Seven Nation Army by White Stripes

How to teach "Seven Nation Army" to your beginning band.

Step 1:  Transpose the bass line to concert D minor.  The baseline conveniently fits within the first 6 notes almost all band method books teach.

Step 2:  Teach the base line to the band with some simply thumping percussion.

Step 3:  Teach some countermelodies.  Focus on using the notes in the bass-line.  For example they can play off beats on concert F.

Step 4:  Have the students try to figure out a rhythmic ostinato that works over the baseline.

Step 5:  Go crazy have different students play the bass-line and then layering countermelodies and student composed ostinatos.

Good times.