Review: Jazz Arranging Techniques from Quartet to Big Band by Gary Lindsay

Author: Gary Lindsay
Copyright © 2004
Published by Staff Art Publishing

Summary:

I haven't had a chance to personally go through this book, but one of the original members of LJP, Ryan (now quite well known as a composer and arranger himself) has:

For all those interested in writing for combos and big bands, check out Gary Lindsay's "Jazz Arranging Techniques". There is nothing else like it out there...it's a complete text book with assignments and numerous, detailed audio examples.

The invaluable CD it comes with is a hybrid which includes audio, pdf, and sibelius files. You'll really have to check it out to see what I mean.

Description (book jacket or other publisher notes):

This textbook, which can be studied either individually or in a classroom environment, includes a CD (Mac OS / Windows) with sixty-one audio examples corresponding to scores in the book and separate files of all the assignments.Jazz Theory and Harmony, principles of jazz voice leading, voicing techniques, rules governing music calligraphy, chord symbol nomenclature, and jazz notation and articulation are presented in a very systematic, step by step approach. Attention is given to the function of each instrument in the ensemble, including their range, register, transposition, dynamic capabilities, and idiomatic characteristics.
Theories of balance and blend are provided with multiple recordings and scores.The most unique feature in Jazz Arranging Techniques is the way in which the many techniques are examined and applied.
Jazz Arranging Techniques provides examples of techniques used in small and large ensembles and further explains in detail how to work and create voicings for the most popular settings in Jazz music:
Four to six mixed horns (Brass and Reeds)
Five Saxophones
Four Trombones
Four Trumpets
Eight Brass
Full Ensemble (Brass and Reeds combined)
Over fifty scoring examples and four complete arrangements with recordings provide a wealth of material supporting the techniques examined in the text. Parts notation for rhythm-section is covered in great detail as well as methods of articulating horn lines, adjusting the balance and blend, amongst other valuable idiomatic instrument techniques.