Black Is Black Concert Band - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1905131

Black Is Black, the iconic 1966 hit by Spanish rock band Los Bravos, gets a full Concert Band treatment in this energetic arrangement for wind band with optional rock rhythm section. The piece preserves the driving energy and catchy melodic hooks of the original recording while being fully accessible to intermediate-level ensembles.

The arrangement covers the complete song structure: Intro, Verses 1 & 2 (with repeat), Chorus, Verse 3, Chorus, Verse 4, and Outro, totaling approximately 79 measures at ♩= 129.

Instrumentation includes: Flute 1 & 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1–3, Eb Alto Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Sax 1 & 2, Bb Tenor Sax, Eb Baritone Sax, Bb Trumpet 1 & 2, F Horn 1 & 2, C Trombone 1 & 2, C Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells, Xylophone, Timpani, and Tambourine.

Rock rhythm section (Guitar, Electric Bass, Keyboard, Drumset, and Singer) parts are included. Of these, Drumset is the only required part — Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, and Singer are fully optional. The arrangement is complete and musically self-sufficient without them, making it ideal for traditional wind band settings without a rhythm section or vocalist. When no Singer is present, the vocal melody is cued in the Flute, Vibraphone, and Glockenspiel parts, ensuring full melodic continuity.


Difficulty: Grade 3 (Medium)

This arrangement is rated Grade 3, suitable for advancing school ensembles, youth wind bands, and community bands. The writing is straightforward throughout, with clear rhythmic patterns and idiomatic parts for all instruments. Directors should be aware of the following passages that reach beyond the general difficulty level of the arrangement:

• Flutes reach G6 (five ledger lines above the treble staff) at peak moments. If needed, this passage can be assigned to a Piccolo.
• Bb Clarinets reach A5 (one ledger line above the treble staff) in melodic sections, requiring confident upper-register playing.
• Vibraphone requires four-mallet technique for chordal passages in the Chorus sections. This part can alternatively be split between two players or simplified to two voices at the director's discretion.
• Tuba and Euphonium sustain continuous eighth-note patterns throughout much of the piece at ♩= 129, which can be physically demanding. Both parts are doubled by Bass Clarinet and Baritone Saxophone, giving directors the flexibility to have players rest selectively without any loss of musical content.