Full Description
Jazz Theory for Arrangers integrates jazz improvisation theory, chord voicings, and arranging techniques to provide foundational knowledge for beginning arrangers and composers working with small jazz ensembles.
The book opens with essential jazz theory concepts including common chord progressions, scales, formal structures, and melodic characteristics. Concepts important to jazz harmony are applied through an introduction to jazz piano voicings, followed by discussion of the rhythmic characteristics of jazz (swing) melody, guiding the reader through the types of syncopations common to jazz, as well as other features of successful melody. Supported by original musical examples throughout, the book concludes with a series of arrangement exercises, from solo piano and exercises in writing for the jazz rhythm section, to full-blown arrangements for the jazz quintet through octet. Support material provides audio recordings of five complete arrangements included with the book, as well as numerous PDF workbook assignments.
Jazz Theory for Arrangers will be an invaluable resource to undergraduate music students wishing to apply jazz theoretical knowledge to arranging for small jazz groups.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Elements of a Jazz Arrangement
1.1 Song Forms in Jazz
1.2 Contrafacts
1.3 Structural Elements of an Arrangement
1.4 Performance Practices
1.5 Putting It All Together
Chapter 2: Jazz Harmony
2.1 Tertian-Based Harmonies
2.2 Chord Labeling and Alterations
2.3 Altered Chords
2.4 Jazz Piano Voicings I: Shell Voicings
2.5 Jazz Piano Voicings II: Chord Spacing Guidelines
Chapter 3: Building Blocks of Jazz Harmonic Progressions
3.1 Building Blocks I: The II-V-I Progression
3.2 Jazz Piano Voicings III: Voice Leading and Connection
3.3 Building Blocks II: The Turnaround
3.4 Building Blocks III: The Backdoor II-V
3.5 Building Blocks IV: Other Common Harmonic Progressions
Chapter 4: Chords and Scales
4.1 Introduction to Chord-Scale Theory
4.2 Major Chord-Scale Relationships
4.3 Ascending Melodic Minor Chord-Scale Relationships
4.4 Diminished (Octatonic) Chord-Scale Relationships
4.5 Whole Tone Chord-Scale Relationship
4.6 Putting Chord-Scales to Work
4.7 Arrangement Project Idea #1: Arrangement for Jazz Piano
Chapter 5: More Advanced Jazz Harmonic Concepts: An Introduction to Quartal Harmony and Reharmonization
5.1 Quartal Harmony
5.2 Introduction to Reharmonization
Chapter 6: Melodic Considerations
6.1 Other Commonly Used Scales in Jazz
6.2 Writing Jazz Melody
6.3 Practical Application
Chapter 7: Instrumentation
7.1 The Front Line
7.2 The Rhythm Section
Chapter 8: Writing for the Two-Part Front Line
8.1 Soli Writing
8.2 Melody and Countermelody
8.3 Arrangement Project Idea #2: Arrangement for Combo with Two Horns
Chapter 9: An Introduction to Writing for Four- and Three-Part Front Lines
9.1 Four-Part Block Voicings
9.2 Approach Tones and Harmonization
9.3 Drop Voicings
9.4 From Four- to Three-Part Voicings
9.5 Arranging Alternatives to Block and Drop Voicings
Chapter 10: Intros, Endings, and Backgrounds
10.1 Introductions
10.2 Endings
10.3 Background Writing
10.4 Arrangement Project Idea ♯3: Arrangement for Larger Combo
Coda
Appendix 1: Lead Sheets
Appendix 2: Complete Scores
Appendix 3: Other Rhythm Section Style Conventions
Appendix 4: Recommended Listening
Appendix 5: Glossary
For Further Reading
Index
