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Please excuse the mess, I'm just starting with this page.
The Basics of Horn Arranging
- Instrument Ranges
- Music Styles
- Horn Section
- Voicings
- Horn Section Styles
- Horn Part examples
- Score Examples
- Listening
Rule 1. There are no rules.
These are my guidelines to be used and ignored as needed. The only thing that matters
is whether what you write sounds good.
Instrument Ranges and descriptions
B♭ Trumpet -
The leader of the horn section, the most important instrument in the band. (in full disclosure, I play trumpet).
The trumpet usually plays the melody/top note of the voicing. High unisons very powerful.
B♭ Flugel -
In Los Angeles it is assumed every trumpet player plays Flugel. Much more mellow than trumpet. Plays better "in the staff." Doesn't have the high range
or brightness of a trumpet. Commonly used in ballads and Bossa Novas. Chuck Mangione brought the instrument to national attention.
Trombone -
Unofficially plays an octave lower than trumpet. Doesn't have the dexterity of the trumpet. Powerful.
Bass Trombone -
Mostly used in larger ensembles (Big Bands). More common to be a "double" for a trombone player. Plays lower than Trombone.
Dave Bargeron from Blood Sweat & Tears "doubled" on
Bass Trombone (and Tuba). Also used in the Jazz-Rock band Matrix. The bass trombone plays the 4th trombone part in a big band.
Soprano Sax -
Kenny G made this horn popular. Not a common nstrument in a section unless playing the lead line, used more as a solo instrument. Used in Jazz.
Alto Sax -
In the trumpet range. Sounds great as a lead, section or solo instrument. David Sanborn revolutionized the sound of the instrument which so many others followed his lead.
Tenor Sax -
In the trombone range. Unisons of tenor & trb have a nice sound. The old Jazz Crusaders.
Bari Sax -
Popular on many Motown songs (HeatWave, Baby Love, Can't Help Myself, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, etc.).
For the last 40 years, the Bari Sax has been synonymous with Doc Krupka of Tower of Power. Typicaly the Bari plays lead-ins to the root of the chord. Gerry Mulligan.
Arranging Styles -
Chicago - Trombone lead. Unisons, octaves, thirds, sixths and tenths.
Tower of Power - 13+11 chords
Jerry Hey/Seawind Horns - A youtube of Jerry and his guys making it clear why they're the best.
Jerry Workin' Day and Night
Staccato. 4ths
Flugel, flute & trombone unison.
Transcribing is a great way to learn. Here's some of my Jerry Hey transcriptions, with some horn voicings.
Black & Blue - Al Jarreau
Boogie Down - Al Jarreau
I've Had Enough - earth Wind & Fire
In The Spirit - Bob & Pauline Wilson
Keep My Eyes On Jesus - Bob & Pauline Wilson
Love Is Real - Al Jarreau
Love Is Waiting - Al Jarreau
Roof Garden - Al Jarreau
Save Me - Al Jarreau
Step By Step - Al Jarreau
Youtube of Jerry and the guys live with Al Jarreau. Sounds like the record.
Pop
Horn Section Sizes, the why and who -
The size and instumentation of a horn section are dependent on many factors. Instrumental performance
or backing up a vocalist. $Budget$ Style of music.
1 horn - Most commonly a sax.
2 horns - Most commonly a trumpet and sax. The Jazz Crusaders believed sax & trombone.
3 horns - The most common 3 horns, trumpet, sax and trombone. Chicago.
4 horns - Backing up a R&B/Pop vocalist, it's common for 2 trumpets, sax & trombone. A 4 horn jazz horn section is more likely to be a trumpet, alto, tenor & trombone.
5 horns - Tower Of Power.
6 horns - My Fav. 2 Trpts, Alto, Tenor, Trombone & Bari. Considered by many to be a "small big band."
Using Big Band parts for 3 horns - My advice, NEVER do this. It's common in big bands for the lead instruments (trumpet 1, alto 1, trombone 1)
to play the same note in different octaves.
Horn part examples -
Dancing In The Street
Cut The Cake
All Night Long
Score examples -
Listening - As much as you can.
Have you listened to all the youtube links yet?
Resources -
Jamey Abersold. Books and play-alongs.
Hopefully this will give you a great starting point.
Write as much as you can, and hear it played back by real musicians. Nothing teaches better than hearing what you wrote.
Updated 02/18/12
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