Hesitating Blues, The
W C Handy (arr. William Grant Still)
This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it,
please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information. |
General Info
Year: 1916
Duration: c. 3:05
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Pace & Handy
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.
For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.
Instrumentation
D-flat Piccolo
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo-II
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet Solo-II
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion
(percussion detail desired)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Hesitation Blues is a popular song adapted from a traditional tune. One version was published by Billy Smythe, Scott Middleton, and Art Gillham. Another was published by W.C. Handy as Hesitating Blues. Because the tune is traditional, many artists have taken credit as writer, frequently adapting the lyrics of one of the two published versions. Adaptations of the lyrics vary widely, though typically the refrain is recognizably consistent. The song is a jug band standard and is also played as blues and sometimes as Western swing.
- Program Note from Wikipedia
Media
(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Kyle Rhoades, conductor) - 14 November 2021
- Columbus (Ohio) State Community College Concert Band (Thomas Lloyd, conductor) - 5 March 2019
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- St. Louis Blues (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Booker) (1914/2017/2020)
All Wind Works
- Beale Street Blues (arr. Henderson; adapt. Marshall) (1916/1992)
- Hail to the Spirit of Freedom
- The Hesitating Blues (arr. Still) (1916)
- Loveless Love (1921)
- Memphis Blues
- St Louis Blues (arr. Henderson) (1914/2003)
- St. Louis Blues (arr. Booker) (1914/2017)
- St. Louis Blues (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Booker) (1914/2017/2020)
- St. Louis Blues March (arr. Gray) (1914/1948)
- Yellow Dog Blues (arr. Clark) (1919)
Resources
- Handy, W.; Still, W. (1916). Hesitating Blues [score]. Pace & Handy Music: [s.l.].
- Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "W.C. Handy." Accessed 31 July 2019
- Hesitation Blues, Wikipedia Accessed 31 July 2019