Your questions answered! - Big Band Arranging SECRETS REVEALED

FIRST!

I have a question about the difference between arranging and transcribing,
If I do an arrangement of a tune that is already arranged for big band, but it sounds almost exactly the same as the previous one except for just a few additions, could that even be considered an arrangement, or is it just a transcription? I feel like if I called it an arrangement, its almost false advertising.

Hey! What’s wrong with wanting to sound like the Swing Era???

Loved your near closing comment on counterpoint. "Video Over". Regarding critical comments from the "Classroom", don't take them too seriously. This is your channel. Do what you feel is right. It is obviously working otherwise you wouldn't have any followers. I love the background music. Just as you won't recommend what not to do, so should the recommendations be from the gallery. You do You.

Great vid! Lotta good info. Thank you.

I've found NotePerformer to be pretty good for jazz band writing, but it does need a lot of tweaking before sounding good. You need to add the "Tenuto always on" plugin on every part, otherwise swing rhythms come out all staccato. And the default reverb is awful, but fiddling with it can produce a decent sound. When tweaked well, I find it much better than GM or the SIbelius 7 sound library.

Maybe a bit off-topic, but speaking of closed voicings... When I was a kid, idolizing Buddy Rich and his band, I thought the closing choruses of "Sassy Strut" were tremendously exciting and interesting. (by John LaBarbara, who published parts of the arrangement in Downbeat magazine at the time) Of course, Lin Biviano screaming through the end was a cool trademark of the band at that time, too. Thanks for all the information you share, Elliot! :)

Amazing questions!

Hey, a video response for one of my questions! :D Thanks for these, Elliott, great as always! :-)

Thank you!

Yes, Elliot! Copy and pasting on PC is Alt+left click. It works in Dorico too.

Fantastic video and video(s)! I don't know if you've answered this one before, but my question is how do you write the with 5 trombones instead of 4

Would love to see a video on Thad Jones’ arranging and voicing style, keep up the good work!

Hey Elliot! Your vids have been helping me lots with a BB arrangement i'm working on. Would love to see one on cluster chords! 🐱

I have been following your videos regularly and it has greatly greatly helped me. Thank you!!

Would love a video on writing for woodwind doubles and voicings that work for flutes/clarinets

I thought I was the only one who used a computer keyboard for note input and not a MIDI keyboard. Good to know!

Closed voicing part 1 is my favorite

Hello Elliott, Your background music is great but I love listening to you so it is not needed, you are very engaging without it. I really feel that you are talking directly to me. Using music for intros and endings and more importantly examples is all that is needed. I am learning a ton from you, keep up the great work! Alan

This is just awesome! I wish I could hit thumbs up multiple times. Big YES to every word of this video!

Your arrangements are exciting and your videos are instructive.; and of course, the band is hot. Thank you. I've enjoyed them.

A chart should not be longer than 5 minutes??!

I AM TRIGGERED

Thank you for all the help you have given me. Thanks also for the clear answers to my several questions. may i say lastly that you videos always cheer me up!

I love the background music in your videos, but I don't love that it's in the background. When you're talking about a musical technique, I like to be able to hear it in my head as you talk about it, and hearing music that isn't specifically about what you're talking about makes it difficult for me to concentrate. And as you say, your music is intrusive! And I want to focus on the music itself.

You're doing an amazing job 👍🏻 yes there will always be trolls. Close / Closed WHO CARES??? 😁

!! I wanted to ask you, when you finish your project when it comes to assigning the parts to each musician, in the case of transposers like the alto, the tenor and trumpet, how do you transpose them to the tonality of each one? Thank you!! I hope you understand the question and congratulations for your contributions!

Yeeeeeeaaah Sibelius general MIDI represent!

FYI: I've found Note Performer to be awesome as well.

You can get away without the 5th of the chord if you don't have enough instruments to cover the chord.

Have subbed!

I'm an arranger and sometime member of ASMAC. I'm greedy, selfish and elitist. How can you guys
be so generous in sharing your expert talents?