Edition: Jazz Little Big Band Arrangement

Description: Waltz - Medium

Publisher: Walrus Music Publishing

If your little big band is looking to include some 'light classical' music in its set, then this is just the arrangement. One of impressionist composer Claude Debussy's earliest works, Arabesque No. 1 is one from a pair of evocative piano pieces. His view of a musical arabesque was a line curved in accordance with nature. As such, the key has been changed to the more horn-friendly A-flat concert for most of the arrangement, and the desired smooth phrasing is indicated. This arrangement is very close to the original harmonically; making use of major 9th chords, dominant inversions and parallelism tracing back to the fauxbourdon. In popular history, Arabesque has served as TV theme, marching band, and video game music.

This jazz waltz arrangement features a very reasonable lead trumpet range and drummers have the opportunity for brush, stick, and mallet work. Debussy's majestic interlude is enharmonically notated for ease of reading and the bass part is fully notated with an adjustable optional guitar part, which can be simplified if necessary. Guter's arrangement benefits from some added mute shadings (harmon and cup). While the arrangement calls for acoustic bass, an electric bass could be used instead. Arabesque No.1 weighs in at just about three-and-a-half minutes, making it a great choice to introduce your audience to this style of music.

Full Score
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
2 Trumpets
Trombone
Guitar (Optional)
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet: G5