How to Write for Big Band: Orchestration

This video is about big band writing and concepts on how to orchestrate for a big band. It contains examples from Glen Miller, Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington, John Williams, Billy Strayhorn, Bob Curnow and Gil Evans

0:00 Intro
0:34 Instrument characteristics
0:57 Saxophones
1:18 Brass
1:25 Star Wars trumpets
1:42 Trumpets
1:56 Trombones
2:34 Rhythm section
3:46 Balance
6:08 Blend
11:30 Trumpet & trombone mutes

Closed voicing, open voicing, jazz harmony, music theory, Miles Davis, big band, soli, jazz chords, orchestration, miles ahead

[francoomarlopezlopez]

i love that this video NEVER judges the harmonic choices, but rather shows how you can orchestrate ANY idea. many orchestration tutorials will tell you to not use a certain type of harmony in certain situations, and this video is so refreshing!

[legoman]

the other day i got my first gig as an arranger!!! gotta thank your channel for kinda pushing and motivating me to write a bit more. also this video is gonna be really helpful! also gotta thank the fact that you talked about mutes since the other day i was discussing unisons with some fellow musicians and i said i loved muted trumpet+flute, so the trumpeter said "which mute, cup, straight...?" as a pianist i was really confused :) kinda silly but will help actually

[ericwarncke]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen

[tommyron]

Great overview, especially with the mutes. And that Curnow thing is incredibly beautiful. I like that you used a symphonic example to show how much you can depend on just the trumpets. There's another great John Williams example from Close Encounters. Orchestrator John Cacavas in his book talks about not over-doubling the 3rd of a chord in symphonic writing. He points out that in that famous massive C Major blast in Close Encounters ONLY the 3rd trumpet has the "E" out of the entire orchestra. Also with mutes, combining open and closed sounds in the same family, especially in French Horns, is a very go-to color in symphonic writing. Thanks Alex!

[paulwl]

Great presentation. Simple, clear and with musical extracts of just the right length to explain each point.

[-tone-equal-temperament]

Love it man! I’ve been really studying theory since winter, and creators like you really help. Hopefully in high school I can arrange chart for jazz band! (and as a developing vibraphonist, could you maybe make a video on auxiliary percussion in big band?)

[DarthCalculus]

This was great. I was watching because I love to get arrangement ideas from different styles. I am arranging metal guitars, and the different timbres I have to use are from pickup selection, playing technique, and tone settings. I've had a great experience trying to adapt early modern classical music.

[antoniotabacu]

Amazing video! I'd love to see another one on full symphony orchestra orchestration, especially since you present arrangements of various harmonic ideas.

[KrystofDreamJourney]

Excellent presentation ! A "must-see" video by all arranging jazz music students. The audio examples are essential in this kind of presentations. Thx 🙂

[therealalexpoole]

There's so much great info packed in this video! I'm a stranger to arranging for bigband but I feel inspired to try it after watching!

[StanleyV]

Thank you! I'm a pianist, but hearing about the different brass and sax arrangements were really interesting.

[rossbob]

This was such an amazing video! First time on your channel and I'm already subscribed. I absolutely loved this video, how you presented the topic and what I learned, and let me tell you, I learned more than from any other traditional source on the topic in just 14 minutes. You are awesome and I thank you for your fine work.

[tonimena]

Oh man the mixed mutes on trumpet is just 🤯🤯🤯

[carlosvences]

This video is awesome! Keep making such well researched and informative videos. This really makes me want to learn more about arranging as a way to learn more about music.

[timothytikker]

A useful book here is Henry Mancini's _Sounds and Scores: A Practical Guide to Professional Orchestration_. As to the topic of blend and balance, the definitive guide (for any style, not just big band) is Henry Brant's _Textures and Timbres: An Orchestrator's Handbook_.

[DavidBergerJazz]

Great vid Alex. Excellent info, presented clearly. The only thing I would add is that each player will bring something different to his/her part. I enjoy writing for specific people rather than generic trumpet, trombone, sax, etc. I'm looking to exploit everyone's strengths and personality and minimize their weaknesses.

[Jordu]

Once more, a very nice presentation of how to approach Big Band arranging. Thank you, Alex. In terms of the blending, the combination that attracted me most (at least in a 2 voice setting) was the trumpet and the trombone a 10th below. Somehow reminds me of Thelonious Monk. Just adding a base and a rhythm group would be enough that I'd love such a song! Did you ever look into the music of Monk, Alex?
In contrast, the trumpet & alto sax unisono is not that much to my taste. I'd prefer that they play different lines. Best regards. Peter

[dontrapani]

Nice video, I always wondered how the big bands got their sound. I've also wondered whether the Big Band "leaders" were also the arrangers? I mean, was Glen Miller a musical genius who arranged those great numbers, or was he just an Alpha Male and great musician who took on the responsibilities of leading the band, and letting others do the arrangements?

[kaidoitel]

can you do some analyses and possibly copy the styles of big band arrangers such as Quincy Jones and Thad Jones? Some albums I like are Village Vanguard Live Sessions 3, and Central Park 3,

[leaf]

do bucket and cup mutes affect the playability of low bass trombone parts very much?