[TPIN] Difficult Band Member - lead playing and responsibilities

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/2/2007 8:28:50 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
john.daniel at lawrence.edu writes:

I've  noticed that people do 
have more fun when we are playing better, and as  one of 
the more experienced players and as the lead player, I do 
feel  an obligation to play my best.  This isn't possible 
if a majority of  players think playing late is the same as 
swinging, playing loud is the  same as swinging, and 
playing 3rd trumpet is the same as playing lead  trumpet. 
Sometimes I do speak up, but I am not the band leader.  



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Actually, John, in all the bands I have played in over the past 50 years,  it 
is an expected and understood thing, that when it comes to phrasing,  
articulation, intonation, dynamics, ending notes and "general swinging," the  lead 
trumpet player is considered the "next in line" to the leader.  It is  expected 
that a lead trumpet player make suggestions, especially in  rehearsals.  I 
have always said in my clinics, that the lead player is  really the least 
creative person in the band.  He or she can be creative in  rehearsals to get the 
right things done, but then on the gig the lead player is  paid to be the most 
consistent person in the band.  Everyone is relying on  them for phrasing, etc.  
They must play it the same every night.
If there are musicians who aren't following or "making it" on their parts,  
the lead player can try to help and make suggestions and sometimes even get a  
little harsher.  BUT - this is best done off the stand and NOT during a  
performance (even if the band is sight reading on a night club gig).  As  has been 
said, there are right ways and wrong ways.
For a section trombone player to make the other musicians' lives miserable  
in a "rehearsal band" situation in a night club, is just not acceptable to me 
in  any circumstance.  As someone else said, if I was the lead player on that  
band, that guy would be hearing a mouthful from me.
This has been an interesting thread, for sure.
Mike Vax
PS - under the "play it the same every night" heading, comes the last note  
of the piece.  Lead players should NOT change the composer or arranger's  last 
chord by adding some nebulous high note to show off on the ending.   But - 
that could be fodder for a whole different  discussion.



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