[Brass/Wind Band] Recommended for Beginners! A Collection of Classics and Popular Pieces Perfect for Practice

JupiterGustav Holst

Jupiter / Holst (Keiichi Kurokawa) Thaxted — A tune from Jupiter by Gustav Holst (arr. Keiichi Kurokawa)

Among the movements of The Planets, a suite for large orchestra composed by the British composer Gustav Holst, the most famous is Jupiter.

In Holst’s home country, the United Kingdom, the melody from the middle section of Jupiter is so beloved that it has been adopted as a patriotic song and a hymn in the Church of England.

In Japan as well, singer Ayaka Hirahara released a song in 2003 titled “Jupiter,” which set lyrics to that middle-section melody and became a major hit.

Many of you have probably heard it somewhere.

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Passion Continent CollectionHakasé Tarō

Passion Continent Collection

This piece by Taro Hakase, a very famous Japanese musician, is a classic that everyone knows.

Its simple yet profound melody makes it easy even for beginners to play.

In the third movement, the grand treatment of the melody becomes irresistibly cool.

Disney’s Fantillusion!Bruce Healey

Wind Ensemble Disney’s Fantillusion, arranged by Hisashi Hoshide, JGSDF Eastern Army Band — Disney’s Fantillusion! by Hisashi Hoshide

It’s a piece of music that’s also very well known as Disneyland’s Electrical Parade.

Its sparkling worldview perfectly captures the Disney atmosphere, and the melody is so enjoyable to listen to.

Although the melody is complex, the piece itself is not very difficult.

El Camino RealAlfred Reed

[Wind Band] El Camino Real / A. Reed [High Quality?].wmv

From the very beginning, the powerful, intense melody is incredibly cool.

The piece is composed of three movements, featuring a strikingly dynamic melodic line with clear contrasts.

The overflowing sense of speed and the relaxed slow tempo alike create melodies that are all very pleasing to the ear.

Rocky ThemeBill Conti

Wind Band Hit: Theme from “Rocky” (Gonna Fly Now)

The 1976 Hollywood film Rocky has long been beloved in Japan as a hugely popular movie.

In particular, its theme song is frequently used as background music on variety shows, so you’ve probably heard it at least once.

In the piece, brass instruments—especially the trumpet—play a powerful role, and the opening fanfare in particular is arranged in a cool way that conveys the fighting spirit of Rocky, played by Sylvester Stallone.

The song is also very popular as a cheer tune for high school baseball.

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Four seascapesBurai-an Barumeijizu

From the 2016 Urasoe Junior High School Wind Ensemble Regular Concert ① “Landscapes of the Four Seas” (Composer: Brian Balmages)

Four Sea Sketches, composed by Brian Balmages, is a four-movement work that portrays animals living in the blue ocean.

While it offers beautiful harmonies in a wind band setting, it is graded at Level 2, making it enjoyable for beginners to perform.

Featuring a woodwind-centered ensemble that evokes a vast seascape, the key is to play with a broad, singing tone at a relaxed tempo.

It is a renowned wind band piece frequently performed at regular concerts and competitions.

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sea sprayKamioka Yoichi

March “Tide Smoke” Yoichi Kamioka

The somewhat enka-like, traditional Japanese melody sticks in your head once you hear it.

It has a very dramatic feel, like a kayōkyoku (Japanese pop) song.

The melody is catchy and cool, so I think it’s a piece that even beginners can play easily and enjoy.