Start by creating a mood for the song. Start with the CHORD CHANGES or HARMONY for the song. Ask yourself what key do I want to write in. A major or minor key. Which major or minor key? What am I writing for? A singer or an instrumentalist? What is the range of the singer or instrument? After you decide on a key, start composing the chord progression with the root chord. For example, if you're composing in the key of C Major, start your chord progression with a C Major chord and decide what chord will come next and so on. Personalize the chord progression by letting your ear decide what sounds good to you. Consider the form you will be writing in. Start with a 2-part form which consists of an A section and a contrasting B section. Start the chord progression with the A section. Change the chord progression in the B section for a climatic change that gives the song more interest.
SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC
SMOOTH JAZZ is a sub-genre of jazz which is influenced stylistically by R&B, funk and pop.
Beginning in the early 1970s, it was an evolution into jazz with a modern, electronic sensibility. The instruments most widely associated with the style are the soprano saxophone, inspired by players like Grover Washington, Jr., Wayne Shorter and Nathan Davis, and a certain flavor of electric guitar, influenced by players like Wes Montgomery and Grant Green. Jazz fusion ensembles such as Spyro Gyra and Bob James' Fourplay were important in the development of the genre.
Smooth jazz concerts and CD sales continue to show strong fan support for the genre.
HISTORY OF THE SOPRANO SAXOPHONE
The SOPRANO SAXOPHONE was invented in 1840 and is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument. The soprano is the third in size of the saxophone family which consists, as generally accepted, (from smallest to largest) of the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass and contrabass. Benedikt Eppelsheim has constructed a new "Soprillo" saxophone, which sounds an octave above the soprano.
A transposing instrument pitched in the key of Bb, the soprano saxophone plays an octave above the commonly used tenor saxophone. Some saxophones have additional keys, allowing them to play an additional F# and G at the top of the range. These extra keys are commonly found on more modern saxophones.
FAMOUS JAZZ SAXOPHONISTS
A vital part of Bruce Springsteen's Top 40 sound was his tenor soloist, CLARENCE CLEMONS.
MICHAEL BRECKER combines a post-60s jazz esthetic with the uncomprising perfectionism of the studio musician.
The only Argentinian sax player to win world renown, GATO BARBIERI, is one of many who helped open the field for non-Americans in the 70s.
