Low Eh!

The next step after I write my lead sheet arrangement, is conceptualizing the big band arrangement. This step is where I write out the form of the arrangement in full. I think about each chorus, and put down a few notes about the key elements of section of the arrangement.

There is no composition done at this stage, but I do sing a lot of my ideas into the voice memo app on my phone.

It’s important to note that this outline can change (sometimes drastically) from the time I write out the form to the arranging or recomposition of the piece.

I’ve been listening, and performing some Rob McConnell charts lately, and I love the way he uses changes in time to create different moods in the music, so I want to use a rubato waltz in the intro statement of the melody. At the end of the intro, the band will head into the vamp which will swing hard, and take the band into the melody.

From there, the saxophones will take the melody, and trade some statements with the brass at the end of each section. I’ve sung these, and left directions for myself on my voice memo app.

After the melody, we’ll head into solos – to be determined. If I’m using this arrangement for the Prime Rib Big Band, I’ll put changes into everybody’s parts, because we like to have the option of solos for any player. If I’m writing this arrangement for another band, I might make the soloist(s) more specific.

When we get to the shout chorus, I’d like the drums to call and response with the band, with shots from the rhythm section, and on the second half of the shout chorus with get more dense. I’ve also left a note for myself to think about a modulation at that point.

The last full chorus of the melody will bring back some of the ideas from the first, but developed further, and the second half will bring back the waltz from the beginning. After a fermata, the vamp will return, and the arrangement will end with a drum solo.

Once again, this outline may change as the arrangement develops when I get to the piano and putting the notes down on paper, but this outline gives me a direction for the arrangement.