sax section writing

[huskyman]

sooo here i am, writing a piece for my school band. ONe question i have is how to write these sax section parts. I mean in terms of harmonizing and such. the way i have it now is lead alto on top, lead tenor a thrid below, 2nd alto below that, 2nd tenor 3rd below that, and bari octave below lead alto, at least for the sax only stuff....But yea i need some help. The piece is like a medly, but of jazz songs....if uve ever heard Maynard Ferguson's "bebop buffet" its like that. Its actually really awesome. Im just have smoe trouble with the harmonzing.....any advice for trumpet writting ang trombone would help too..im sure the same concept applies to all

-John

[Transcriber-arranger]

Second alto, not lead tenor, is usually the second highest part: altos above tenors.

[gary]

John - get hold of Russ Garcia's The Professional Arranger and it'll get you going.

In the meantime see if you can find out what "closed" voicing, "open" voicing, "drop 2" voicing and "drop 2&4" voicings are.

I'm not ignoring explaining it, I just don't have the time now, but perhaps this can focus your questions.

[Harri Rautiainen]

Paul Coats gives a good introduction to the topic.

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/OrchSax3.html

Although the four-part article series starts with very basics, it forms a good solid foundation.
-Harri