3:4 Writing for CB

Question 1

What kind of music does a ceremonial band perform?

Answer 1

patriotic, march style and sometimes contemporary

Question 2

What is the instrumentation of a full ceremonial band? (21)

Answer 2

Pic, 3 clarinets, 3 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 2 bones, euph, tuba, 3 perc

Question 3

What is a minimum size ceremonial band, considerations and example of instrumentation?

Answer 3

14 instrumentalists;
doubling will be minimized;
pic, 2 clarinets, 1 sax, 3 trumpets, 2 bones, euph, tuba, 3 perc

Question 4

What unique sound capability does a ceremonial band have?

Answer 4

to project sound across a field, a welcome quality to any military ceremony, parade, or patriotic opener.

Question 5

When writing for CB, what should be considered with regard to the purpose and type of work developed?

Answer 5

occasion/venue;
intended use within the occasion;
arrangement of existing work; copyright issues

Question 6

When arranging parts from source material, which section should you begin with ?

Answer 6

brass section

Question 7

what roles do the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trumpet fill?

Answer 7

1st - lead voice, main melody

2nd, 3rd - support the lead by filling out chords

Question 8

Horn parts typically double which other instrument(s)?

Answer 8

2nd, 3rd trumpet

Question 9

Horns sound especially good with which section?

Answer 9

woodwind section, especially saxophones

Question 10

How is trombone best used in CB?

Answer 10

soloist; carrying melody line when brassy, pompous style is needed; lush melodies, can compliment any section at any dynamic level

Question 11

How is the Euphonium best used in CB?

Answer 11

countermelodies;
melody lines/solos;
harmonic support within low brass

Question 12

What are some important roles of the tuba in a CB?

Answer 12

bass of the band;
establishes tonality;
Plays root and chord tones;
foundation of low brass, whole ensemble

Question 13

In marches, the tuba should be pared with which instrument?

Answer 13

percussion, matching rhythm of the bass drum; playing the unit of the beat

Question 14

When writing for woodwinds, what should be considered?

Answer 14

Use the most comfortable range;
octave lines = powerful;
soli woodwind sections give a break to brassy sections;
voice an octave higher than brass;
obbligatos = good;
ok to double brass parts

Question 15

What important role does the saxophone section fill in a CB?

Answer 15

it is the connecting link between the woodwind and brass sections.

Question 16

tenor sax is most commonly doubled with which instrument in the CB?

Answer 16

euphonium; very good timbre combination.

Question 17

What is the primary role of the percussion section in a CB?

Answer 17

maintain rhythmic pulse; driving force behind dynamics and accents