Jazz Composition and Arranging

JAZZ COMPOSITION AND ARRANGING is a comprehensive introduction to the skills and techniques necessary for producing a successful composition and arranging project. Drawing on Boras' background as a professional composer and musician, his text focuses on the concepts underlying instrumental writing, rather than on stylistic concerns -- approaching the subject by integrating both narrative and music examples. These examples illustrate the harmonic and melodic practices that are prevalent in today's contemporary jazz music scene. In particular, the text focuses on presenting voice-leading tendencies in a number of different contexts: line writing, bass line construction, voicing procedures, and scoring textures. Equally appropriate for upper-level music majors and professional musicians, JAZZ COMPOSITION AND ARRANGING combines the basic elements of jazz so that both arrangers and composers gain a full understanding of the subject.

Table of Contents:
1. Definitions - Generic Form of Jazz Arrangements - Layouts - Notation Conventions. 2. Line Concepts - Melodic Writing. 3. Three Definitions of Reharmonization. 4. Bass Motion and Bass Lines. 5. Writing for the Rhythm Section and for Saxophones, Trumpet and Trombone. 6. Basics of Voicings. 7. Melodic Analysis for Soli Textures and Reharmonization of Secondary Tones. 8. Music Textures: Melodic Foreground and Middleground. 9. Music Textures: Contrapuntal or Polyphonic and Homophonic Textures. 10. Scoring Backgrounds or Accompaniment for Solos. Appendix A: Modal and Tonal Concepts. Appendix B: The Blues. Appendix C: Ranges for Common Woodwind Doubles and Other Brass Instruments. Appendix D: Two Full Scores.

About the Author :
Tom Boras received a Bachelor of Music in composition from the University of North Texas and a Masters of Music in composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a doctorate degree from Columbia University. Tom has taught at Berklee College of Music, Columbia University, and since 1985, at New York University, where he held the position of Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies.

Review :
1. Definitions - Generic Form of Jazz Arrangements - Layouts - Notation Conventions. 2. Line Concepts - Melodic Writing. 3. Three Definitions of Reharmonization. 4. Bass Motion and Bass Lines. 5. Writing for the Rhythm Section and for Saxophones, Trumpet and Trombone. 6. Basics of Voicings. 7. Melodic Analysis for Soli Textures and Reharmonization of Secondary Tones. 8. Music Textures: Melodic Foreground and Middleground. 9. Music Textures: Contrapuntal or Polyphonic and Homophonic Textures. 10. Scoring Backgrounds or Accompaniment for Solos. Appendix A: Modal and Tonal Concepts. Appendix B: The Blues. Appendix C: Ranges for Common Woodwind Doubles and Other Brass Instruments. Appendix D: Two Full Scores.