@@bradenmeyer5244 tru

[@splodinatekabloominate846]

We played this in region band... let's just say we really put the "breakdown" in it

[@onyx3363]

Splodinate Kabloominate same what region?

[@splodinatekabloominate846]

@@onyx3363 NJ region 1

[@Jason-od3fh]

As a Bari Sax player, I enjoyed playing this, especially because this was an opportunity where I don’t get to play whole notes and half notes all the time

[@themusicalgamer3510]

That is exactly how I saw it but the other Bari just likes the part with whole notes and half notes

[@connorhoward5235]

Yeah. I'm happy to be playing this as a bari sax.

[@ayliafino2302]

Jason Sichique it’s sooooo hard tho lmao

[@rhysaguirre6967]

Be a tuba player before you complain lmao

[@dcthedarksoulsdude7160]

As a tuba bro, I feel that

[@usetobethemagicpillownowit9130]

You could hear all the clarinets trying to all sync up in the begging and the like “gotta catch up!” No hate really good 😂

[@midnightcoupe228]

This piece was so much fun to rehearse and perform. It never got old or boring. Almost every section has you on your feet. I do feel a little bad about the insanity that is the Clarinet section. I was the only Alto 1in my band, but it was always a great time

[@londondeer]

Can testify that the clarinet part was awesome too!! Took forever to get, but oh my god it was so fun once I nailed it :')

[@rogernelsonjr6969]

alto 1 on bayou was my favorite thing that i had the chance to play last year

[@rogernelsonjr6969]

no hate on ride which we also played but this was my favorite song we did

[@GAMEDATA1010]

playing this rn in highschool as a clarinetist this is gonna be hard but so much fun

[@epsilon2160]

I always get second alto

[@harleygroves7543]

Playing this in my college band. I would like to have a “Mental” breakdown, not a bayou breakdown.

[@crestenor]

That was almost exactly what I thought when I had to play piccolo on this my sophmore year in high school.

[@samfish90212]

We were only able to play it for one year because the berry sax didn’t stick around.

[@maxwe1149]

Bruh I’m a high school freshman playing the euphonium part. Gonna cry

[@luckydaisydo2002]

​@maxwe1149 I understand the pain lmaoo

[@bayleighleadmon7008]

i love how i’m seeing college bands playing this but my HIGH SCHOOL band director gave this to my band and we aren’t even the highest band it’s pretty difficult. i can’t really complain though because our wind ensemble played Lincolnshire Posey by Grainger. band at my school is the big difficult

[@crestenor]

Mine too. We played Sun Dance two years ago (my freshman year) and this year we did this. I played piccolo both years.

[@sbrrry06]

at my school me and a few 7th graders are joining a high school and I just have a feeling of relief that I'm not a clarinet

[@connorhoward5235]

Lincoln Shire is fun... (Sorta)

[@callielawrence9132]

my middle school band teacher gave this to us, and we were actually able to play it through. don’t ask me how😅

[@oculusiswaytoofun6648]

We’re learning this rn and I’m in 8th grade for honors band it’s going pretty good

[@XayJ89]

I remember playing this for a competition and forgetting my music folder on the bus. The director was literally about to cry and I was like, “watch me work.” He closed his eyes on my solo and I played it better than we ever rehearsed it and his sign of relief was extremely heavy! Great memories!

[@expired5949]

jacin

[@hdproductions5869]

What instrument was it on?

[@ImBlueDaBaDeeDaBaDai]

Perks of memorizing music

[@breezy9617]

As a bassoon with the solo part I gotta say, this is the best music I've ever played

[@democritus3133]

Yeah we’re performing next week and that solo has me super excited

[@OhDasGood]

The tuba part is perfection.

[@jtpiano4937]

I agree

[@olivebrb1738]

tuba here, had like 6 mental breakdowns trying to play this in HS wind symphony

[@jakeg1443]

this piece holds a special place in my heart because i passed out in concert playing the opening bassoon part 5 years ago. i still think about it quite often 😀

[@jamesavatar5]

Even though this piece is difficult, it's SUCH a good feeling to master and a true joy to play. Also, the crowd loves this kind of silly music and they love it too.

[@micaelawalsh3598]

The xylo part is soo complicated,,,, there’s no sticking combination that makes sense! I’m glad I finally figured it out the day before the concert loll

[@rh88841]

Actually if I remember rightly for the main melody every other note was a b flat, and so I just kept my left mallet there and only moved my right arm. I too played this last year, it was my senior year. I definitely never learned that insane part though that was after the weird 8 measures that sounds like a brick was thrown in a washing machine lol

[@yee34152]

@@rh88841 Yea that part is uhh, not great to say the least. That's basically the only part i practice and i still can't get it right 4 out of 5 times about

[@casualgamefreak]

Such a fun song to play. 4:20 is just pure chaos, but it's my favorite part for some reason. That and 1:40. I always love a good challenge, and that's what this piece gave me. Euphonium for life.

[@TJmanGaming]

Amen brother

[@sir_phnx3582]

Euphonium gang

[@commanderowen]

Euph gang

[@shopnil4]

Nice, another euphonium player!

[@axer6570]

tuba part goes CRAZY

[@jtpiano4937]

indeed it do

[@HERO_9488]

It makes me crazy 💀 my teacher droppes this on us as a high school band and just said have fun lmao

[@gwenchappell1477]

Played this in an honor band. Love the bass clarinet part:) one of the few songs that has an interesting part for it

[@edwardcolhoun6360]

Bass clarinet represent!

[@COVID--kf3tx]

Bass clarinet gang ahaha today went really bad (couldn't play the part) so now I'm gonna grind it out

[@killua_baby6834]

same here

[@mimpro]

BASS CLARINETS REJOICE

[@monosalmon]

HELL YEA BASS CLARINETS REJOICE

[@estonhall5364]

I played this in an honor band when I was a senior in high school. I had just come off of practicing the music for All-State, so I never looked at this song until about a week before the performance...I played 2nd Clarinet.

[@bayleighleadmon7008]

Eston Hall OOOOF. I’m playing second clarinet on this piece rn and it’s rough

[@dorenzahid5244]

By far the most fun piece i've played as a tuba, mostly because we don't have a bassoon and i got to play the beginning string

[@quentinm.williams9]

this songs sounds fun but very catastrophic

[@crestenor]

It is fun, but it is also catastrophic if people don't know how to play it.

[@roxieann7885]

Imagine being a high school bass clarinet player and having to sight-read this piece for two weeks until you finally understand how to play it. YIKES

[@krakennekark]

stop attacking me

[@mimpro]

Not me being exactly that

[@redo4302]

its so funny to see all these high schoolers playing this piece and saying its hard. like gosh i must be so talented because im playing this while only in my mothers womb !!

[@mattdeveer3102]

my friend played the solo and I bet it was ten times better!!!!!! (😡) I mean I probably could have played it better but I wasn't in the band playing it also I'm 2 years old and I'm already as good as my older brother who has a band so HA (😡)

[@luke_voight]

I played these trumpet solos when I was a fetus and not to toot my own horn but I was amazing

[@redo4302]

Luke Voight i bet i tooted my god damn horn better than you did

[@mattdeveer3102]

@@redo4302 well I bet my friend lucas with ONE s tooted his horn better than you. cockis.

[@redo4302]

Matt de Veer i bet you're just jealous that MY name has two s' cummer

[@robertramos645]

Survived this piece, one of the more challenging ones, played alto 1 with my local community band. We only had 5 (2 hr rehearsals, played like 8 pieces) did not do too shabby either and I got the solo/duet! 👌

[@gabofihi007]

I remember playing this song in grade 9 band as snare drum, now I'm grade 12 and I heard we are playing it again in senior band.

[@rainier2k_4]

Same. I played it as a freshman on bass trombone. Now I’m the first chair senior

[@wyguy9978]

my highschool band director took advantage of our spring concert being delayed until june so he promptly gave us this to work on for 9 months, absolutely amazing piece

[@OhDasGood]

My high school Cosby high school wind ensemble played this for our spring concert. My friend was 1st chair tuba Virginian all state band and popped OFF. It sounded amazing.

[@bulbushead_gang4739]

As a tuba player (the only one) I was guaranteed the solo.

[@jtpiano4937]

no same 💀

[@Derek-fd4rx]

So fun fact, Brant Karrick is currently my band director over at NKu 😂

[@alainaspencer4338]

Yo, same

[@briannawrightson8184]

Played this at band camp this year… stressful as a bassoon player.

[@isabellegoldammer21]

My band director wants to play this because apparently it’s better for bassoonists than Alligator Alley. The 2nd bassoon and I believe otherwise.

[@epsilonnightshade]

My mom played the main tune to this on the piano today, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember it’s name and she didn’t know it because she knew it from something else. I spent a solid 30 minutes looking through old band music and finally found it!😂😂 Such a fun song.

[@splendakun5854]

my high school band is playing this and..... its called breakdown for a reason

[@sallyburke6159]

i fucking LOVE this piece!! karrick really said euphonium rights

[@nikomitrione]

We’re kinda playing this in our high school concert band rn, I love it, love the tuba part.

[@jtpiano4937]

ME TOO

[@amireah.]

I just love how the Bari sax started the peice

[@ADtheUber]

Bari sax only has queues it doesn't play there 😅

[@johntruitt4099]

In my 48 year career as a high school band director I programmed very few grade 4 pieces, and this was one of them! The year we played it, I had all the horses to do the job, and everyone had a great time. Compositionally, this is one of the finer pieces of writing for band, with interesting and challenging parts throughout the ensemble, and both busy and lyrical styles woven together in masterful fashion. It is also a great way to introduce fugal composition to band students. If I ever get to meet Brant Karrick, I will tell him how much his piece meant to me and my band!

[@hunterwilliams754]

Finally a fun tuba part!

[@jtpiano4937]

REALO

[@zubetp]

this piece caused a rift in wind ensemble at Grandview High in 2009. all the kids decided our band director was expecting too much of them to learn this syncopation lmao. too challenging, i guess! i couldn't relate. i still remember the fingering, the rhythm. and there's no such thing as "too challenging" in music 😊

[@youtubeminute4388]

Brother told me this is the next thing he’s doing in band, can’t wait to hear him practice as the flute.

[@pizzaisgoodidk7370]

Hey you look familiar

[@youtubeminute4388]

@@pizzaisgoodidk7370 oh duck

[@yuliyatysyachuk9273]

our school is actually in the middle of bayou la batre, or as locals call it, the bayou, and this song was so hard to play but we did it

[@cin_tetas]

Dang I’m playing this as a freshman

[@Gavman_Gaming_09_79]

I hope to play this as a sophomore in the top band.

[@peachy4128]

We’re playing this in my band, and I’ve just decided to name my 2nd semester “Bayou Breaking down”. :)

[@bassbone2473]

I remember playing the euphonium part of this with my high school band, it was one of my favorites along with Barnum and Bailey's Favorite

[@lordgdfarquad3114]

Played 1st trumpet on this as a sophomore. It's hard to learn and does take some good control but after you get the hang of it it's pretty easy.

[@dunkleosteus7535]

3:26

[@killua_baby6834]

played this during honors band really enjoyed it ❤

[@quentinm.williams9]

One of the best band pieces! Never got to perform but I love listening to it!

[@nathanbrokering6584]

The alto sax part slaps hard

[@calebs7723]

Played this for a 2 day honor band, great piece

[@waytoobiased]

this goes so hard

[@colevano]

Playing this for the first performance of the year. And it’s in a gym :(

[@qtone5385]

Bruh, how was it lol😂

[@marknorris2758]

I’m playing this in a regional band as an eighth grade so wish me luck

[@Thecubiccat]

I just watched my high school play this!

[@blobcookie]

First time I’ve seen high e used on alto in a concert band piece

[@rocksanuh]

Playing this in 7th grade. ❤ Wish me luck 😂

[@tremyers9102]

really?

[@quentinm.williams9]

7th grade. yall better be a good ass middle school band 😂😂

[@tremyers9102]

@@quentinm.williams9 ikr

[@qtone5385]

How?

[@waytoobiased]

F

[@marcynados]

My high school band director has us playing this for our concert at the same time as all county and right after mpa with our concert less than a month away and us having spring break

[@mixedwolf7008]

We’re playing this and I’m a freshman in high school concert band

[@jtpiano4937]

me but Im in 8th 😭

[@Robloxpro28]

Im in middle school, but my high school band played this (but quite a bit slower) and they sounded amazing. But when I look at the sheet music i actually have a heart attack lol

[@splendakun5854]

My high school band had to play this 2 years ago. We're all still traumatized

[@BladeTNT2018]

That music is so insane

[@abaemperor893]

[@usetobethemagicpillownowit9130]

I’m a 7th grader I don’t play this but I really want to!!!! Maybe in high school cause the trumpets....anyways I tried first wasn’t the hardest but really fun!!! (I play clarinet)

[@asianguy4868]

Peter Joss-Green lol oof

[@bayleighleadmon7008]

UseToBeTheMagicPillow Now it’s oh yeah yeah you don’t want to play this. i promise. i play clarinet as well and this piece will make you have a mental breakdown. the entire last page of this piece is 16th notes and they aren’t even runs. BUT if you do get this piece, practice it. a lot. some parts are really simple but most of it even for low clarinets is 16th notes

[@bayleighleadmon7008]

UseToBeTheMagicPillow Now it’s oh yeah yeah if you want to learn i really fun piece for clarinet i recommend looking at Emblem of Unity by J.J. Richards. it has some really nice clarinet parts and it’s a really powerful march

[@asianguy4868]

Bayleigh Leadmon I will look into it 😂

[@asianguy4868]

Bayleigh Leadmon though I like this price cause it’s really catchy and easy to get stuck in your head plus it’s not the hardest grade 4 anndddd clarinet gets lots of important roles

[@holychlorine9821]

As a Tenor sax i got to solo with a flute, man that was crazy.

[@tacomania9844]

"Bayou (mental) Breakdown" lol- but in all seriousness, this piece is a ton of fun to play and has killer parts for everyone :)

[@kinglunarchy9417]

My high school's symphonic band got unanimous superior with this song :D

[@bradynickols9630]

If 2020 had a theme song

[@certifiedbandnerd756]

Me and my section have renamed this to “Mental Breakdown” because it has dead ass caused all of us mental breakdowns

[@veryslowproductions1829]

Now play this at 2X speed

[@michaelnwokorie8648]

Played this in HS was director said it’s a Louisiana version of Molly on the Shore

[@ailuridayze]

It’s played so much slower here than we’re having to play it it’s giving me a bit of a mental breakdown 😂

[@sharrkboy]

bayou breakdown gonna give me a breakdown ( -flute player)

[@laurentucci9571]

This is the most Grainger thing that isn't Grainger

[@stevanekear7665]

We might play this in band and if we do I play a bass clarinet and wow interesting music for me ( my detector gives me low parts most of the time)

[@AzurityArts]

Tom and Jerry, but they're having a funky breakdown

[@willbean4017]

I don’t see how this is only a level 4😢

[@aname2513]

5 trumpets in my section, me (freshman) sophmore and senior are the only ones that play, (other 2 are afraid of playing out)

[@justinkidd7634]

The Dark Souls of Middle School band music.

[@brenden6693]

It’s funny to see people playing this in high school or college but I’m still in grade school and this is my third year playing my instrument and I’m playing this piece outside of school! I am really caught up with everyone older than me! :)

[@BlueDevils_42]

Does anybody else hear the alto sax solo mess up the rhythm at 3:23? Very slight mistake but it’s not the same rhythm as shown in the sheet music.

[@krakennekark]

yeah its kinda slow and fumbly

[@JacksonAugmented5555]

As someone who has to play that solo next week, it’s stressful af 😅

[@KailasBalchand]

I cant play this part at 1:40

[@joelneo0303]

Sounds like a Grainger-inspired piece

[@lemons3820]

I breakdance just from looking at the sheet music

[@LarryVanBuren]

the pain of a hs freshman

[@Yoshikage__Kira]

Toy Story Monsters University soundin ahh song

[@fletcherheynen4477]

Lol I played this many years ago. Oboe? more like oboi...

[@rubymosquito763]

On my band’s board it says try not to have a bayou breakdown

[@goodsprings5271]

How tf is this a 4?

[@londondeer]

Clarinet part was SO much fun to play, especially the part at 3:05 :)

[@rsettasirens677]

Bro I played this in middle school 😭

[@Qomber9596]

Why did they have 7th and 8th graders playing this😂😂 we in fact did sound good. But im realizing how good all county band used to be. Sheeeesh

[@epsilon2160]

3:05 3:15

[@aname2513]

I thought this piece was fun but my instructor said it was too hard for us after a day or 3

[@beegtea]

Lower woodwinds torture

[@papps2758]

this song makes me feel goofy

[@splinky526]

The good thing that came from a swamp

[@jacobthelord]

any trombones? only me? ok

[@strangebones2000]

This song sure makes me sick like bayou water does

[@skyleigh5844]

the only way this would be better is if it's a bayou break dance instead

[@jacobvisser3466]

Played this in gr 10 my band teacher wants us to suffer

[@kiminokao3152]

My section leader plays this to flex on us so im gonna learn it to piss him off