Arranging for Small EnsembleLaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

The student is able to arrange tonal pieces for a small band and gains facilities for composing his/her own music. The student can communicate information on his/her arrangement and musical insights verbally, in writing and by means of using recording equipment or computer applications.

Content

- Practical information on working life
- Transposing and writing for the most common instruments in pop/jazz music
- Analysis of written musical scores
- Definition of musical atmosphere and style
- Treatment of rhythm, melody and harmony
- Manipulation of form
- Thematic sections and background elements
- Orchestration for a small band
- Planning and sketching an arrangement
- Writing a musical score

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student:
• has participated in lessons as agreed
• has done the required exercises
• can work independently
• can write for the most common instruments in pop/jazz music
• can write for transposing instruments (e.g. saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass)
• has made the score and parts for the final arrangement satisfactorily

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student:
• has participated in lessons as agreed
• has done the required exercises
• can work independently
• can write for the most common instruments in pop/jazz music
• can write for transposing instruments (e.g. saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass)
• has made the score and parts for the final arrangement well

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student:
• has participated in lessons as agreed
• has done the required exercises
• can work independently
• can write for the most common instruments in pop/jazz music
• can write for transposing instruments (e.g. saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass)
• can modify an original composition creatively in their arrangement
• has made the score and parts for the final arrangement clearly and according to common practices
• has done a well-balanced work as a final arrangement that could be recorded or performed in a concert
• has returned the final arrangement by the given deadline

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student:
• has participated in lessons as agreed
• has done the required exercises
• can work independently
• can write for the most common instruments in pop/jazz music
• can write for transposing instruments (e.g. saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass)
• has made the score and parts for the final arrangement satisfactorily

Further information

Qualifications: The student is able to write an elementary arrangement of a tonal tune for a small band (voice, three wind instruments and a rhythm section) and produce a written score of the arrangement plus parts for the individual instruments.