Don Menza on learning orchestration.

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: MB)

Don Menza discusses the importance of learning jazz history.

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: MB)

Don Menza on playing the clarinet.

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: MB)

If you are experiencing problems playing audio on this site,
please update to the latest version of Flash.

Transcription

Q: “Mentioning writing – if you didn’t go to school and study orchestration, where did you learn to do it?”

A: “The same way I learned to play, from records. The first chart I ever wrote, I managed to ... I copied Tiny's Blues off a record of the Tiny Kahn Big Band album, which I understand was Al Cone. And the first time I heard it back, I almost had a heart attack. I had to sit down. The second time, I was a little closer and then I had somebody show me what I was doing wrong here and what ... I had some other people, you know, like … rather arthritic approach to passing lines, and I don't play the piano at all. I don’t know anything about, well, I didn't know anything about the keyboard harmony at the time, so it was sort of a hit and miss. But what I learned I remembered. I never forgot, you know.”