7359 / 18210 · Workshop 57 — “Mack the Knife” Arranging Laboratory: From Two-Beat Cabaret to Swing, Walking Bass, Stride, Block Chords, Modulation, Latin, Funk, Ballad, Minor Reharm, and Full Performance Architecture← prev⊞ allnext →
57.1First principle — why this tune is ideal
“Mack the Knife” has a huge arranging advantage:
the melody is rhythmically and harmonically clear enough that the accompaniment can change dramatically without destroying the song.
That makes it perfect for our course.
A harmonically delicate melody may resist aggressive stylistic transformation.
This one can survive a lot.