SUMMARY OF FUNDAMENTAL BIG BAND VOICINGS Name(s) Use Orchestration Closed position 4 parts < 8va (6th or 7th chord) 4 parts = Bva (4th part doubles Ist at octave) 5 parts = 8va (Sth part doubles 1st at octave) ‘Open position 4:5 parts > 8va, trumpets | trombones anes A-part block agile, fast closed closed (8va | tpts) | closed (8va | tpts) (Basie 4-part) _| melodies Chorale slower melodies | closed closed (8va | tpts) | open (combination) Percussive punches, limited | closed open open (basic ensemble) _| range Some open position voicings x = any allowable chord tone that doesn’t double another chord tone Intervals at the bottom should be larger. Bottom note may not be 1 if voice-leading is improved. Xe Kk KK KK Kx x x x -® XK KR KR K Kk & 7 8 9 1 38 9 38 § 5S 7 5 5 5 5 7 7 8 8 10 10 Wt 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4-part block Chorale Percussive tpts tpts tots sxs xs thns xs.