The Black Bear
Pipe Major John Macdonald Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Piccolo; Flute; Clarinet 1 +11 parts · Arr. Cadet Flight Sergeant Wu, Steven · 1 min 3 sec
Open scoreThe Black Bear sheet music
The Black Bear sheet music appears in several contrasting listings, so the title alone does not identify one key, metre or instrumentation. One score credits Pipe Major John Macdonald, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and presents a 16-part band arrangement; two other listings carry no composer credit and show different keys and time signatures. Compare the score details before choosing a version.
Scores 1–20 of 24
Sheet music
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
33 sec · Score #101544
Open score
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
3 min 15 sec · Score #159364
Open score
The Black Bear Hornpipe as a March
Misc tunes
42 sec · Score #203384
Open score
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
3 min 15 sec · Score #198090
Open score
Traditional music - THE BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE
Traditional
3 min 17 sec · Score #207857
Open score
the Black Bear
Misc tunes
1 min 5 sec
Open score
Traditional music - THE BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE
Traditional
3 min 17 sec · Score #85480
Open score
the Black Bear
Misc tunes
2 min 44 sec · Score #23836
Open score
The Black Bear
R-127
2 min 8 sec · Score #37162
Open score
Traditional music - THE BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE
Traditional
3 min 1 sec · Score #143659
Open score
The Black Bear Hornpipe as a March
Misc tunes
42 sec · Score #179703
Open score
The Black Bear
R-127
2 min 8 sec · Score #183491
Open score
the Black Bear
Misc tunes
2 min 44 sec · Score #123491
Open score
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
48 sec
Open score
Traditional music - THE BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE
Traditional
3 min 1 sec · Score #49383
Open score
the Black Bear
Misc tunes
1 min 4 sec
Open score
Traditional music - THE BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE
Traditional
3 min 17 sec · Score #77972
Open score
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
3 min 15 sec · Score #123958
Open score
The Black Bear
Misc tunes
33 sec · Score #187250
Open scorePage 1 of 2
Comparing the Black Bear versions
The available Black Bear listings are not uniform. Their opening details differ: one is listed in D major with two sharps and 4/4, another has no sharps or flats and 2/2, and the 16-part arrangement lists changing key signatures with a 4/4 opening. These differences affect how a score fits a known version, an ensemble or a particular performance.
Key, metre and instrumentation
The 16-part Black Bear arrangement is scored for piccolo, flute, clarinet 1, clarinet 2, B-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet 1, trumpet 2, trombone, baritone, bass drum and snare drum. The other two listings are single-track scores, so their exact scoring should be checked on the score itself rather than assumed from the title.
Attribution and identity
One listing credits Pipe Major John Macdonald, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, while two others give no composer name. Treat the attribution as a listing credit, not proof of the tune’s authorship.
Choosing a score to play
Choose a Black Bear score by matching its instrumentation, opening key and time signature to the performance you have in mind. The 16-part arrangement points to a mixed wind and percussion ensemble, while a one-track listing may suit study of the tune, but its exact scoring and difficulty should be checked before use.
Scores to open first
- The Black Bear
Score parts: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, B♭ Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, …. Catalogue duration 1 min 3 sec. Opening key signature: 3 flats; 1 flat; No sharps or flats. Opening time signature: 4/4. Opening tempo: 240 BPM. Arranger: Cadet Flight Sergeant Wu, Steven.
- The Black Bear
Catalogue duration 33 sec. Opening key signature: 2 sharps (D major). Opening time signature: 4/4.
- The Black Bear
Catalogue duration 3 min 15 sec. Opening key signature: No sharps or flats. Opening time signature: 2/2. Opening tempo: 40 BPM.
Related collections
Common questions
What is The Black Bear?
The Black Bear is a tune title used for several scores in the available listings, but the evidence supplied does not establish a single composer, origin or original instrumentation. One arrangement is credited to Pipe Major John Macdonald, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, while two other listings give no composer name.
What keys and time signatures do Black Bear scores use?
Available Black Bear scores open in different keys and metres: one in D major with two sharps and 4/4, another with no sharps or flats and 2/2, and a band arrangement whose listed opening key signatures include three flats, one flat and no sharps or flats in 4/4. These differences matter when matching a score to an ensemble or a known version.
Which instruments are in the largest Black Bear arrangement?
A 16-part Black Bear arrangement is scored for piccolo, flute, clarinet 1, clarinet 2, B-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet 1, trumpet 2, trombone, baritone, bass drum and snare drum. That instrumentation indicates a mixed wind and percussion ensemble setting.
Are the Black Bear scores the same version?
The Black Bear scores are not presented as one uniform version. Their listed openings differ in key and metre, and one is a 16-part ensemble arrangement while the others are single-track listings. Check those details rather than relying on the shared title.
How do I choose a Black Bear score?
Choose a Black Bear score by matching its instrumentation, opening key and time signature to the performance you have in mind. A 16-part wind and percussion arrangement suits an ensemble, while a one-track listing may suit study of the tune, but its exact scoring should be checked.
Who composed The Black Bear?
Composer credit for The Black Bear is not consistent across the available scores. One listing names Pipe Major John Macdonald, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders; two others have no composer listed. That is not enough to confirm authorship of the tune itself.