Arranging Masterclass with Maestro Roberto Sion
Taught by the illustrious Maestro Doctor Roberto Sion, this course aims to offer the basic pedagogy for musicians interested in bringing their experience as soloists and composers into a new field of expression: Arranging! Departing from a (re)examination of intervals, scales, chords and the practice of specific arranging techniques, the student will be able to create arrangements for ensembles of 2 to 8 musicians by the end of the course, and develop their abilities on Finale notation software.
Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00pm ET (5:00-6:00 PT) from June 16 to September 1, 2021.
Cost: $500 for 10 sessions if paid by June 16, $60 per class after June 16 or to pay per class.
To register fill out the form below and send payment to: https://www.paypal.me/richrellim
Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00pm ET (5:00-6:00 PT) from June 16 to September 1, 2021.
Cost: $500 for 10 sessions if paid by June 16, $60 per class after June 16 or to pay per class.
To register fill out the form below and send payment to: https://www.paypal.me/richrellim
Course Schedule
ARRANGING MASTERCLASS
MODULE 1
MODULE 2
MODULE 4
MODULE 5
MODULE 6
MODULE 7
MODULE 8
THE NEXT TWO MODULES WILL BE ESSENTIALLY PRACTICALS:
MODULE 9
The teacher will prepare – at the spot – a one chorus arrangement of Stella by Starlight (Victor Young). Instrumentation will be: piano/guitar, bass, Bb trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax and trombone. It will be applied as much as possible all the melodic and harmonization techniques examined in this course. Also, before start writing the arrangement will be provided to the participants a sheet with practical ranges of all instruments to be used in this arrangement.
OBS. Before finishing this class, students will be asked to choose for next meeting, any American (or Brazilian) 32 bars song and to write a similar arrangement by their own (slow medium tempo, similar techniques, same instrumentation)!
MODULE 10
This final class should occupy the double time spent in regular classes. Dedicated to listen, analyze, correct, and evaluate the arranging-project of each student as well as to promote commentaries about how the course functioned to each one, possible benefits, what could be improved, etc.
- Theory (a)
- Practice (b) and
- Appreciation (c)
MODULE 1
- Theory (a) – (Re)examination of triads and seven chords extracted from a major scale. Other basic types of chord and chord symbols.
- Practice (b) – Ear training exercises over this material. Writing short melodies with just chord tones.
- Appreciation (c) - Listening to a Jazz quintet arrangement – Analysis and comments.
MODULE 2
- Chord Inversions. Chord extensions. Closed and opened harmony. Harmonic continuity.
- Writing 4 voices chords over a 32 bars standard, using whole and half notes, applying harmonic continuity.
- Listening to a 4 voices vocal arrangement from Swing Era.
- Voice leading and harmonization of a melody (Block Style). How to harmonize chord and non-chord tones.
- Writing down the sequence of chords of a given standard tune, in whole or half notes, using Block Style.
- Singing each voice, first. Singing vertically each chord.
MODULE 4
- Terminology for melody analysis: chord notes, chromatic approach notes, scale approach notes. Appropriate scale for: Major, Minor, Dominant, Minor Seventh, Diminished Seventh and Half-diminished Seventh chords.
- Writing and then, singing in a range of 1 octave, each of these scales in C, F and G keys.
- Listening to a movement of a J.S. Bach Suite for Cello.
MODULE 5
- More elements for melody analysis: passing tones, auxiliary tones, indirect resolution, non-chord approach note, double chromatic approach.
- Writing a 16 bars melody over a chord sequence, using whole, half, quarter or eight notes rhythmically. Applying chord tones and embellishing elements studied in Module 4 and 5.
- Listening to the songs Midnight Sun (Hampton / Burke / Mercer) and Eu Te Amo (Jobim/ C. Buarque).
MODULE 6
- How to harmonize in Block Style.
- Departing from a), harmonize the 16 bars melody worked out in
Module 5. - Listening to a George Shearing and/or Oscar Peterson piano improvisation.
MODULE 7
- Melodic Tensions, Tension-resolution patterns (Hi-Lo). 3 different ways.
- Working out an exercise specifically prepared to deal with above elements.
- Listening to an a capella arrangement of great vocal ensembles such as Take Five, Swingers Unlimited, etc.
MODULE 8
- Principles of Background Writing
- 4 measures exercises
- Listen to an example of Ella or Sinatra singing with a Big Band.
THE NEXT TWO MODULES WILL BE ESSENTIALLY PRACTICALS:
MODULE 9
The teacher will prepare – at the spot – a one chorus arrangement of Stella by Starlight (Victor Young). Instrumentation will be: piano/guitar, bass, Bb trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax and trombone. It will be applied as much as possible all the melodic and harmonization techniques examined in this course. Also, before start writing the arrangement will be provided to the participants a sheet with practical ranges of all instruments to be used in this arrangement.
OBS. Before finishing this class, students will be asked to choose for next meeting, any American (or Brazilian) 32 bars song and to write a similar arrangement by their own (slow medium tempo, similar techniques, same instrumentation)!
MODULE 10
This final class should occupy the double time spent in regular classes. Dedicated to listen, analyze, correct, and evaluate the arranging-project of each student as well as to promote commentaries about how the course functioned to each one, possible benefits, what could be improved, etc.
Rates:
10-class package: $90/hour (40% discount)
Special early bird rate: $50/ class (18% discount) if paid in full (all 10 sessions) by the start of the fist session
Next group class 10-week session begins June 16 from 3-4pm PT (6-7pm ET)
To register, fill out the form below and send payment through Paypal, Venmo or a credit card:
Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/richrellim
Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2093149996449792507
- Private lessons
10-class package: $90/hour (40% discount)
- Group classes (3 or more students) - 10 class session (once a week)
Special early bird rate: $50/ class (18% discount) if paid in full (all 10 sessions) by the start of the fist session
Next group class 10-week session begins June 16 from 3-4pm PT (6-7pm ET)
To register, fill out the form below and send payment through Paypal, Venmo or a credit card:
Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/richrellim
Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2093149996449792507