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> Dear List,
>	 going back to Mark's original question, does anyone know of any 
> books on composing and arranging for band?  Or are there any general tips 

Dennis Wright 'Scoring for Brass band'

Though in my opinion even the most recent edition is way behind the times
(it was published in the ?late 60s, my copy is from 1934 I think!)  If you
want, I could give a list of things to change/ignore.

Common sense works well too :)  Listen to your band and how the music fits
together, what works, what doesn't, what could be done differently (why?
why not?)  Then listen to a 'crack' band playing virtuosic music, and see
how how that fits together.  You'll find there's a lot less doubling of
parts for safety (as you find in 'utility' arrangments) and the tone
colours possible are exploited more.

Are you actually interested in arranging or composing?  I'd suggest you
start by arranging something easy for band so you get the hang of scoring
technique (a short work for chamber orchestra, or perhaps a wind band
piece) and are familiar with transpositions etc.  Pick something that's
already been done, and compare your version.  Get it played, find out what
listeners/players think.

Only compose when you have something to write!  Don't sit down with a gun
to your head (unless there is money involved :)

The main point:  Be on top of your theory.  A good start are the
associated board books, in pink and blue.  A level music is 'equivalent to
grade 8 theory' , roughly where the AB books leave off.

I acknowledge the reason I find Arranging/transcribing 'easy' (I mean, not
a chore) is that I know my Theory.  I can still enjoy it and find it
challenging though (- what goes where?  How do I cope with that octave
jump?  mutes?  How do I simulate a harp?)  I wonder how Sellers are
finding my Respighi arrangment at the moment.......

> anyone can pass on?
>	 I have vague grade 5 memories about not having any/many major 
> thirds, and no moving 5ths, but our conductor (ex-sgt major) reckons thirds 

possibly you mean doubling the 3rd in a 1a major chord.  You can do this
(says the voice of authority :) but not near the top, and only in fully
scored chords.

Parralel 5ths - depends which century you're living in......

> aren't too bad and moving 5ths can sound good.  So now I'm just confused.  
> His opinion is that it's best just to do eight bars, get them played and 
> learn from your mistakes.

Learn from other peoples mistakes first!  See the first thing I wrote.

> 
> Darren
> 
> --
> Darren Ashman,  Principal Cornet and Secretary
> City of Cambridge Brass Band,  UK
> dashman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://members.aol.com/ccbb/
> 
> 
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-- 
  Alastair Wheeler
  Euphonium & Trombone			    Fundamental Brass
  Bass Trombone			   City of Oxford Brass Band
  Alastair@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   http://users.ox.ac.uk/~newc0349
  "I am following my fish"


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