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Using Jazz Band Sheet Music, or Not |
By Jan Waring
 Many jazz bands perform in small clubs, or at celebrations where tunes are usually requested and played from memory. Rather than using jazz band sheet music to play the tunes, most soloists improvise on the melody line.
Professional bands will use jazz band sheet music while they practice and are deciding what tunes they will adopt as part of their repertoire.
Jazz band sheet music is written for and read by professional and amateur musicians alike. There are websites and music stores where you can find a desired piece jazz band sheet music. But most professional jazz bands have music arranged specifically for them according to their instrumentation. These are called charts.
Music and Everyday Life
Music affects our lives and usually without us taking notice of it. Some people cannot seem to function without music somewhere in the background. Others dont even realize that it can have a beneficial effect.
Some people have studied music and made careers out of it. It is these people who make the best use of jazz band sheet music, by delving into
the intricacies of the instrumentation.
Sheet music brings order to an ensemble to help guide the members through chord changes. It also serves as a filter to make certain all harmonies are covered and that at least one instrument is playing the melody line. Jazz band music sheet is just as important for the jazz players who prefer improvisation, as there is a time for improv and a time for order.
Jazz music is meant to be casual and relaxing; alleviating stress, making the atmosphere right for a romantic evening. It is rather rare to see jazz players using jazz music sheets in their performances; however, most of them do use jazz band music sheet, especially a big band. Even if you are not a musician and dont know much about sheet music, just put on some jazz music and watch your worries melt away.
Jan Waring is an avid Jazz Music fan and writes many articles on the subject. Read more at Jazz 411.
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