the other day i got my first gig as an arranger!!! gotta thank your channel for kinda pushing and motivating me to write a bit more. also this video is gonna be really helpful! also gotta thank the fact that you talked about mutes since the other day i was discussing unisons with some fellow musicians and i said i loved muted trumpet+flute, so the trumpeter said "which mute, cup, straight...?" as a pianist i was really confused :) kinda silly but will help actually
Oh well done, congrats! You are welcome. You’ll find more real unison trumpet and flute examples on my trumpet and Flute video. I think you’ll like it. Then you’ll be an expert 😃
i love that this video NEVER judges the harmonic choices, but rather shows how you can orchestrate ANY idea. many orchestration tutorials will tell you to not use a certain type of harmony in certain situations, and this video is so refreshing!
Amazing video! I'd love to see another one on full symphony orchestra orchestration, especially since you present arrangements of various harmonic ideas.
Hey there. There are several orchestration videos on my channel where I use examples from classical music. However I don’t really go into full orchestral orchestration on my channel. There are lots of great orchestration RUclips channels already.
This was great. I was watching because I love to get arrangement ideas from different styles. I am arranging metal guitars, and the different timbres I have to use are from pickup selection, playing technique, and tone settings. I've had a great experience trying to adapt early modern classical music.
Love it man! I’ve been really studying theory since winter, and creators like you really help. Hopefully in high school I can arrange chart for jazz band! (and as a developing vibraphonist, could you maybe make a video on auxiliary percussion in big band?)
A useful book here is Henry Mancini's _Sounds and Scores: A Practical Guide to Professional Orchestration_. As to the topic of blend and balance, the definitive guide (for any style, not just big band) is Henry Brant's _Textures and Timbres: An Orchestrator's Handbook_.
Great overview, especially with the mutes. And that Curnow thing is incredibly beautiful. I like that you used a symphonic example to show how much you can depend on just the trumpets. There's another great John Williams example from Close Encounters. Orchestrator John Cacavas in his book talks about not over-doubling the 3rd of a chord in symphonic writing. He points out that in that famous massive C Major blast in Close Encounters ONLY the 3rd trumpet has the "E" out of the entire orchestra. Also with mutes, combining open and closed sounds in the same family, especially in French Horns, is a very go-to color in symphonic writing. Thanks Alex!
This was such an amazing video! First time on your channel and I'm already subscribed. I absolutely loved this video, how you presented the topic and what I learned, and let me tell you, I learned more than from any other traditional source on the topic in just 14 minutes. You are awesome and I thank you for your fine work.
Excellent presentation ! A "must-see" video by all arranging jazz music students. The audio examples are essential in this kind of presentations. Thx 🙂
@@gilevansinsideout I think there's something (obvious) to be said about mutes, and it is that mutes ain't cheap (most of 'em at least) so you should consider that if you're writing for a big band that's not professional or maybe a students one. I talk from experience, cause in my school, anyone has mutes, excepting maybe a harmon or a straight ones, cause some people use those for practice. Very cool video (like always)
Great vid Alex. Excellent info, presented clearly. The only thing I would add is that each player will bring something different to his/her part. I enjoy writing for specific people rather than generic trumpet, trombone, sax, etc. I'm looking to exploit everyone's strengths and personality and minimize their weaknesses.
Thanks David! It’s good to hear from you. Yes I agree, and thanks for pointing this out. I know that Gil Evans re-voiced some chords once as he found out he had Steve Lacy on the gig. And of course Duke was a master of this
This video is awesome! Keep making such well researched and informative videos. This really makes me want to learn more about arranging as a way to learn more about music.
Once more, a very nice presentation of how to approach Big Band arranging. Thank you, Alex. In terms of the blending, the combination that attracted me most (at least in a 2 voice setting) was the trumpet and the trombone a 10th below. Somehow reminds me of Thelonious Monk. Just adding a base and a rhythm group would be enough that I'd love such a song! Did you ever look into the music of Monk, Alex? In contrast, the trumpet & alto sax unisono is not that much to my taste. I'd prefer that they play different lines. Best regards. Peter
can you do some analyses and possibly copy the styles of big band arrangers such as Quincy Jones and Thad Jones? Some albums I like are Village Vanguard Live Sessions 3, and Central Park 3,
Nice video, I always wondered how the big bands got their sound. I've also wondered whether the Big Band "leaders" were also the arrangers? I mean, was Glen Miller a musical genius who arranged those great numbers, or was he just an Alpha Male and great musician who took on the responsibilities of leading the band, and letting others do the arrangements?
Thanks. Band leaders had lots of different styles and skills. Glen Miller did arrange tunes, but he also hired a lot of arrangers. Duke and Strayhorn wrote their music, and Count Basie hired a lot of arrangers as well. As usual in this world, there are lot of ways to lead and be creative! 😀
how would you implement this for secondary instruments like the vibrophone, marimba or clarinet who’s sounds dont really resemble the other instruments
Well luckily for you I have a trumpet, clarinet and flute orchestration video with real examples already on the channel. 😃. Otherwise the concepts of balance and blend stay the same. Vibraphone and the lower range of the marimba have a very blendable quality.
@@gilevansinsideout I think a good example of Marimba blending is some songs by Mango Groove, they sit just perfectly in the mix. Hometalk is a good example: ruclips.net/video/qlVAWn7NS8g/видео.html
Nice! I’ve got a question! If you’re writing for alto sax and trombone, who would be a more effective lead? Trombone has its volume and brightness but the alto has its pitch so it’s kind of a wide range to fit. In a similar vein What intervals/ voicing works best when arranging for bone/alto?
Either instrument would work well as a lead. It depends what’s happening around it. Any combination of thirds, sixths or tenths will sound awesome with 🎷 and trombone. Keep the alto above the trombone in general.
9:35 “these will all blend better than the guitar, piano and drums do” just curious how exactly would the drums play that melody? Also i think guitar blends very well with saxophone lines (see oliver nelson - Miss Fine)
the other day i got my first gig as an arranger!!! gotta thank your channel for kinda pushing and motivating me to write a bit more. also this video is gonna be really helpful! also gotta thank the fact that you talked about mutes since the other day i was discussing unisons with some fellow musicians and i said i loved muted trumpet+flute, so the trumpeter said "which mute, cup, straight...?" as a pianist i was really confused :) kinda silly but will help actually
Oh well done, congrats! You are welcome. You’ll find more real unison trumpet and flute examples on my trumpet and Flute video. I think you’ll like it. Then you’ll be an expert 😃
That's awesome mr. Legoman!! Congratulations
This is one of the best videos I've ever seen
Oh thanks 😊
i love that this video NEVER judges the harmonic choices, but rather shows how you can orchestrate ANY idea. many orchestration tutorials will tell you to not use a certain type of harmony in certain situations, and this video is so refreshing!
My pleasure. Yes I just wanted to talk about the concepts of orchestration
Thank you! I'm a pianist, but hearing about the different brass and sax arrangements were really interesting.
Glad it was helpful
Great presentation. Simple, clear and with musical extracts of just the right length to explain each point.
Glad you enjoyed it!
These are tips I wish I'd had when I was playing guitar in the university big band. Thank-you!
Amazing video! I'd love to see another one on full symphony orchestra orchestration, especially since you present arrangements of various harmonic ideas.
Hey there. There are several orchestration videos on my channel where I use examples from classical music. However I don’t really go into full orchestral orchestration on my channel. There are lots of great orchestration RUclips channels already.
This was great. I was watching because I love to get arrangement ideas from different styles. I am arranging metal guitars, and the different timbres I have to use are from pickup selection, playing technique, and tone settings. I've had a great experience trying to adapt early modern classical music.
Nice! That sounds awesome 😎
Love it man! I’ve been really studying theory since winter, and creators like you really help. Hopefully in high school I can arrange chart for jazz band! (and as a developing vibraphonist, could you maybe make a video on auxiliary percussion in big band?)
Sure thing!
A useful book here is Henry Mancini's _Sounds and Scores: A Practical Guide to Professional Orchestration_. As to the topic of blend and balance, the definitive guide (for any style, not just big band) is Henry Brant's _Textures and Timbres: An Orchestrator's Handbook_.
Thanks for sharing! 😃
Great overview, especially with the mutes. And that Curnow thing is incredibly beautiful. I like that you used a symphonic example to show how much you can depend on just the trumpets. There's another great John Williams example from Close Encounters. Orchestrator John Cacavas in his book talks about not over-doubling the 3rd of a chord in symphonic writing. He points out that in that famous massive C Major blast in Close Encounters ONLY the 3rd trumpet has the "E" out of the entire orchestra. Also with mutes, combining open and closed sounds in the same family, especially in French Horns, is a very go-to color in symphonic writing. Thanks Alex!
Thanks Tom. Yes I agree on the 3rds, trumpets can be very powerful when needed! Brass mutes are great, it’s like having more instruments. 😀
@@gilevansinsideout That’s a great way of putting that!
There's so much great info packed in this video! I'm a stranger to arranging for bigband but I feel inspired to try it after watching!
Great, yeah give it a go!
Perfect explanation
Thanks
This was such an amazing video! First time on your channel and I'm already subscribed. I absolutely loved this video, how you presented the topic and what I learned, and let me tell you, I learned more than from any other traditional source on the topic in just 14 minutes. You are awesome and I thank you for your fine work.
Thank you very much. I’m glad my conceptual way of looking at big band writing is helping. 😀
Excellent presentation ! A "must-see" video by all arranging jazz music students. The audio examples are essential in this kind of presentations. Thx 🙂
Many thanks!
Oh man the mixed mutes on trumpet is just 🤯🤯🤯
It’s great fun isn’t it? There are more mute and instrument combinations in some of my other orchestration vids
@@gilevansinsideout for some reason I just assumed that mixing those wouldn't work, and it's magical!
@@gilevansinsideout I think there's something (obvious) to be said about mutes, and it is that mutes ain't cheap (most of 'em at least) so you should consider that if you're writing for a big band that's not professional or maybe a students one. I talk from experience, cause in my school, anyone has mutes, excepting maybe a harmon or a straight ones, cause some people use those for practice. Very cool video (like always)
Yes good point
As always -great work!
Hi Fredrik. Thank you
Great vid Alex. Excellent info, presented clearly. The only thing I would add is that each player will bring something different to his/her part. I enjoy writing for specific people rather than generic trumpet, trombone, sax, etc. I'm looking to exploit everyone's strengths and personality and minimize their weaknesses.
Thanks David! It’s good to hear from you. Yes I agree, and thanks for pointing this out. I know that Gil Evans re-voiced some chords once as he found out he had Steve Lacy on the gig. And of course Duke was a master of this
This video is awesome! Keep making such well researched and informative videos. This really makes me want to learn more about arranging as a way to learn more about music.
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing these videos!
Glad you like them!
thanks for the useful tips 👍
You are welcome
Superb. Thanks!
Once more, a very nice presentation of how to approach Big Band arranging. Thank you, Alex. In terms of the blending, the combination that attracted me most (at least in a 2 voice setting) was the trumpet and the trombone a 10th below. Somehow reminds me of Thelonious Monk. Just adding a base and a rhythm group would be enough that I'd love such a song! Did you ever look into the music of Monk, Alex?
In contrast, the trumpet & alto sax unisono is not that much to my taste. I'd prefer that they play different lines. Best regards. Peter
Yes the interval of a 10th can be fun. Try harmonising a standard like that😀. I do enjoy monks music, but I haven’t really studied it. Thanks Peter
can you do some analyses and possibly copy the styles of big band arrangers such as Quincy Jones and Thad Jones? Some albums I like are Village Vanguard Live Sessions 3, and Central Park 3,
I also really really really love Joe Henderson's big band album, I'd love to see your thoughts on that one
Oh yep, I’ll add it to the list! I already have a video comparing Sammy Nestico and Gil Evans on the channel. You might find that interesting
@@gilevansinsideout I'm sure that I will. Thank you!
do bucket and cup mutes affect the playability of low bass trombone parts very much?
Yeah, when you have a mute in it usually affects the stability of the very low range
Nice video, I always wondered how the big bands got their sound. I've also wondered whether the Big Band "leaders" were also the arrangers? I mean, was Glen Miller a musical genius who arranged those great numbers, or was he just an Alpha Male and great musician who took on the responsibilities of leading the band, and letting others do the arrangements?
Thanks. Band leaders had lots of different styles and skills. Glen Miller did arrange tunes, but he also hired a lot of arrangers. Duke and Strayhorn wrote their music, and Count Basie hired a lot of arrangers as well. As usual in this world, there are lot of ways to lead and be creative! 😀
What about blending of Flugels? Woodwinds? Euphonium? Tuba?
You’ll enjoy my other orchestration videos. 😀
how would you implement this for secondary instruments like the vibrophone, marimba or clarinet who’s sounds dont really resemble the other instruments
Well luckily for you I have a trumpet, clarinet and flute orchestration video with real examples already on the channel. 😃. Otherwise the concepts of balance and blend stay the same. Vibraphone and the lower range of the marimba have a very blendable quality.
@@gilevansinsideout I think a good example of Marimba blending is some songs by Mango Groove, they sit just perfectly in the mix. Hometalk is a good example: ruclips.net/video/qlVAWn7NS8g/видео.html
@@gilevansinsideout kk thanks
Nice! I’ve got a question! If you’re writing for alto sax and trombone, who would be a more effective lead? Trombone has its volume and brightness but the alto has its pitch so it’s kind of a wide range to fit. In a similar vein What intervals/ voicing works best when arranging for bone/alto?
Either instrument would work well as a lead. It depends what’s happening around it. Any combination of thirds, sixths or tenths will sound awesome with 🎷 and trombone. Keep the alto above the trombone in general.
9:35 “these will all blend better than the guitar, piano and drums do” just curious how exactly would the drums play that melody?
Also i think guitar blends very well with saxophone lines (see oliver nelson - Miss Fine)
Yeah I agree, guitar can blend nicely with saxes and cup muted trumpet. I think you know the answer to the drums question 😉
...nice... BUT... you never use a D-Trumpet in a Big Band (in Jazz!!)😉 ....the picture is always a D-Trp maybe a Eb-Trp
Yes I need to change that graphic 😃
all those trumpets you show are c trumpets which triggers me
haha! Yeah it triggers a few people! :D I'll change my stock graphic eventually
you sound like ididathing if he was more tame
😂