7 Big Band Techniques I Have Stolen | With Musical Examples

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As you listen to any big band chart, make mental notes about the techniques you hear the arranger employ at various points throughout the chart. These are 7 techniques that I have learned (and used) by listening to some of the best big band jazz arrangers and composers.

[@emilyrln]

"Originality is nothing but judicious imitation." 1000%! This is a great roundup of jazz orchestration techniques. Funny note: during "Laura," as soon as the guitar entered, my brain jumped to counting in 3/4 or 6/8 instead of 4/4 😂 I was no match for that repetitive 3-note pattern!

[@jicetp]

Thad Jones trombone giving Rhythm and Harmony : Ah that's Freedom ?

[@akliluzewdie8658]

This is very educational and organized tip. Many thanks Sir.

[@michaelstevens8]

Hello from Kansas City, Missouri. Great video as always. Could you do a video of the techniques/style of Claus Ogerman and Don Sebesky. Two of my absolute favorite Composer/Arrangers. Thanks.

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

Yes, I'll put them on the list. Alot of arrangers and charts to get to. It takes alot of time looking them over and finding just the right things to make a video on.

[@johnmac8084]

Very helpful, thanks

[@oscarpalaciosruiz]

Very well done. I'm an entirely self-taught musician. I have a song which lends itself to some "jazzy" arrangements, and I'm figuring out how these are done. I wrote that song inspired by Amparo Montes' "Casualidad" and by Tommy Dorsey's "On the Sunny Side of the Street". Great video!

[@sheddyguitar]

Great tutorial 🎶🎶🙏🙏

[@pedrod.7576]

This was fun to watch, thanks for sharing!

[@BrendaBoykin-qz5dj]

Thank you, Maestro. Brilliant and inspiring.⭐😎⭐

[@johnantonoglou9817]

Holy shit that intro to "Laura"... amazing!

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

Thanks! Completely twisted I know, but that chart was a crowd pleaser every Wed night at the Moosehead Bar and Grill downtown Chicago back in the early 90s.

[@andreemond2529]

Really, I really brilliant thanks for some great advice

[@yogi_kecks5223]

So basically your name should be BOB or ROB...

[@karlrovey]

Or Sammy.

[@yoskid3646]

So greateful to know this, thank you very much!

[@woodlockacademia2086]

amazing vid, thanks!

[@monsterjazzlicks]

BB is definitely the man! 😎

[@finngenockey]

"Ah, That's Freedom" is the Thad Jones chart you're thinking of I believe!

[@gilevansinsideout]

Great video thanks!

[@jackwilloughby239]

In Tony Bennet's Autobiography there is an interesting story about his conductor. They were playing a gig with Duke Ellington in the same hotel and this guy wanted to see some of Duke's Charts, so he gets up early and goes down to the lounge where they were set up but there's no charts. A few moments later Duke's bass player comes in and gives him the look? "I wanted to see some of Duke's Charts" says Tony's guy. "We don't use charts. We all know what were supposed to do, so Duke sets at the piano and plays out the tune for us and we work it up all together". I've read the same about Count Basie, so when did people start writing charts? I know the great arrangers wrote charts like Billy May and Nelson, but Some of the ones I've seen were Transcriptions, like "Nutville". Where does Wynton get all those "Essentially Ellington" charts?

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

That type of thing was done for sure, but Duke did put alot of music on paper. In the early days, players would come up with "riffs" between sections and a chart would come out of it based on those riffs. Many of Duke's band members were on the band for decades so at some point they probably didn't need the music anyway, it was just played from memory. From what I've read, after the nightly gig, Duke would order a steak dinner and write all night. And keep in mind, he didn't just write for big band. It is estimated he wrote over 1,000 compositions, including songs, suites, and orchestral pieces. His music spanned a wide range of genres, including jazz, blues, gospel, and popular music. He was also a master of orchestration, and his arrangements for his orchestra were often highly complex and innovative.

[@giordanopagotto7940]

there are some head arrangements in early and even new big bands, One Oçlock Jump being a great example. But since the creation of big bands in the 20's there have been written arrangements. Band like Big Beiderbecke's Wolverines had written arrangements, and arrangers like Fletcher Henderson and Don Redman wrote charts for many of the greats from the beginning.

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

Yep, and even Jelly Roll Morton had written charts I believe. @@giordanopagotto7940

[@fzk2amzj]

great vid!!!!!

[@liriosanz]

Hola, los vídeos con las diferentes lecciones , están solo en inglés ? No encuentro en ellos subtítulos en español.

[@moedemama]

Cool video, thanks

[@pbenson56fran]

Thank you very much

[@jicetp]

Unisson lines : how about Bill Holman Just Friends ?

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

I forgot about Bill Holman! Will definitely delve into his stuff in the future.

[@jerrodshackelford6773]

Rob McConnell is the king the horns minus rhythm section writing. I swear half or more of his charts have a chorus of just horns.

[@karlrovey]

Multiple simulataneous solos, sounds like the end of the Trumpet solos in "Backrow Politics."

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Does anyone here have a full score in concert pitch of the Brookmeyer chart, please? Thanks.

[@GreenBoy9000]

14:57 wait.... So this wasn't a harmon mute?

[@jazzarrangingclass8974]

The score says "str mute"

[@itsdaeyonglim]

I like

[@RogerBaker-i1h]

This is great in that it shows one how to be original: First step, just avoid these cliches...

[@selenersavage]

ROB MCCONNELLLLLLL

[@ShortFuseFighting]

sir, stealing is against the law!