Swing or jazz music is often performed by a big band orchestra. This group of musicians has a leader and usually consists of brass players, woodwind players and percussionists. This is a very popular style of music all around the world and it is played at a variety of different levels from amateur to professional.
The jazz orchestras have developed in line with the styles of swing and jazz. The styles were first performed during the nineteen thirties and its popularity has stood the test of time. The musical arrangements that are played usually contain a strong melody although over the years more free style improvisation has been added to the genre.
The bands first performed in the United States during a time when segregation between the races was still very much in force. Initially swing was considered to be music for black people and there was some controversy surrounding it. By the time that it was being used to boost morale during the Second World War it was much more popular with the white middle classes.
The standard instrumentation for a band was made up of seventeen musicians. Traditionally there would be a percussion or rhythm section that would include drums, piano, guitar and a bass. Then there was a saxophone group made up of a mixture of tenors, altos and baritones. This would be concluded with four trumpets and four trombones.
Since then it has become common to divert from the normal layout of performers. Different sections like string instruments can be included and some of the more traditional wind instruments like clarinets and flutes can be used. It is also common to have a lead vocalist or a group of singers performing with the orchestra.
Big band orchestras still remain very popular today. There are many professional groups that perform regularly. It is also common to see the style being played by students in schools, with many of the original songs coming back into popularity.
The jazz orchestras have developed in line with the styles of swing and jazz. The styles were first performed during the nineteen thirties and its popularity has stood the test of time. The musical arrangements that are played usually contain a strong melody although over the years more free style improvisation has been added to the genre.
The bands first performed in the United States during a time when segregation between the races was still very much in force. Initially swing was considered to be music for black people and there was some controversy surrounding it. By the time that it was being used to boost morale during the Second World War it was much more popular with the white middle classes.
The standard instrumentation for a band was made up of seventeen musicians. Traditionally there would be a percussion or rhythm section that would include drums, piano, guitar and a bass. Then there was a saxophone group made up of a mixture of tenors, altos and baritones. This would be concluded with four trumpets and four trombones.
Since then it has become common to divert from the normal layout of performers. Different sections like string instruments can be included and some of the more traditional wind instruments like clarinets and flutes can be used. It is also common to have a lead vocalist or a group of singers performing with the orchestra.
Big band orchestras still remain very popular today. There are many professional groups that perform regularly. It is also common to see the style being played by students in schools, with many of the original songs coming back into popularity.
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