Finding suitable arrangements for your beginning or young jazz ensemble can be tough, and many directors turn to writing their own arrangements. To help get you started, we’ve turned to Roy Phillippe, an expert arranger of jazz classics for young bands.
ROY’S PROCESS
If the music is new or unfamiliar to me, I study the melody and harmony until I’m comfortable with it. I consider style (swing, rock, latin, a ballad, etc.) and key. I’ve found that Bb, Eb and F are the most common keys at this level – it may need to be changed from the original.
When these basic considerations are set, I build a framework. For example: 8 bar rhythm section intro, sax melody with brass hits. On repeat trumpets join melody with trombone countermelody, followed by open solo section, and so on.
INSTRUMENTATION
I begin by sketching for an ensemble of 2 alto saxes, 1 tenor sax, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano/keyboard, bass, guitar and drums.
If desired for a particular arrangement, I then fill out chords with non-essential harmony notes on optional parts like 2nd tenor sax, baritone sax, 3rd trumpet and 2nd and 3rd trombone.
For young groups, I write a suggested solo with chord changes giving the player the option of ad-libbing his or her own solo.
WRITING FOR THE RHYTHM SECTION
Piano/keyboard parts should have chord changes and a written part which suggests voicings. This applies to bass parts as well.
Guitar parts are generally written with slash marks with the chord changes indicated above the staff, but
the guitar is a very versatile instrument. It can double the melody in the saxes, trumpets and trombone. In this case a melodic guitar part is written one octave higher than it sounds.
The drum part should not be too complex or overwritten. Start with indicating the style needed and indicate gaps where they can play a fill or solo.
WRAP-UP
When finished, proofread all parts for errors – this helps eliminate a lot of questions during valuable rehearsal time. A good arranger/composer has to be a first class editor!
Remember that a good arrangement is judged by how good it sounds, not how difficult it is to play!
ARRANGEMENTS FOR GRADE 1-1.5 JAZZ BAND
ARRANGEMENTS FOR GRADE 2-3 JAZZ BAND
Mr. Phillippe received his Bachelor of Music degree from Kent State University. He studied composition, arranging and orchestration privately with Phil Rizzo, author and director of theory for the Stan Kenton Jazz Orchestra in Residence program.
Mr. Phillippe is currently living in Los Angeles (CA), where he has been working as an arranger for film, television, concerts, recordings and publication. His many arrangements and compositions, which have been published for instrumental ensembles are performed regularly by student and professional groups throughout the world.
Mr. Phillippe is also the editor of the film scoring text “Case History Of A Film Score: The Thorn Birds” by Henry Mancini.
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