[TPIN] TPIN] How NOT to be a lead player

[Denny Schreffler]

Mike Vax encapsulated some great points about the role of a lead player. 
John Kool mentioned the situation that we've all seen or been in where a
new lead player ruffles feathers in an established section.  And, while
tact and grace are personality traits that would be appreciated in nearly
every musical situation, not all of us are so blessed.

The important concept in both issues is that -- when you're not playing
lead, you're not playing lead.

I have encountered it over and over and over where one or more of the
section players are playing their own, preconceived style while being
oblivious (or intentionally contrary) to what the lead player is trying
to do with the band.  Sometimes it's a matter of the player wanting to
show how accomplished or hip he is -- sometimes it's just a matter of
unthinking habit.

What is as important as the lead player being fully competent is that the
section players LISTEN to the lead player and -- WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR
NOT -- play his style-articulation-phrasing-dynamics-tone-etc exactly as
he's laying it down.  Sounds simple but it rarely happens, especially in
"community" and similar groups.  If there is disagreement about musical
issues, those are points for discussion while not playing.  Many of us
are thoughtless, unintentional players, and then we get fussy when
someone tries to get us to be an active listener/participant in the
musical endeavor at hand.  The concept carries over to the rest of the
band -- tbns and saxes -- and that situation is nearly always as bad if
not quite so obvious.

The only co-equal in a big band with the lead tpt player is the drummer
(the Buddy Rich bus tapes notwithstanding) -- the style and swing of the
band start with those two chairs.

Years ago, I occasionally subbed in an excellent brass quintet where the
horn player previously had played with  one of the foremost orchestras in
the world (including one or more seasons as principal) with a brass
section led by a now-retired musician who many consider to be the
paradigm of American orchestral trumpet players.  The horn player tells a
story on himself about how essential (and expected) it is that we are
immediately and constatnly listening to everything that is happening in
the music -- At a first rehearsal for some particular work where the
brass section was playing as a group, at the first stop this horn player
turned to this famous principal trumpet and asked him, "How do you want
to play that section we just did?"  The o-n-l-y response he got was, "How
did you just hear me play it?"

Listen, listen, listen.  Don't let one sound ever come out of your horn
without you knowing exactly how you want it to sound and why you want it
to sound that way.  If you're a section player but want-to-be,
think-you-are, think-you-should-be the lead player, save it for another
time, another gig -- open up your ears and your mind, and let the lead
player lead.

Denny Schreffler
Tucson



  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "John Kool"
  To: "Mike Vax"
  Subject: Re: [TPIN] How to be a lead player
  Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 12:33:08 -0600



  On Mar 1, 2008, at 9:27 AM, Mike Vax wrote:

  >
  > To answer John Kool's questions from my perspective.
  > I listen for sound, stylistic approach, time, ability to swing,
  > and how well the section is following the "lead" of the lead
  > player.

  This much I expected, but the next paragraph really starts to tell
  me "how" it is done.
  Thanks

  >
  > Most times - on a recording session, you are mainly playing the
  > style of that band first, and then maybe adding a few nuances
  > from previous bands, as might be needed.

  > Example - if we were recording a Sammy Nestico chart with my
  > band, we would first try to sound and phrase the way we do with
  > all charts and then add a little of the "Basie" influence for
  > his chart.
  That really helps!


  > On a live job it really depends on if you are playing on a
  > "society band" that is trying to sound like the original
  > recordings, or playing on a "current" band that has its own
  > style.

  > When I am on a job for another leader, I always try to phrase and
  > articulate the way that leader wants the music to sound.
  Do you know this from listening to the rest of the band, prior to
  the job, or do you grab the style from listening to the other
  sections ON the job, to get a sense of style.
  Is it normal to have discussions with the leader about style?

  I am told Stan Mark (I think, or it may have been Lin Biviano) used
  to have very specific guidlines for newbies on the Maynard band to
  follow. I don't know if it was on a handout sheet, or if he just
  told the new members, as the leader of the section, or if it was
  something the rest of the section passed on to the new guys.
  Don't know if it was done in a "nurturing way" or a stereotypical,
  but not so typical "do it this this way because I am better than
  you" way.


  For your first time, is it normal in larger professional markets
  for the leader to give you a recording to listen to first?

  > That is one of my main jobs as a lead player. If I do it with
  > conviction and good time, then even on a "sight reading" dance
  > job, the section will follow me and the whole band will phrase
  > that way on ensemble passages.
  Can I also assume that having a good time as well as good timing
  count?

  How much do you "tell others how to play"?

  or do you mostly lead with your playing?

  I ask this, wondering if a smaller market like Omaha is different
  from major markets.
  I have seen a competent lead player kind of burn bridges with some
  local section guys in rehearsal bands. (who were older and played
  great jazz, but did not want to follow as much direction as the
  lead guy was giving out, or who did not like his approach to
  giving it out.

  .
  >
  > I hope this gives you my perspective on your question, John.
  > Mike Vax

  It is a great start.
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