jazz saxophone harmony

• Jan 21, 2013 - 17:22

Hi,
sorry this is probably in the wrong section...
I'm relatively new to composition, but I've played jazz and improvised and I have a low-level to moderate music theory background.
In a big-band jazz composition I've been trying to find the notes the notes in a very common sounding saxophone harmony, where alto1 has a melody and another sax has notes underneath...a perfect example of the sound I'm looking for is in 2:12 of Ellington's Jubilee Stomp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pixcb3LhKk

Is there any standard way that this kind of harmony is achieved or am I really over simplifying this?

Thank you very much!

P K

Comments

• Jan 22, 2013 - 03:18

The general term for this type of harmonized line is a "soli". Duke tended to uses his own unique voicings, but for most arrangers, there is a standard technique called "drop 2 voicings" that are used. Google that term and you should get lots of good info.

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