How to Use - HymnJam

HOW TO USE

HymnJam

Instrumentalists will appreciate the opportunity to jam on well-known, traditional hymns. While these arrangements are playable by inexperienced musicians, accomplished performers will find rewarding musical challenges.

The rhythm section provides the "core" for these charts. The top treble clef instrument part provides the melody. The other instrument lines can be added in any order. The instrumental parts can be played by any number or combination of instruments.

The SCORE contains all of the musical parts for the arrangement. It is in concert pitch (not transposed).

The INSTRUMENT (treble and bass clef) parts are for wind and string players. The three different musical lines can be played by any combination of instruments. The following listing gives options for assigning parts:

Treble Clef C Instruments: Flue, Oboe, Violin
Treble Clef B flat Instruments: Trumpet, Clarinet, Soprano or Tenor Sax
Treble Clef E flat Instruments: Alto Sax
Bass Clef C Instruments: Trombone, Cello, Bassoon
Bass Clef B flat Instruments: Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet
Bass Clef E flat Instruments: Baritone Sax

Please note that, in some cases, the part may not be practical for some instruments in the octave where it is written. Players should experiment to find the most comfortable and best sounding octave for each phrase.

The PIANO part can be played by any keyboard instrument. Since it contains chord symbols, this is also the part that GUITAR players will use.

The BASS part is for acoustic or electric bass. It also can be played on a keyboard instrument. It contains chord symbols to help the experienced player add variety to the bass line.

The DRUM part is intended only as a guide. It suggests beat patterns and provides a "road map" indicating fill points and rhythm patterns to emphasize. The drummer should improvise a part appropriate to the style rather than attempt to perform exactly what is written. Additional percussion parts can be added at the discretion of the conductor and players.

All rhythm section parts (Piano, Bass, Drums) can be modified by the players and should be viewed as a "point of departure". As written, the parts provide a practical and satisfying musical foundation for the arrangements. Experienced players, however, should be encouraged to experiment by varying and embellishing what is written.

INTERPRETATION

Use the music to serve the needs of your group and situation. There is no "right" way to perform these arrangements. Keep an open mind and experiment!

The traditional rock/jazz/latin band approach to "build" an arrangement works very well. These charts generally follow that format and here is how that "structure" can be built:

Introduction
Head - this is the melody; it is played once or twice.
Solo section - this is where soloists take turns improvising over the chord progression from the melody (head). It can be repeated as often as desired.
Head - return to the melody or introduction (D.S. or D.C.).
Ending (coda)

Most of these arrangements provide a written solo for the solo section. Chord symbols have also been provided to assist players in creating "ad lib" solos. The written solo is simply one suggestion for interpreting the chord progression. Players should be encouraged to modify what is written and experiment to create their own unique statement.