Also read topic ‘Are saxophone players required to double?’

There may be occasions when we expect the saxophone player(s) to double. In the event they do not, or they double on a different instrument, we will often produce alternate parts which could be used instead. I.e. Tenor sax doubling Clarinet (default is Flute) and/or Alto sax to double Flute (default being Clarinet).

Depending on the piece we may consider providing an additional instrument(s) which could be used in preference. For example, under certain circumstances a baritone sax would sound more authentic than another type of saxophone. Always check the details for further information.

String parts could be included and be particularly useful for those Big Band charts that have been arranged in the style of Nelson Riddle.

TopDots Orchestrations endeavours to produce 'off-the-record' arrangements and as such there may be times when a saxophone player (or both) are required to double. The 'normal' double is Alto sax and Clarinet, Tenor sax and Flute (also see 'alternate' saxophone parts).

If a double is required, the saxophone part will split into a double stave. The doubled instrument will be on one line and the saxophone pitch on the other.

All Brass players are required to play comfortably throughout the entire range of their instrument and have a full complement of mutes.

Trumpet players may be required to double Flugelhorn in some arrangements. Some of the muting/open changes may be quite sudden so having the mutes close to hand is recommended.

In some Big Band charts, Trombone 4 may be required to play Bass Trombone.

All Saxophone players are required to play comfortably throughout the entire range of the instrument. Solo's are written 'as is' and as such, there may be a requirement to use the harmonic register.

Solos will often contain chord symbols so that the soloist can perform their solo 'ad-lib'. A good understanding of chords will be useful.

Saxophone players may be expected to double Flute and/or Clarinet.

Baritone Sax players may be expected to double on Alto Saxophone and/or Bass Clarinet.

We transcribe the parts as they sound on the original recording. Some songs may have used 5 string Bass Guitars utilising the whole range down to low B below the bass stave. If your Bass player only has a 4 string Bass Guitar they will not be able to play notes below a low E, therefore we have written the parts up an octave where required to enable 4 String bass players to comfortably play the music.

As we offer multiple keys the transposition could also lower the pitch below that of normal 4 string basses. Choose the bass type that suits your needs.

When we first produce the Melody/Instrumental parts we take it from the lead vocal part and transpose it, if necessary, into a generalised range. We are aware that there may occassions when notes fall outside the range of some instruments.

As an example, a low A is quite easy to play on a Bb Trumpet but it falls below the lowest note of the Saxophone. Likewise, a high E can be really difficult on trumpet but it is not much of a problem for a Bb Clarinet.

As you can see there will probably be occasions when notes do exceed the range of your instrument. We suggest taking a common sense approach and transpose any of those phrases where note(s) go out of range.

We use the normally accepted line-up for big band line up which consists of: -

Score

Vocal, Lyrics and Group Vocals (if appropriate)

Keyboards

Bass (Acoustic/Upright)

Drums

Guitar

5 Saxes (A,A,T,T,B) – some doubling may be required

4 Trumpets (1-4) – a full set of mutes may be required

4 Trombones (1-4) Sometimes the 4^th trombone is required to play bass trombone.

2 x full scores are included (one in Concert pitch and one in transposed).

Lead Vocal. If there is a vocalist on the original recording, the lead vocal part comes in a combination of both traditional notation and text format. After the musical notated pages comes text only pages’ containing just the lyrics in a large sized font ideal to read at distance. We suggest for rehearsals the singer uses the notation to reproduce the style and phrasing of the original song. After the piece is learnt the large format words can be used onstage (if required) as a reminder if required. Of course, if the piece is an instrumental work the vocal part(s) will not be available.

Group Vocals. Written for a maximum of 3 male and/or 3 female singers, this part is also available in notation and may include large format lyrics. If the instruments are available, the group vocal singers (BV's) could also play suitable percussion.

Guitar. The Guitar part is designed to be played by a single player and as such may be a composite of the various parts from the original recording. The Guitar part may also include a separate ‘guide’ part which is notated in a way that most professional guitarists would expect to see. If so it could include just the chord names and rhythm indication or a slash region which the guitarist would need to interpret. The Guitar part will always include a chord diagram chord sheet of the chords used within the song.

Master Keyboards. A comprehensive 3 stave part. The upper stave primarily contains the lead vocal cue, the middle stave contains the primary keyboard part plus any important cues. The lower stave contains the bass cue. This part contains chord symbols throughout and can be used by a keyboard player, by a keyboard vocalist or can be used as a Conductor guide for a musical director. Descriptive names are used in the patch list to help the player select the appropriate tones.

Guide Keyboards. This is similar to the Master Keyboard part although the Guide Keyboards only uses two staves and does not include any lead vocal cues. Chords are included as well as a ‘Patch list’ informing the player of what sounds they will be expected to select at some point in the song..

Bass (4 String). This bass part is displayed using standard musical notation and can be played by a standard 4 string bass guitar using standard tuning. 

Bass (5 String). This part uses standard notation can be used by a player when/if the range goes below E which can occur quite frequently if the key is lowered from the pitch of the original recording. This part can also be played by an additional keyboard player if the sound on the original recording is a bass synth of some kind. 

Drums. This part is arranged for a standard drum kit which includes (kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal plus three tom-toms and cowbell). The part is written using standard notation. Occasionally a guide part may be included. Included in every drum part is an index (Nomenclature) of the drums used.

Alto Saxophone. As part of the 4 front line section, the Alto sax player may also be required to double on Clarinet and/or possibly flute. Depending on the piece and if doubling is required, an Alternate saxophone part may be included. See What are the alternate sax parts.

Tenor Saxophone. As part of the 4 front line section, the Tenor sax player may also be required to double on Flute and/or possibly Clarinet. Depending on the piece and if doubling is required, an Alternate saxophone part may be included. See What are the alternate sax parts.

Trumpet. As part of the 4 front line section. The player may be required to double on Flugelhorn. A full set of mutes are required.

Trombone. As part of the 4 front line section. A full set of mutes are required.

Scores. Included with every song are two copies of the score. One score will be in Concert pitch and the other will be Transposed. The Band Leader / Musical Director can use whichever version they prefer.

The ‘Big band lite line-up consists of: -

Score

Lead Vocal (depending on piece)

Lyrics (depending on piece)

Group Vocals (depending on piece)

3 Stave - Master Keyboards (can also be used as a mini short score)

2 Stave - Guide Keyboards

Guitar

Bass Guitar (4 String) & (5 String)

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

These Big Band arrangements are re-scored specifically for bands with 4 front line.  They sound fantastic and work really well. In our experience using the full Big Band parts with a small brass section can sound empty. These have been created with that in mind.

The ‘standard’ Pop Band line-up consists of: -

Score

Lead Vocal (depending on piece)

Lyrics (depending on piece)

Group Vocals (depending on piece)

3 Stave - Master Keyboards (can also be used as a mini short score)

2 Stave - Guide Keyboards

Guitar

Bass Guitar (4 String) & (5 String)

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

Instrumentation in detail.

Lead Vocal. This is the lead vocal part in both notation and text format. The notation follows the style and phrasing of the original song. We suggest that after learning the piece from the notation, the large format words can be used onstage as a reminder if required. Of course, if the piece is an instrumental work the vocal part(s) will be omitted.

Group Vocals. Written for a maximum of 3 male and/or 3 female singers, this part is also available in notation and large format words. If available, the group vocal singers (BV's) could also play some suitable percussion instruments.

Master Keyboards. This is a 3 stave part. The upper stave primarily contains the lead vocal cue; the middle stave contains the keyboard part plus any

important cues; the lower stave contains the bass cue. This part also contains chord symbols and can be used by a keyboard player, by a keyboard vocalist

Master Keyboard can be utilised as a guide conductor part for a musical director.

Guide Keyboards. This is based upon the master keyboard part. This part uses two staves and does not include the lead vocal cues. Chords are included.

Bass (4 String). This bass part can be played by a standard 4 string bass guitar with standard tuning.

Bass (5 String). This part can be used by a player when/if the range goes below E which can occur quite frequently if the key is lowered from the pitch of the original recording. This part can also be played by a keyboard player if the sound on the original recording is a synth.

Drums. This part is arranged for a standard kit which includes (kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal plus three tom-toms and cowbell).

Alto Saxophone. As part of the 4 front line section, the Alto sax player may also be required to double on Clarinet and/or possibly flute.

Tenor Saxophone. As part of the 4 front line section, the Tenor sax player may also be required to double on Flute and/or possibly Clarinet.

Trumpet. As part of the 4 front line section. The player may be required to double on flugelhorn. A full set of mutes are required.

 Trombone. As part of the 4 front line section. A full set of mutes are required.

TopDots has researched extensively into finding ways to help singers select arrangements in a key that’s best suited to them.

Go to the Song Details page of the song you are interested in.

1. Select

Identify the cluster of boxes which refer to the available key(s) of the arrangements we have produced. One will always be named as ‘Original recorded key’ and there will be at least two more located underneath and labelled as ‘Select alternate key’. In these boxes the key will be displayed written in text format i.e. Am, D, C# etc.

2. Check

To one side of the page is a musical stave which displays two notes. The leftmost note is the lowest note and the right note is the highest note the singer reaches while performing the song. Please be aware this range excludes the range used in any vocal ad-libs. By clicking on the lower note, a single note (piano) will sound. In a similar way, by clicking on the higher note it will sound the highest note. By clicking back and forth on these notes it should be relatively straight forward to know if you are able to sing comfortably within that range.

Alternate key. If an alternate key is selected (by clicking in its box) the notes that appear in the stave will automatically change to reflect those of the new key, and the corresponding new vocal range. As before audition the notes repeatedly to confirm suitability.

Note: To avoid confusion, whatever key button is selected, the ‘active’ box will remain highlighted.

 Verify

Located just beneath the musical stave is a ‘Preview Audio’ button. By clicking on this button, a small audio (MP3) clip of approximately 30seconds will play. Use this feature to verify the key you have chosen. The audio clip is in the key you have been auditioning. If a new key is selected the audio clip (and the PDF example page of music) will change accordingly.

Please note: We are unable to refund or exchange any order made in error. It is the responsibility of each customer to ensure the key is correct at the time of ordering.

If all the various versions fall outside your comfortable singing range, please contact the office to discuss our Custom Key service. The arrangement can be transposed into any key so it can be tailored specifically for each customer.

Please note there is a charge for this service and the arrangement will be printed ‘in-house’ and posted.

TopDots reserves the right to include any custom transpositions into its general library. TopDots is unable to supply custom arrangements on an exclusive basis.

When we create our arrangements, we strictly adhere to the original recording in matters of harmony to create a faithful reproduction. When we produce arrangements in alternate keys, we may have to make subtle adjustments to the notes of certain instruments or the voicings for groups of instruments.

For example, a bass guitar (4 string) has a lowest note of an E natural. If the original contains a bass part favouring the low E (common practice in many pop songs), when a version in a lower pitch is produced, we may need to transpose some notes up an octave.  Our ears are used to hearing the song in its original key so when certain notes are changed, we can perceive that something isn’t quite right.

When we have to make these changes, we do so in the most musical way possible and by the smallest intervals we can.

Firstly, we always produce one version of the arrangement in the key of the original recording. When completed we then consider producing additional versions in different keys. If we determine that the original key makes playing it difficult we may move the key up or down slightly to produce a ‘friendlier’ version for the musicians to play. For example, if a piece was originally written in the key of E major concert (4 sharps) this would produce trumpet parts in the key of F# (6 sharps) and Eb Alto sax parts would have their parts in 7 sharps.

By lowering the piece by just a semitone (to Eb concert), this would put the trumpet and alto player in F and C respectively. We don't simply consider just a player’s ability to play in 'awkward' keys, one of our biggest considerations is the vocal range. If, for example, the singer in the original key is singing extremely high it would be pointless to transpose the arrangement even higher. Generally, our decisions for putting the arrangement into a specific key is made using a combination of experience and common sense.

Also refer to How do I check if I am able to sing in the key of your arrangement?

Yes.

TopDots offer a custom key service and will produce a version in any key. Once produced we may include this alternate version alongside our existing multi key versions. Note: There will be an additional cost for this service.

Please contact the office for further information.

No. We do not supply our master files under any circumstances.

If you require any custom editing, which is above and beyond the normal Custom Key service, please contact the office. After editing we will print the revised version and post it to you.

Yes.

All the demos for each arrangement can be found on the Song Detail page. We provide:

1. One page of the Master Keyboard part in PDF format.
2. A video. Demonstrating the available keys.
3. An audio Demo.

Note. The Audio demo and PDF preview will change key depending the selected key you have chosen in the drop down menu.

Yes – with conditions.

All of our arrangements can be used for producing promotional sales material, social media posts or merchandise. Additional licences may be required from other licensing bodies. (I.e. Performing Rights, Mechanical etc) which is the responsibility of the band/performers to obtain directly themselves.

Using the arrangements for the commercial production of backing tracks, karaoke products or individual instrumental tracks; commonly known as stems, or copying of the arrangement in whole or part, is strictly prohibited.

Yes.

However, we do provide Tablature parts in the ‘Guitar Xtra Pack’ for guitarists and bass players. For singers we provide lyric sheets.

If you feel you have identified an error with your arrangement please contact us and let us know. If you are proved correct we will rectify the master score and re-render the master parts on the website. We will then send you the updated parts.

Our audio demo tracks (available for every song) are produced using Cubase - a popular Digital Audio Workstation by Steinberg. The notation itself is produced in Steinberg's Dorico professional typesetting software and from there we export the MIDI data and import it into Cubase. After import, we 'manipulare' the data to obtain a more realistic playback and use a variety of VST sample playback instruments to produce the authentic sound of the original.

We use some the UK's best session guitarists and brass/sax players to record live performances which we also use on our tracks.

We do not include a melody line in the tracks to give singers space to audition songs properly.