Big Bands
Big Bands |
Previous |
Next |
|
Big bands offer great potential for textural variety. In order to take advantage of these possibilities, written arrangements are almost invariably used to keep things organized. Big bands are typically divided into sections of related instruments. The specific instrumentation varies between bands, but some standards have emerged.
|
A Jazz Improvisation Almanac Unit: Elements Of Jazz Chapter: Ensembles |
|
This is a preview of the educational program A Jazz Improvisation Almanac which is under development for the Outside Shore Music Online School. Feel free to browse this preview and learn what you can from it. For a more completed product, though, check out the original freely browsable jazz textbook, A Jazz Improvisation Primer. TexturesWhile combos offer the players great flexibility in performance, larger ensembles can present greater opportunity for composers and arrangers. When a band contains more than ten or so players, it is usually referred to as a big band or orchestra. A large variety of sounds can be created by using the instruments in different combinations: 
Dense chords and complex counterpoint can be created as well:
Also, the larger the ensemble, the greater its dynamic range - soft volumes can be achieved by having only some of the members play a given passage, while loud volumes can be achieved by having everyone play:
SectionsThe larger the ensemble, the more important it generally is to plan an arrangement in advance in order to give each player a well-defined role, and indeed most larger ensembles use written arrangements. Most commonly, large ensembles organize their groups into sections. Each section contains several players of the same or similar instruments. The parts for the players within a section are usually similar rhythmically, so the section is heard to be playing as one, although they may actually be playing in harmony rather than in unison:
The various sections can then be used independently in a call-and-response fashion, or to create counterpoint:
The different sections can also be used in an alternating fashion for timbral variety. One section might be featured for one part of an arrangement, and then a different section featured for the next part:
The role of the rhythm section does not differ substantially from when they are playing in a combo. However, since the other sections are handling much of the chordal accompaniment, pianists tend to play more sparsely than in other situations:
Often, arrangers will give the rhythm section specific parts to play in order to fit in with the rest of the accompaniment. These are sometimes called "kicks". Here is an example:
InstrumentationSome leaders tailor the instrumentation of their band to achieve a particular sound. This was especially common in the early days of big bands, before a standard instrumentation became established. Arrangements would have to be written especially for the band; leaders would not generally be able to borrow arrangements written for other bands. The uniqueness of the instrumentation as well as the uniqueness of the arrangements can enable such a band to achieve a distinctive sound that is not mistaken for any other band, as in the following excerpt from the Gil Evans Orchestra:
On the other hand, often a leader will wish to be able to take advantage of stock published arrangements written either for another band or with no particular band in mind. In this case, it is most advantageous to use the standard instrumentation that includes sections of five saxophones (two alto, two tenor, one baritone), four or five trumpets, four or five trombones (possibly including a bass trombone), and a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, optional guitar):
Even within this standard instrumentation, it is common for some players - particularly the saxophonists - to double on other instruments from time to time. For instance, a particular arrangement may call for a flute instead of one of the tenors, either for the entire composition, or just one part of it. This allows a band to achieve more timbral variety than would be possible if it always used the same instrumentation, but does not require changing the actual personnel of the band:
Famous Big BandsWhile big bands are most associated with the swing era of jazz during the 1930's and 1940's, they have been used throughout the history of jazz to play many different styles of jazz. Some influential big bands include:
Copyright 2000 Outside Shore Music |
Big Bands |
Previous |
Next |
