(Untitled)

[e_m_k]

I was working on a string quartet arrangement tonight for an upcoming wedding. The song is John Lennon's "Real Love." I listened to his version first, which is very nice. The clients asked for the Regina Spektor version, which I also initially thought was very nice. Then, as I was working through it, little details kept popping out. Places in the

Comments

Gay big band?

[john1082]

Seems like an odd way to define an orchestra. And a bassoon in a big band?

Re: Gay big band?

[e_m_k]

Haha, most orchestras perhaps - although I'm token in ours.

I occasionally play with the local gay band organization, which has a marching band, symphonic band, big band, and jazz combo. (rcgfb.org) Although I play bassoon with the symphonic band, I play piano with the big band. I played jazz piano intensively for several years, but it's more of a hobby now.

[jejb007]

Ooo I wanna hear it!

My marching band is working with beatles music right now for our fall show. We're calling it "A Mirror in the Heart"... its sort of about the duality of love.. about the shitty parts that come with it too ;o)

But for real real.. do you arrange on software or by hand? ;o) I wanna hear it...

[e_m_k]

Seems like "Real Love" would be great for the theme of the show, although the music might be a little slow and sparse for marching band...what other songs are you using?

When I'm arranging it's about half by hand and half on Finale. For example, the couple also wants a string quartet rendition of Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" (another great song) and I figured out the voicings at the piano before moving it to Finale. But with "Real Love" there was just a piano behind the voice, and with bassoon and piano I have relative pitch, so I went from the recording to the computer. I broke down and bought an unlimited monthly Rhapsody account, but I think it's absolutely worth it as opposed to buying each track individually.

[jejb007]

We're using "Because" as our intro piece... but all fucked up and made darker. And then Eleanor Rigby as a sort of tangoy piece. And I think were using Across the Universe as the closer.

Hah... you should get into the arranging for High School Band business.. it pays ok.. atleastI know folks who make a lot of money doing it ;o)

[e_m_k]

Believe me, I've thought about it. High school band is a big cash cow :)

But I'm happier with what I do now. I occasionally do HS stuff as a favor, perhaps I should market it?

Good song choices, BTW. "Across the Universe" is one of my favorites. I was thinking that "Something" would also work nicely for marching band.

[nycounterpoint]

A-HEM, are you going to the Porter Party? (I want to say pottie so bad - my maturity is astounding, I know...)

[e_m_k]

(Sorry I missed it BTW, was working in PDX.)