Written charts

Definition

Written charts are musical notations created for big band arrangements, providing a clear and structured framework for musicians to follow during performances. These charts typically include parts for various instruments, dynamics, phrasing, and sometimes even cues for improvisation, allowing the ensemble to perform cohesively. The use of written charts is essential for big bands as they ensure that each musician understands their role and the overall arrangement, which is crucial for achieving the desired sound and complexity of the music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Written charts serve as blueprints for big band performances, ensuring that every musician knows their part in the arrangement.
2. These charts can vary in complexity, from simple lead sheets to intricate scores that provide detailed instructions for dynamics and articulations.
3. Written charts are essential for coordinating large ensembles, as they help manage the various instrument parts that contribute to the overall sound.
4. During live performances, written charts often contain cues and instructions that guide musicians through transitions and solos.
5. Many famous big band leaders, such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie, were known for their innovative written charts that defined the sound of their orchestras.

Review Questions

• How do written charts enhance the performance quality of a big band compared to unscripted improvisation?
  • Written charts provide a structured framework that guides musicians through complex arrangements, ensuring that they play in harmony and sync with one another. This contrasts with unscripted improvisation, which can lead to chaotic performances without coordination. By relying on written charts, musicians can focus on their individual contributions while maintaining a cohesive sound as part of the larger ensemble.
• Discuss the role of written charts in facilitating communication among musicians in a big band setting.
  • Written charts serve as a common language for musicians in a big band, allowing them to understand their roles and how they fit into the overall arrangement. These charts provide clear instructions on dynamics, phrasing, and cues that help musicians anticipate changes and coordinate their playing. This level of communication is critical for achieving tight ensemble playing and ensuring that each member contributes effectively to the performance.
• Evaluate the impact of innovative written charts by influential band leaders on the evolution of big band music throughout history.
  • Innovative written charts by influential band leaders such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie played a significant role in shaping big band music's evolution. Their arrangements often incorporated unique harmonic structures and rhythmic complexities that pushed the boundaries of jazz. As these leaders experimented with new styles within their written charts, they influenced other musicians and composers to explore different forms of expression within the big band format. This legacy of creativity not only transformed big band music but also laid the groundwork for subsequent genres in jazz.

Related terms

Arrangements: The adaptation of a piece of music for a particular ensemble, detailing how different instruments will play together and interact.

Lead sheet: A type of music notation that provides the essential elements of a song, including melody, lyrics, and chord symbols, allowing musicians to improvise around these basics.

Score: A comprehensive written document that shows all parts of an ensemble's music together, providing a complete view of how the different sections fit within the overall composition.