Strike Up The Band

by George Gershwin
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Lyrics

(F)We (Bbm)must have mu (Ebm)sic (Bb7)in (Ebm)the (Bbm)land, rum ta ta (Fm)tum tum (C)tum!

(F7)For (Bbm)ev ery bo (Ebm)dy (Bb7)loves (Ebm)a (Bbm)band, rum ta ta (Fm)tum tum (C)tum!

A (Fm)good old (Eb)rous ing (Ab)me lo (Bbm)dy is a (Fm)joy and (C7)in spi (Fm)ra tion, (C7)a (F)hund red (C7)mil lion (F)folks a (Bb)gree that a (F)tune can (C7)stir a (F)na tion, (F7)so, (Bbm)mu sic mas (Ebm)ter, (Bb7)take (Ebm)com (Bbm)mand, rum ta ta (Fm)tum tum (C)tum!

(F7)Our (Bbm)hearts will beat to beat the (Eb9)band, (Bbm)rum ta ta tum tum, (Fm)rum ta ta tum tum, (Gbmaj7)rum ta ta tum tum (F)tum!

Let the (Bb)drums roll out,

let the (Bdim7)trum pet call,

while the (F7)peo ple shout,

“Stike up the (Bb)band!”

(Bb7)Hear the (Eb)cym bals ring,

call ing (Edim7)one and all

to that hap (Bb7)py swing,

stike up the (Eb)band!

(C)Yank ee (Bb)doo doo dle (Gm)oo, doo dle (Bb)oo,

(Eb)we’ll come (Am)through doo dle (D7)oo, doo dle (Am)oo,

(D7)for the (Gm)red white and (C7)blue, doo dle (Gm)oo

(C7)lend a (F7)hand!

With the (Bb)flag un furled,

we can (Dm7)face the (G7)world.

(Cm7)Hey (Gm)lea (Eb)der, (E)strike (F7sus4)up

(F13)the (Bb)band!

Let the (Bb)drums roll out,

Boom boom boom!

Ta ta ra ta ta ta ta!

Hoo ray!

(Bb)band!”

(Bb7)Hear the (Eb)cym bals ring,

Tazing Tszing tszing!

Ta ta ra ta ta ta ta!

Left, right!

(Eb)band!

(C)And we’ll (Bb)all give a (Gm)cheer, as we (Bb)stand (Eb)to the (Am)man with the (D7)stick in his (Am)hand.

(D7)He’s

(Gm)man who’s com (C7)mand of the (Gm)band, (C7)makes the (F7)band,

and you (Bb)can’t go wrong

with a (Dm7)hap py (G7)song.

(Cm7)Hey (Gm)lea (Eb)der, (E)strike (F7sus4)up

(F13)the (Bb)band!

Let the (Bb)band!

Strike Up The Band — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

3 people have learned this song

Classic piano notation for "Strike Up The Band" by George Gershwin as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Bb — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 100 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Bb) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Strike Up The Band”

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "Strike Up The Band" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Bb, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Strike Up The Band" by George Gershwin in?
The backing track is in Bb at 100 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Strike Up The Band" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Strike Up The Band"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Strike Up The Band", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Strike Up The Band" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Strike Up The Band"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Strike Up The Band"?
"Strike Up The Band" was originally performed by George Gershwin. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by George Gershwin are available?
Other accompaniments by George Gershwin: "But Not For Me", "Do It Again", "Embraceable You". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of Bb, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "Strike Up The Band" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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