Lead Player
Richard Hurwitz
Robert F. Crowley wrote:
> What exactly does it take to become a lead player??
>
> (Range, etc.)
>
> Robert Crowley
1. A solid range--a reliable G (if you have a reliable G or maybe an A,
you don't need to scream ultra-high notes)2. A melodic
understanding-playing lead is playing melody most of the time.
3. Endurance
4. A rhythmic understanding and ability. "Time", or the ability keep
metronomic time, is necessary to all players, but especially so for lead
players.
5. Confidence, based on the above.
6. Respect from the other players, also based on the above.
7. Belief that playing lead is the most important thing in the world.
Much harder, and less praised, is playing second trumpet, which requires
all of the above, the ability to match the lead player, and usually to
improvise solos as well.
All chairs are hard in their own way, and all are wonderfully satisfying
when things are good.
Richard
Robert F. Crowley
Jules ;o)
My aunt picked up a used trumpet at a garage sale the other day and gave
it to me. The only markings I see on it are a pattern on the top of the
bell and "Cadet Major" on the side. The horn needs work...bell is a little
twisted and the laquer needs to be stripped...I was wondering what the
history of this horn is...who makes it (if not CM), what kind it is (stu,
adv, pro), etc. Also, in the case there is an Olds 3C mouthpiece...is that
mpc equivalent to a Monette B6 (the mpc I use)? Just curious.
|\ __ __ __
| \ |L |L |L
| \____| |_| |_| |_____/| Julie Common ---> Second Soprano '97
| ____| |_| |_| | \___ | Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps
| / / /| | | | | |\ \ \| briga...@geocities.com or jaco...@syr.edu
| / \ \|_|_|_|_|_|/ /
|/ \_____________/ http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/2894/brigs.html
Gordon
Lead Player? Excellent musicianship Why? Because of the power and
leadership inherint with the territory it can be REAL BAD without this.
Lead Player? A certain natural ability to play at full volume all the time
in the higher ranges on a day to day basis.
Lead Player? Having said the above, a lead player must also be able to play
"trumpet parts" at a pianissimo if called on to do so. (As a last
resort-humor)
Lead Player? You must have the volition to be "hanging out there" and be
heard for the good of the musical style at all times
My $.02 (Old American Expression meaning worthless)
Gordon Stump
Pit Bull, Detroit
Robert F. Crowley <moc...@pipeline.com> wrote in article
<5pv026$v...@camel1.mindspring.com>...
Mitchell Ota
To become a good lead player, range is somewhat important, but
don't go trying to hit Triple high C's. Not many people need a range like
that. You should have a full sound, which is rich, and can be adapted to
just about any setting (latin, swing, blues, funk, etc.). Just as the
name implies, you need to be able to lead the trumpet section through your
musicality and ideas. The trumpet section tries to follow the example
that you as the lead player sets. A great book that really helps you to
get the feel of playing lead trumpet, and also helps you to understand the
non-playing aspects of lead trumpet is called "Take the Lead" by Dominic
Spera. Dominic Spera just retired this past year, from the Indiana
University School of Music, and he is a great teacher, and his book is a
wonderful way to develop your lead playing in a sensible manner.
-Mitchell S. Ota
Gordon
Gordon
Robert F. Crowley <moc...@pipeline.com> wrote in article
<5pv026$v...@camel1.mindspring.com>...
> What exactly does it take to become a lead player??
>
> (Range, etc.)
>
> Robert Crowley
>
Tulsa Band
I'd like to second what my good friend Gordon wrote. This guy has been
around, and obviously nows what it takes. It takes confidence,
preperation, practive, and persaverence. Practice playing lead charts,
and work on making everything as effortless as possible. Also, be cool,
try to meet and learn from great leadplayers, and practice!
-Donovan-
Tulsa Band Instruments, Inc.
mailto:tul...@tulsa.oklahoma.net
http://www.tulsa.oklahoma.net/~tulband
(800)564-1676
William Copeland, Jr.
In my opinion a lead player has to be strong in all areas (i.e. endurance,
tone, technical, range, etc.,etc.)
Those are the main things, but a good leader will also build up other
players, take constructive criticism, be more confident the average player,
and never stop learning.
Anyone can become a lead player if the desire is strong enough to make them
work hard enough to become one.
Bill C.
Gordon
Robert F. Crowley <moc...@pipeline.com> wrote in article
<5pv026$v...@camel1.mindspring.com>...
> What exactly does it take to become a lead player??
>
> (Range, etc.)
>
> Robert Crowley
>
> Lead Player? Excellent musicianship Why? Because of the power and
leadership inherint with the territory it can be REAL BAD without this.
Lead Player? A certain natural ability to play at full volume all the time
in the higher ranges on a day to day basis.
Lead Player? Having said the above, a lead player must also be able to play
"trumpet parts" at a pianissimo if called on to do so. (As a last
resort-humor)
Lead Player? You must have the volition to be "hanging out there" and be
heard for the good of the musical style at all times
My $.02 (Old American Expression meaning worthless)
Gordon Stump
Pit Bull, Detroit
--
Gordon Stump
gor...@cdlcorp.com
http://www.saturnrising.com/tray.html
Patrick Olguin
[some swell advice deleted]
Can't overemphasize endurance, style, and tone production (to match the
style). You can never layout to rest your chops when playing lead. I think
range (extreme range, like above G-above high C) is not as important. If
you've got a screecher resting at fourth, or fifth trumpet, that guy can
take care of screaming notes at the end of a phrase. It was common pracice
in the many jazz bands I've played in.
One thing we shouldn't overlook is demeanor. Hot trumpet players have a
reputation for having a superior attitude (you know the old joke about how
twwo trumpet players greet each other: Hi, I'm better than you), and in
many cases it's earned. I've found the best way to keep a section together
is to be humble, and if appropriate, a mentor for the rest of your
section. I've found it best to save all "instruction" for sectionals, so
that you're not embarrassing a fellow trumpet player in fron of the rest
of the band.
As someone else mentioned, playing second is often times more difficult
than playing lead. You're almost always playing in close harmony with the
lead player, which makes it difficult to hear your *melody*. OTOH, it was
always fun to push the lead player, as a second player, and match the lead
player perfectly in tone, style, and volume.
As an aside, I've always enjoyed playing 4th or 5th in a really super
band, then playing lead in a lesser band. When you're with better players,
you raise your level to theirs. At CSU Fullerton, when I would play 4th,
the lead had and I had a little signal worked out where if he needed a
rest, we'd switch parts in the middle of a chart. The only people in the
band who knew what was going on were the trumpet players, and we pulled it
off without a hitch.
Technical aspects aside, the most important thing to being a lead player,
is being a team leader. And there is no I in team.
Patrick, back from vacation, and back to lurk mode