The Unique Jazz Ensemble Tailoring)the)arrangement)to)fit) · 2019. 11. 5. · The Unique Jazz...
Transcript of The Unique Jazz Ensemble Tailoring)the)arrangement)to)fit) · 2019. 11. 5. · The Unique Jazz...
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The Unique Jazz Ensemble Tailoring the arrangement to fit
Michael Kearns www.drkmusic.com
Why not just buy arrangements that fit your ensemble, whether that be range or orchestration?
• You want to expose your ensemble to authentic material • You want to make your arrangement authentic • You have a fixed repertoire and not enough money for new arrangements • Cannot find suitable music, which matches the instrumentation and skill of the ensemble • You want to perform a song but are limited to the available arrangement
Seven arrangements
• Big Mama Cass – Don Sebesky • Soul Vaccination – arranged by Paul Murtha • Minnie the Moocher – arranged by Ralph Ford
o https://youtu.be/no1najh5UKk • Uptown Funk – arranged by Victor López • Deed I Do – arranged by Bill Holman • Long in the Tooth – Frank Mantooth • This Bass Was Made For Walkin’ – Thad Jones
Simple steps to alter arrangement
• Easiest: write directly on the part • Scan the document and edit the part
o E.g., Photoscore Lite and Sibelius Any instrumental arrangement can be turned into a vocal number, if it is the correct range
• Identify and tacet the melody • Change form to match a recording • Singer learns the song from the recording • Investing a little time can really expand your repertoire
Reducing a big band arrangement to fit your unique ensemble
• First: can the arrangement be altered to match the original recording? • Cover all essential voices/lines • Use the trombones as base of any voicing • Fill other voices with select trumpet notes • Scan parts and alter in computer notation program
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Ideas for tailoring an arrangement for your ensemble • Revoice a section for a more reasonable range
o May be as simple as playing the voicing down the octave o Try inverting the voicing o 1st voice plays the 2nd highest note, 2nd voice plays the 3rd highest note, 3rd voice plays
the 4th highest note and the 4th voice plays another chord tone • Skip technically difficult sections altogether
o Ensure it is a logical chord progression with the new cut or just listen and see if it works • Play passages 8vb • Play every other note in a 16th note passage, i.e., turn it into an 8th note line • Ghost upper or lower notes, especially if the line is covered in another part
Basics of orchestrating other instruments in jazz
Flute plays trumpet line 8va.
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Clarinets doubles trumpet, alto and tenor saxophone, or even trombone line.
French horn plays trumpet line 8vb.
Tuba plays bass trombone or bass line.
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Example of Soul Vaccination – arranged by Paul Murtha, orchestrated for 2 trumpets, alto saxophone, French horn, euphonium, bass/vocals, and drums
• 1st to 3rd trombone is the basis for any voicing o 4th trombone often doubled by the bass
• Fill out the rest of the chord with notes from the trumpets o Instead of a brass focus, may also choose to double saxophone line
• In this example, alto saxophone 1 is playing melody and this notation will be used by the voice • Piano lick can be voiced for various instruments, if there is no chordal instrument in your
ensemble
Trumpet (key of Bb) Trumpet Alto (key of F) French Horn (key of Eb) Euphonium (concert key of Ab)