[Fmpro] Big Band arranging & mixing?

[Jim Chase]

Todd,

    On the Internet, try "trombone voicing", and "big band" to begin  
your search.  "Third horn", "Primer" and what the hell is a "mock- 
up"?  Yeah, try that one, too.  Combinations of search words will  
eventually net what you are looking for.  With all the info out  
there, it might take a bit of searching.  What, are you paying for this?

     If all that fails, go back to pencil and staves.  What is the  
rhythm and tempo?  What parts do you hear?  I usually start with the  
bass line, contra or cello, tuba or trombone a stave or two above the  
bottom of the page.  Now, what is that melody line stuck in your  
head?  If it's fresh and original -- I'd like to hear it -- write  
that a few staves  above the bass (you will use the staves in  
between, later.)  Go quirky when your ear tells you the melody line  
is becoming slightly tedious, or predictable.  There!  you have a  
good start.

     Add another sixteen bars, add another instrument, a third, a  
fifth.  A flat nine, lose the fifth.  After a fifth, the rhythm track  
practically writes itself.  Don't forget to eat and sleep.  and let  
not the sands of time get in your lunch.

scoobity scat doo-wah.  Who needs a primer?  Go ahead, Todd, trust  
your own  judgment.  We do.

No Charge After Midnight,
Jim Chase