Touchstone

Description

Touchstone is a compelling, heartfelt even eighth-note ballad that will show off the soft side of your ensemble. The chart has some great musical moments and features well-crafted rhythm section parts that are fully notated.

Program Notes

Aptly titled, this heartfelt ballad will help your young jazz band reach a new level of achievement and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Varied dynamic contrast and sparkling piano ornamentations throughout make this ballad shine. Optional written solos for Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet and Trombone provide opportunities to showcase your rising stars.

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

The Piano plays a prime role in this piece so be sure to open and/or amplify an acoustic piano so it can be heard at all times. The drummer’s attention to Hi-hat and Ride Cymbal designations will help attain this. If the Guitar player can’t play the exact notes written in the passages that aren’t strummed, he/she is encouraged to finger pick/arpeggiate the chords in those same measures in a comfortable manner. An amplified acoustic guitar would be preferred. Wind players need to follow all slur markings to maintain the intended legato style. The accompaniment phrasing should align with the melody at all times.