Closed Voicing, pt. 1 - Big Band Arranging SECRETS REVEALED

This is the first in a planned set of tutorials showing you how to arrange music for jazz ensemble. In this video I cover 'interchangeable chords' and the orchestration technique: closed voicing for 13 horns.

Credits:
Will Vargas - alto sax 1 & 2, tenor sax 1 & 2, bari sax
Michael Briones - trombones 1, 2, 3
Robert Todd Jr. - bass trombone
Elliot Deutsch - trumpets 1, 2, 3, 4
Musical example is a shout chorus for "Jazzytown Express" written by Elliot Deutsch
Audio mixed by Elliot Deutsch
Video edited by Elliot Deutsch
Thank you to Jason Lee for a ZOOM lesson on mixing a large jazz ensemble.
Thumbnail photo by Matt Akana

All of the background music was recorded by the Pandemonium Big Band.

#jazzensemble #composing #musictheory

[PandemoniumBigBand]

Thank you everyone for watching this video and for all of the kind comments and constructive advice. I just want to address one concern... the music in the background. As many people have suggested to me, this video would be better than it is if the music were either quieter, or gone entirely. I actually agree. This video would be a stronger production if the music were quieter (or completely gone) in several spots. This was a very early attempt of mine to create an arranging tutorial. I had just purchased my first "real" camera. All in all I think the video is a good effort... but my recent productions are WAY more polished. And the music is quieter in the intro and conclusion. AND the middle of the videos are usually music-free. Unfortunately, there is not good way for me to redo the audio for this video.

If you were about to leave a comment suggesting that I turn down that background music. I've heard it loud and clear.... almost as loud as that darn music in the background!

[docfuzzpersonalcollection]

After ALL these years, a "big band" horn section that made sense to me. I guess it was the way it was presented in a "school context" in MY mind 70 years later! 😎

[blendedplanet]

6:30 I busted out laughing at how simply you achieve such a rich full sound. Thx so much for such a clear, concise explanation.

[theboywhocriedwolf]

THIS IS EXACTLY THE VIDEO I'VE BEEN LOOKING IVE WANTED TO WRITE BIG BAND FOR YEARS, AND I'VE FINALLY FOUND WHAT IM LOOKING FOR!!! When I heard the trumpets play for the first time, I legitimately cheered in my seat and clapped out of joy.

[SaintDeus]

Great tutorial. As a classical music composer, I always have wanted to find tutorials like this! Really Thanks for precious tutorial!!

[dimasbagaskara]

I am a choir composer and I always like the sound of big band, film score-like sounds. I have been struggling how to write a good harmony and this video helps a lot. I never learned any music theory class formally, but your explanation is clear and understandable, especially when you include some examples. Thank you. Could've found you sooner

[gabrielkaspar]

Pretty much everywhere we can find people talking about voicings, drops, spreads, ranges.. But this is the first time I get to see somone talking about orchestration, how to distribute the notes within the horns, in a idiomatic manner. These are some real powerful tools. Tks very much!!!

[stephenhiss]

These mini tutorials are fantastic. They have helped me greatly. I like to write vocal arrangement with big band. Please consider doing a vocal arrangement because I have a feeling some of the rules may be different from writing a straight big band arrangement.

[MrJpbmusic]

As a user of “session Horns & “V Horns saxophone “ I found this tutorial really helpful for building up big band arrangements..thank you for posting

[gilevansinsideout]

That straight octave drops for trombones and saxes certainly makes for a solid sound! Not something I usually do, but hey it works! Thanks.

[jojopt]

Subscribed! Thanks for the clear and straightforward explanation. Much appreciated!

[BrunoBoselli]

this in loop for a few weeks. thx 4 sharing!

[richardwilliamsmusic]

This is FANTASTIC advice! Power tips in such a short time, thank you!

[JulietRobin]

Thank you thank you. I am new to your channel and appreciate this. You have no idea how much this helped me.

[michaelbruce]

Well, Well, Well!!! . . .I like the keep it simple approach. My pedigree is a whole lot academic and after 5 years of keyboards in a decent swing band, I'm ready to start some of my own arrangements. This really helped. I'm going to enjoy working through these and developing skills. Thanks!!!! Thank goodness for computer assisted notation . . .paper and pencil writing was soooo exhausting!!

[ShortFuseFighting]

jesus christ theres 30+ of these?
you are a saint!

[howardthegasman]

I've been producing music for 20 years. Lately wanting to get into big band arrangements of our songs. Your channel is brilliant. Subscribed and looking forward to learning from you.

[Manchegauche]

I'm barely an amateur musician - but this was really entertaining and 'demystified' how that fantastic sound from big bands is made that one hears in loads of period films etc. Subscribed to your channel - excellent!

[victorpetermusic]

Thank you! I was unsure about how to harmonize the second trumpet when the lead plays the root - thanks!

[Snavels]

6:05 I was always told by others I worked with that I was cheating or doing it improperly when I wrote like this, But I knew I was right all along