My first composition for 2011 is done. Well, I still have to finish the copy work, but unless I make some minor changes the composing part of it is done. It’s another big band chart for the Asheville Jazz Orchestra and also the folks at White Horse Black Mountain, who have had the AJO play a monthly show there since October. It’s called Horsin’ Around.
I always caution my composition students to not overly rely on MIDI realizations like this one to give an accurate depiction of what the composition will sound like. For one thing, a computer can play back parts that are impossible for real musicians to play. On the other hand, real people perform with much more expression and some things that sound unsatisfying on a computer will be very effective with live musicians. In my MIDI example above I don’t have fall offs and other effects setup to play back. The rhythm section parts and improvised solos are computer generated, so you have to use your imagination. Still, you should be able to get an idea what the chart will hopefully sound like.
The “head” tune and form are pretty standard, as are the chord progressions. I went for a quirky feel by playing around with some rhythmic ideas and using some bitonal triad effects (for example, using a lot of C major triads in the melodies over the Bb7 chords).
If you’re near Black Mountain, NC this Friday you can hear the AJO premier this chart. Assuming I get the parts printed out in time.
By the way, I promise to get to all the emails and comments that some of you have sent in the past month this week too. Thanks for the topic suggestions, keep them coming. For those of you asking for embouchure advice, please remember that I need to be able to see how you play to really have any chance of making an accurate guess, but I’ll do my best if you can’t post videos or photos.
