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How to Write Big Band Music

Big band music was a sub-genre of jazz that got a lot of attention during the 1930s and '40s. Today, many university music programs, as well as individual composers, write music for Big Band ensembles. Writing Big Band music can be difficult, requiring a knowledge of music theory and familiarity with the range of pitch and volume of various instruments, depending on the size of the ensemble. Composing Big Band charts in front of a piano is the most efficient method, so you can compose and play the music at the same time.

Things You'll Need

  • Five-staff manuscript paper
  • Piano
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Instructions

  1. Composing Music for Big Band

    • 1

      Write out the rhythm section parts the bottom staff of your manuscript paper. The rhythm section is comprised of drums, piano and bass in this musical ensemble. Write out the rhythm or groove you'd like your drummer to play on the bottom staff of the manuscript paper. Write out the bass line for the bassist, as well as chord symbols for each chord, on the staff above the bottom staff. Do the same for the pianist, writing out a melody line and chords on the staff above the bassist's part.

    • 2

      Write out your lower horn parts -- baritone sax and third trumpets -- on the section above that, giving them a main melody line on top of the rhythm section parts you composed in the previous step.

    • 3

      Write out your alto and soprano saxophone and first and second trumpet parts on the two top staffs that are left on the manuscript paper. These melody lines should be the main melodic line that the listener will hear.

    • 4

      Write out any sections for solos on a second sheet of manuscript paper, dedicating each staff to a particular instrument. Write out the number of measures for the soloist to play.

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