Rambly post about arranging for dixie-ensemble

Phil Dawson · Post by **Phil Dawson** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:05 pm

Dixie is based on improv. Try getting a recording of the tune you want to play and give everybody in the band a copy of the recording and a lead sheet. Then go make music.
Good Luck, Phil

threedognate · Post by **threedognate** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:28 pm

There are dixie books that include standards arranged for each instrument - everything already written out.

Phil is right, though. Dixie is based on improvisation - using the tune and changes as your "form" and improvising all of the rhythmic and harmonic content around the tune. By reading notated music only you really are missing out on the experience of traditional jazz. Phil's comment about finding good recordings and having each player learn the part is right on the money. Individual players can even transcribe their own parts to paper - this process will help teach the players style and HOW TO improvise. There are standardized ways of doing things in a Dixieland band - each player has to learn the traditional role of their instrument. Actively listening to recordings and live performances is a great way to learn the tradition - as is playing with seasoned players.

Seek out some people who know the style and can give you some "tricks of the trade." And by all means. . . have fun!

ArnoldGottlieb · Post by **ArnoldGottlieb** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:09 pm

Super Smooth wrote:A lot of people seem to have the nuckle head idea that if you just listen to a tune it will come together, sort of like how the "Dukes of Dixie-land" started out. If I have the story right,they used to sit around and play along to recordings with their instruments, one day they turned the recordings off to see what they would sound like. They thought they had a pretty good band sound. If you ask me, they should have never turned off the recordings..

WOW.
WOW.
I need to say something here. Lowell Miller was an incredible bassist and tubaist. That band is what this music sounds like, they are state of the art. Where do you play? Who do you play with? Are you just joking? Drunk? Loving the power of anonymity?
Here's my name---what's yours?

Peace.
Arnold S. Gottlieb

Phil Dawson · Post by **Phil Dawson** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:22 pm

Along about Memorial Day every year in Sacramento they have a giant Dixieland festival. I had the great pleasure of playing a couple of years. There usually are about 100 bands or more. It seems that it is very rare to see a music stand - maybe a few in the student groups. Dixieland music has been described as group inprovisation. Many of the groups have very well worked out charts but the improv is still there - it has to be to sound like Dixie. Remember that Dixie is one of the early forms of Jazz. Jazz usually implies a great deal of improv especially with smaller groups. You can write out all of the charts you want and play from individual parts all you want but it won't sound like a good Dixieland band.
Just my opinion. Phil

greatk82 · Post by **greatk82** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:28 pm

Bloke,
With each post, I come to repect you more and more...