[TPIN] Difficult Band Member - lead playing and responsibilities

[jontrimble at suddenlink.net]

Hey guys, with this coming up so much, I thought I'd add a little ditty I 
wrote for the clinics I've done around here.  Maybe there's some help here. 
Print it out, and bash me with your band guys......:)

Relating within a Big Band



While working in a big band situation, I have found it important to 
understand the relationship between the players and their roles. Keeping in 
mind this outline is only my opinion and is always subject to band leader 
requirements and settings.




First, putting egos aside, everyone must realize the drummer sets the time. 
Not the bass player, and not the lead trumpet player. A lead trumpeter may 
"suggest" a tempo or time change which may or may not be taken by the 
drummer. Right or wrong, the drummer has the ultimate say.




The Bass player has feel influence and some say in time but ultimately is 
subject to the drummer.




The Piano player establishes absolute pitch which can not be argued with. 
Time is very important. He may flow a little more then his counterparts but 
must stay within reason. (He is the singers crutch)




Getting onto the horns as a whole. Each member of a section must also listen 
to the rythmn section but be ultimately subject to the lead players 
interpretations. Don't over-blow your lead players. Follow their phrasing. 
If you are playing in octaves with your lead players pitch is most important 
from you.




Lead players, you have a very difficult task of playing everything exactly 
the same way every time you play. Your section should get to know you in a 
sense of identifying your musical voice in a crowded room. All lead players 
must be subject to the lead trumpet player. ( I hope you have a good one 
cause he's about to be fragged.




Lead trumpet. As a lead trumpet player myself I have the most advice for 
you. You are the first one to get blamed for anything that may go wrong and 
here's why. You have to establish the pitch, you get this from the piano. 
You have to establish musical time. I hope you like the drummer as you must 
follow him over a cliff if need be. You have to play as exactly as possible 
every time for you set the standard of phrasing, attacks, releases, etc. 
Listen and work with your drummer. A lead player must have thick skin as the 
only way to learn is thru constant correction. Put your strongest pitched 
player on fourth and tell him to BLOW. Your second player should have the 
ability to play odd sounding notes without faulter. Third is your split 
player if rest is needed.



Sorry for the long post guys/gals.  Hope this is actually helpful to 
someone.

Jon Trimble
jontrimble at suddenlink.net
http://myspace.com/jontrimble