Aaron and Drew introduce themselves and answer a handful of questions from the community.
Show Notes
Intro Music: "Pistachio" by Drew Zaremba, recorded by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band
https://music.unt.edu/store/lab-2015
Ending Music: "Take Your Time" by Aaron Hedenstrom, recorded by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band
https://music.unt.edu/store/lab-2016
Index/Questions
Introductions (0:32-04:28)
Drew's Story (04:28-07:47)
Drew's site: http://drewzaremba.com/
Aaron's Story (07:47-12:46)
http://www.aaronhedenstrom.com/
Q and A (13:10)
Question 1 (13:58)
- Paul Birk: When arranging, do you find it helpful to do a 3-line sketch of your ideas, designating lead lines and accompanimental figures within a form before actually scoring the arrangement?
- John Williams Scoring Session Indiana Jones
- Gil Evans: http://gilevansproject.com/recordings/
Question 2 (21:09)
- Justin Pierce: As an arranger, what are your favorite books/transcriptions/exercises to practice on piano?
- The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine
- http://www.shermusic.com/0961470151.php
- Piano Intro (Bobby Tucker): "I Loves You Porgy" Billie Holiday
- Billie Holiday - I Love You Porgy (Decca Records 1948)
- June Lee: https://www.youtube.com/user/war3gate
- Jacob Collier: http://www.jacobcollier.co.uk/
- Inside the Score by Rayburn Wright
- https://www.jwpepper.com/2104842.item
- Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age
- https://global.oup.com/ushe/product/jazz-composition-and-arranging-in-the-digital-age-9780195381009?cc=us&lang=en&
- Michael Abene
http://www.michaelabene.com/
- Richard Sussman
- http://www.richardsussmanjazz.com/
Question 3 (26:10)
- Cole Dapprich: What is the best way to handle doubling in an arrangement, specifically in Finale 2012 or 2014? How do I switch a part to a double and then back within the same file?
- http://www.finalemusic.com/blog/instrument-doubling-with-finale-2012/
Question 4 (27:38)
- Toshi Clinch: How do you work out the price of a commission for a client?
- Gordon Goodwin: http://www.bigphatband.com/
- Brett McDonald: BrettMcMusic
Question 5 (36:05)
Toshi Clinch: When selling your own arrangements, how do you decide on the price?
- Legality of selling arrangements: http://ostrowesq.com/no-you-dont-own-your-arrangement-of-that-hit-song/
- ASCAP: https://www.ascap.com/
- BMI: https://www.bmi.com/
Question 6 (38:18)
Toshi Clinch: What tactics do you have when you have writer's block but still have to meet a deadline?
- Sharp-9 chord: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_seventh_sharp_ninth_chord
- The Unity Orchestra: http://drewzaremba.com/unity-orchestra/
Question 7 (43:50)
Toshi Clinch: How often do you find yourself following general arranging rules when writing, and how often do you find yourself breaking away from those rules?
- Aleatoric Music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleatoric_music
- Doritos Sponsorship: https://sponsorpitch.com/sponsors/doritos
Question 8 (50:29)
Toshi Clinch: As a professional arranger, how often do you work on your own material vs. working on material for others?
- Drum and Bass music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_and_bass
- The Tortured Artist Stereotype: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortured_artist
Question 9 (55:35)
Toshi Clinch: How do you go about finding arranging work and maintaining a consistent workload?
- Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra: Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra: A Father's Love
- Drew Zaremba Big Band: http://drewzaremba.com/tag/big-band/
- S. Carey: http://scarey.org/
- Eaux Claires Festival: http://eauxclaires.com/
- UW Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble: http://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-arts-sciences/departments-programs/music-theatre-arts/academic-offerings/ensembles/jazz-studies/
Question 10 (1:06:12)
Chris Sharpe: What factors do you take into consideration when making an instrumental arrangement of music originally written with text? Do you feel the need to compensate for the lack of text?
- Night and Day (Cole Porter): Night And Day - Cole Porter
- Morse Code: http://morsecode.scphillips.com/translator.html
- But Not For Me (George and Ira Gershwin)
- Ella Fitzgerald version: Ella Fitzgerald - But Not For Me
- Harry Connick Jr. version: But Not for Me
Question 11 (1:09:22)
Camille DeVore: What are your schematics for setting up an arranging workstation (with regards to gear)
- MIDI controller: https://www.sweetwater.com/c513--MIDI_Controllers
- Macbook Pro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Pro
- Audio Interface: https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/
- Studio Mixing Monitors: https://www.sweetwater.com/c405--Active_Monitors
- External Hard drives: https://www.amazon.com/External-Hard-Drives-Storage-Add-Ons/b?ie=UTF8&node=595048
- Computer Monitors: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=computer+monitor&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Acomputer+monitor&ajr=0
- Staff Paper: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=node%3D1292115011&field-keywords=manuscript+paper&rh=n%3A1292115011%2Ck%3Amanuscript+paper
- Sibelius Software: http://www.avid.com/sibelius
- Finale Software: http://www.finalemusic.com/
- Dorico Software: https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/dorico/start.html
- Musescore Software (FREE): https://musescore.org/
- Logic Pro X Software: http://www.apple.com/logic-pro/
- Pro Tools Software: http://www.avid.com/pro-tools
- Ableton Live Software: https://www.ableton.com/en/
- Gear Acquisition Syndrome: http://www.homestudiocorner.com/gear-acquisition-syndrome/
- DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/the-20-best-daw-software-apps-in-the-world-today-238905
Question 12 (1:15:00)
Scott Neary: I would love to know how you break into the world of commission writing, arranging, and breaking into the professional world beyond writing for your own projects
Question 13 (1:15:18)
Jordan Coffing: I wanted to know how you communicate with clients who are either non-musicians or not very musically educated?
- Rich DeRosa: http://richderosa.com/
- Thelonious Monk Quote: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/459943-writing-about-music-is-like-dancing-about-architecture
- Trombonists and Pizza Delivery: http://www.musicomic.com/comic/17-bone-gig/
- Temp Track: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temp_track
Question 14 (1:21:56)
Eddie Eby: I would like to know how you guys approach writing in a new style or for a new ensemble?
- Romantic-era Composers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Romantic-era_composers
- Walking bass line: http://www.dummies.com/art-center/music/bass-guitar/how-to-create-a-walking-bass-line/
- Latin Jazz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_jazz
- Clave rhythm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clave_(rhythm)
Question 15 (1:27:40)
David Rice: I'd like to see how you guys approach writing drum parts: what do you guys feel is a good balance between writing out hits and just using slashes?
- Drumset notation: http://www.timusic.net/debreved/jazz-notation-chords-drums/
- Philly Joe Jones: Philly Joe Jones
- Elvin Jones: Elvin Jones drum solo
- Poinciana (Ahmad Jamal): Ahmad Jamal - Poinciana (Song of the Trees) Argo Records 1958