A big band orchestra is a group of musicians that come together to play music. They often play jazz and swing music and they are usually made up of people playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. There are lots of professional and amateur groups that play all over the world.
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.
This music was emerging largely in America at a time when racial tensions were high. The orchestra bands were initially branded as race music and white people would not listen to it. It did not take long for this to change though, as within a decade or so the predominant listeners of swing were middle class white people. Swing music was very popular during the Second World War as a way of keeping peoples hopes up.
The groups traditionally consisted of seventeen players and a conductor or leader. There will be a rhythm or percussion section, saxophones, trumpets and trombones. The music that the band played would have been specifically arranged for this configuration of players.
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.
There are lots of professional and amateur big band orchestras across the world today. Playing music together is used educationally within schools and it is also a good way of socializing.
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.
This music was emerging largely in America at a time when racial tensions were high. The orchestra bands were initially branded as race music and white people would not listen to it. It did not take long for this to change though, as within a decade or so the predominant listeners of swing were middle class white people. Swing music was very popular during the Second World War as a way of keeping peoples hopes up.
The groups traditionally consisted of seventeen players and a conductor or leader. There will be a rhythm or percussion section, saxophones, trumpets and trombones. The music that the band played would have been specifically arranged for this configuration of players.
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.
There are lots of professional and amateur big band orchestras across the world today. Playing music together is used educationally within schools and it is also a good way of socializing.
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