Skipper (VJCP513-FBB)
comp. & arr. by Russell Schmidt
$45.00 (USD) [New Releases are currently $5.00 off!]
 
This product is available for download (in .pdf format) immediately after purchase. Please note that once payment for any VJC Publication download is received and the transaction completed, no refund or cancellation is possible.
 
VJCP513-FBB – Flexible Instrumentation Jazz Ensemble Chart, which has been written to sound complete with as few as 11 pieces or as many as a full (18-piece) big band. The instrumentation is as follows:
 
Alto Sax I, Alto Sax II, Tenor Sax I, Tenor Sax II (opt.), Baritone Sax (opt.)
Trumpet I, Trumpet II, Trumpet III, Trumpet IV (opt.)
Trombone I, Trombone II, Trombone III (opt.), Trombone IV (opt.)
Guitar (opt.), Piano, Bass, Drums, Vibraphone (opt.)
 
Because this chart has been written for younger jazz ensemble, the optional Trombone IV part has not been specifically written for Bass Trombone, but is instead a more general (Tenor) Trombone part.
 
Description: Skipper is an exciting and playful piece for young jazz ensemble. It features a contemporary straight 8ths feel, though the ensemble’s parts will work over a great number of grooves, allowing you to tailor the piece to the strengths of your group’s drummer, if need be.
 
Much of the composition’s appeal comes from its frequent use of rhythmic displacement techniques. The technical demands required to play this chart are fairly minimal, in the sense that there aren’t a ton of notes to be learned in order perform it. However, Skipper will help developing musicians gain a stronger sense of rhythm, particularly as it relates to the meter, not just the pulse. And learning to effectively play this piece together as an ensemble will help all the performers become more secure (independently) in their sense of rhythm. In the open solo section, any horn player in the band can improvise over a basic chord progression; while not a blues, it relies exclusively on I, IV, and V chords. After the solo section, the melody returns (as before) to comfortably bookend the piece.
 
This big band arrangement is of beginning-to-intermediate difficulty.
 
While an excerpted audio sample is provided here at the VJC Store, complete recordings of many VJC Publications (including this one) can be found on the VJC YouTube page.
 
Please note: The VJC will never pursue payment of synchroni­zation rights from middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, community colleges, universities, all-state ensembles, church groups, or independent edu­cational programs for young people related to the posting of recorded performan­ces of this work on YouTube or other, similar sites (including social media platforms). While sharing the .pdf files is not permitted, sharing your musical performance online is.
 
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