Proofread My Score, Please
Hello, my name is Morgan Resendes and I have been working on arranging a Marching Band Show. I believe I have reached a point in which I’ve finished the opener (However, I don't think it could ever be "finished", per se, because as my knowledge increases about music, the more I can edit my scores to make them better). Though, being only a percussionist, I'm not too familiar with what wind instruments can and cannot do, but I know a little, due to 2 years in Marching Band (Note: I'm a Junior in High School). I would appreciate it, if other people, whom are more experienced with other instruments, took a gander at my arrangement and gave their two cents. Any criticism is accepted, good or bad; “Learn from your mistakes.” Even the slightest detail mistake would be useful. Attached is the full score and half sheets of all of the instruments. I would really appreciate if you helped me out. Thank you.
Also I should probably mention: This marching show is based off of the Pokémon side-game, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team. (I’m kind of a Pokémon nerd.) The Opener is the Title Theme. It was originally arranged by Bespinben for piano and I arranged it for Marching Band based off of his arrangement. Wherever my arrangement goes I shall credit Bespinben for creating the initial arrangement.
Comments
-Is the flute/upper woodwind part in the beginning up to measure 11 the melody? I can guarantee that probably won't be heard well on the field. If you have piccolos that would help.
-I see a bass clarinet part on there? That's not typical for marching band, but perhaps your band has some. I also don't see a baritone part. I would be surprised if you didn't have baritones.
-Any particular reason tenor and bari sax are in bass clef? They're usually written in treble.
-I would recommend just making Trumpet 2 and 3 the same in measures 16 and 17 instead of splitting Trumpet 2. The lower notes often get drowned out by the high notes in a passage like that, so it's good to have more on the bottom. Same goes for the Clarinet 2.
Looks pretty good otherwise.
In reply to -Is the flute/upper woodwind by AvenueQ
I appreciate you taking the time to look at this for me. To answer some of your questions and give some explanations:
Last year, our Marching Band had a single Bass Clarinet, so I added one in my arrangement. Though if it is not common for a Marching Band, leaving it out wont harm anything, for it never really has the melody in my arrangement.
I also don't remember seeing any baritones out on the field but, I could be wrong. But I do remember seeing them at band camp for this upcoming year. I'll see if I can write in a Baritone part .
The Tenor and Baritone Saxophones were both written in Bass Clef because they had notes that go a bit far down the ledger lines on a Treble Clef. When I put them on a Tenor and Baritone Clef they all seemed within range of the Clef so I figured they were within range of the instrument, as well. Am I wrong? Also, instead of a Treble Clef, could I put them on a "Treble Clef 8vb" to keep the notes on the staff?
Anyway, thanks for your advice; it really helps.
In reply to Thanks for your advice. by MResendes
Both tenor and baritone saxophone are transposing instruments, like other saxophones, clarinets, and trumpets. It appears from your score and parts that you haven't dealt with that properly for *any* of those instruments. After you enter the notes for your score the way you want them to sound, you need to to turn off the Concert Pitch (button at top left) before doing parts, as that will transpose everything automatically as required by the various instruments. If you gave out the parts as you have them now, the results would sound terrible - atonal cacophony. thearts *must* be transposed in order to sound right when played. Tenor and bari parts are too low to be written in treble clef at concert pitch, but once transposed, they should fit quite comfortably. So it's common to write them initially at Concert Pitch in bass clef, then switch to treble clef once you turn off Concert Pitch.
If you are not familiar with the concept of transposing instruments, you've got some catching up to do. It's too much to explain effectively here. Maybe someone else in your band would be willing to sit down and explain things to you? Anyone who plays any of the aforementioned instruments should probably be able to set you straight.
Tenor and bari will have many ledger lines when you compose in concert pitch, like your piece is. Once you take it out of concert pitch, the notes will move to where they should be (this is how I arrange because I suck at transposing). From a former saxophonist, you should definitely put them both in treble clef otherwise you will have very confused players.
To explain why this is, the tenor sax is constructed so that the note being played sounds an octave lower than what's written (bari is an octave plus a sixth lower). In concert pitch, you are entering notes in at the literal pitch you want, and then Musescore transposes it for you when you turn concert pitch off. Does that make sense?
I kind of understand what you guys are saying about transposing instruments. I should probably do some research on it before I try to change anything. This upcoming School year, I'm taking AP Music Theory; I'm hoping that will help me with this, as well. Thanks for the help from both of you; and now I know I've got a lot more work to do on this arrangement. And a lot more to learn about music.
-Much appreciated,
Morgan
Protip: tenor sax usually plays similar parts to trombones and bari usually with tuba. Sometimes the tenor counters the alto as well. Having been shuffled between low brass and saxa-horns myself, I can tell you there's not really a well-defined place for it. But that makes it a little more diverse as well. Do with it what you will.