ARRANGING FOR A RHYTHM SECTION

STAGE 1 MUSIC

WHAT IS A RHYTHM SECTION?

What instruments does a Rhythm Section
consist of?
Drum kit
Bass guitar
Guitar
Piano

What is the function of a rhythm section?

To provide a rhythmic and harmonic

accompaniment for the melody.

THE DRUM KIT

The function of the drum kit is to maintain a steady tempo and

helps to establish the rhythmic feel of the arrangement

Drum music is notated on the stave , with each part of the kit being

allocated a position on the stave

THE DRUM KIT

Ride cymbal

Snare drum

Bass drum

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS EXAMPLE?

BASS GUITAR
Provides strong harmonic foundation upon which he ensemble arrangement is built

It has the four bottom strings of a guitar E A D G but pitched an octave lower

The lowest note that is written for bass is the E, one ledger line below the stave, played on the open E string

Sounds one octave lower

CONSTRUCTING A BASS LINE

Refer to the chord symbols of the chosen tune. The notes of the chord that most simply outline the harmonic

progression are the root and the fifth, played on the strong beats of the bar.
It is useful to write the chord symbols on the bass part above each bar. This helps to reinforce the relationship of

the written notes to the chord symbol.

CONSTRUCTING A BASS LINE (CONT.)

Sometimes chord progression indicate bass notes other than the root note of the chord symbol. This is indicated

by a slash chord.

CONSTRUCTING A BASS LINE (CONT.)

JAZZ STYLE BASS LINE
Uses chord notes with scale and chromatic notes added.
Often called walking bass line

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS EXAMPLE?

GUITAR
Its main function is to provide the harmonic progression and support the rhythmic feel.

Notated in the treble clef but actually sounds an octave lower

Guitar accompaniment part consists of a series of chord symbols above the desired rhythmic pattern

GUITAR NOTATION

JAZZ EXAMPLE

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS EXAMPLE?

PIANO
The function of the piano in a rhythmic section is to

provide the harmonic progression and support the

rhythmic feel
Piano has a large range and notated on the grand

stave

The piano part can be notated on one stave if

chord symbols are used, in the same manner as

the guitar

PIANO NOTATION
Writing a piano part using both the treble and bass clef allows for to show specific rhythmic and chord voicing

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS EXAMPLE?

BASIC JAZZ RHYTHM SECTION

Smooth voice leading

Rhythm

Root and fifth

Snare Drum
Bass Drum

Ride Cymbal

BASIC JAZZ RHYTHM SECTION