Combating Writer's Block & finding Inspiration - Big Band Arranging SECRETS REVEALED

[@radiokid2]

Another thing I do is to write the introduction last...by then there should be a lot of ideas that have come up that you can alter in some way to make a coherent intro...one that foreshadows everything that follows. And sometimes intro material makes for a kind of mini-coda at the end too...closure.

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Great idea. I often do that too!

[@FelixRigg]

Me too!

[@FelixRigg]

This is really helpful: thank you. One thing I do to get inspiration is to go for a walk and allow a standard to come into my head. Then, as I’m walking, I try to hear the melody in my head as I’d like to hear it played. Not the full ensemble: just the rhythm of it. That usually sends me walking home - in rhythm with what’s going on in my head - to get the ideas down on paper (well . . Sibelius 7, actually). I composed most of a string quartet just by walking to work. Movement - physical movement - seems to help. Trains are good too.

[@tooter1able]

What is your criteria for choosing between unison and harmony, whether in a melodic or harmonic context.?

[@gregoryharper886]

Elliot! Love the videos. Would love to see a video on how you’d write intros for arrangements of standards. ❤️

[@tommyron]

Tadd Dameron had some great advice - take the changes to a song that you like and write your own melody.

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

That is always a great approach.

[@markmetzler9108]

For me as a hobby, I have 20+ projects that I return to and touch a little here and there. If I get stuck, I just move to another piece. I find it difficult to spend a lot of time on one project due to my normal "Day Job". I always find some time during a week to dive into my happy place and mess with what I call my PlayDoh. My start is always with the rhythm. Knowing how I want the piece to "Feel" is my first goal. Everything else is to build upon that inspiration. Sammy Nestico was once asked how he became so proficient in composing/arranging. In his typical humble response, (I'm paraphrasing) he said that he had to write a lot of Crap to get where he is. Well, Sammy's crap will be light years beyond what I have written, but the statement holds true as does yours Elliot. Just write a lot!

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Tell me about it! I have a folder on my computer with dozens of barely-started charts…

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks, Elliot!

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Have subbed!

[@zackrickabaugh5456]

Elliot Deutsch 'Block-head'

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Self-declared block head

[@Davidsomuyiwa112]

Could u do another *blank* but its jazz arranging video i would love to see what you do with other songs that are obviously not jazz

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

That’s a good idea. And song suggestions?

[@Davidsomuyiwa112]

@@PandemoniumBigBand you know what i just actually got a good idea 12 days of Christmas that would be a really cool thing to jazz up

[@andrewgoodloe4655]

Your videos continue to be full of great, on-point advice!

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Thanks Andrew!

[@Davidsomuyiwa112]

YES YOU TOOK MY IDEA THANKYOU

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

I told you it was a good idea! Thank you for helping me get over my KZbin writer's block.

[@Davidsomuyiwa112]

@@PandemoniumBigBand 😂 no problem