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Posted by 02 If you are writing for choir or instrumental ensemble (like wind band or orchestra), the VOICE LEADING rules come into play, and the chords that precede and follow your DM9 etc. are very important. Hope this helps
on 6/11/2004, 10:00 am, in reply to "writing chords"
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I think you're asking about writing the chords on a staff for instruments or voices. There are a few considerations when doing this. First, you might write each chord in close position, which means that (using the E9 for example) starting from the bottom, you write E-G#-B-D-F#. Now you have the notes of the chord collected. Next, you have to decide how to voice the chord. If you're on guitar, for example, you have numerous options, and the sequence of how you get into the chord is less important than if you are writing this chord for a choir. Same for the other chords. If you're writing a piano arrangement, and your chord sticks out in the sequence and on that instrument, then you'll want to try various combinations (order of the notes in vertical space) to find the best sounding voicing in the context. As a rule, try to keep the lower notes spread out so you don't get a muddy sound. You might try this for your E9: E-B-G#-D-F#, or E-G#(up 10)-D-F# and drop the B (it isn't always necessary to include the fifth of the chord.
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