Big Band Lead Sound

[stuartissimo]

Kinda agree there. Making a player change when they’re not on board with it can be frustrating for personal relations.

The old adage ‘lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink’ applies here. Rather than forcing gear changes, talk with the player. Make them understand what is needed, and once they’re on board with the idea, offer broad suggestions as to what they can try to achieve that (i.e. shallower mouthpiece rather than ‘use this specific mouthpiece’). Starting with asking them to listen to specific music to get more affinity with the genre seems like a good first step. Maybe make a few recordings to highlight what the problem is (the player may not be aware they’re not being heard by the audience for example).

As Trumpjerele wrote, if said player can play lead with that mouthpiece then they’re quite skilled and experienced. Such players may not respond well to someone telling them what gear they should use (and rightfully so: if my conductor pulled such a stunt I’d politely tell them to go stuff it). Pressing the issue may just lead to escalation.

Making the changes with the player instead of for them will help building mutual trust and respect. In the long term it’ll be far more constructive.

And accept that it may take them some time to adjust (physically and mentally).
_________________
1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces

[Brassnose]

Just thought of: can you record the band/section to demonstrate the issue?
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

[LadFree]

A Bach 1 diameter and a Bach tpt 72 bell is in most cases, a very big combination that would not work out for staying in lead trumpet territory
for a long period of time..Again, I said in most cases.
A good way to approach this, would be for the player to keep playing his mouthpiece, but try a more "Friendly" trumpet. In my case, I play a large diameter mouthpiece, but now play an Olds Super,where the bell flairs much later then a Bach 72, and I feel like I have something to blow against. And I love the sound playing lead, and in the section too..Since you said he wasnt into dropping $`s, ask if anybody in the section has a more responsive horn they could bring to rehearsal.(Olds,Selmer,Shilke B1,Benge,etc)
I played a Bach 43 most of my career, and as I find myself at 70 years old, the Olds is really a game changer in my case.
Asking the guy to change mouthpieces?..I dont think thats a great idea.

[Robert P]

[Richard III]

[chase1973]

The ideal lead sound should be big, bright and edgy. Ned a sample of a sound to imitate? Maynard's sound on the 1961 roulette recording of "Ole" THAT's THE sound to copy. You're not going to get THAT sound on a Bach 1 MPC

[Richard III]

[Halflip]

[JayKosta]

[Richard III]

[Richard III]

[TrpPro]

[JayKosta]

[peanuts56]

[stuartissimo]

[LadFree]

To Richard 111; A really great way to show your lead player what you expect is to play a lead chart yourself in one of your rehearsals and have him listen. After all, your all about "Hey! Here I am!" as you stated.

[TJTS]

Have him listen to the great big band lead players and truly hear their sound and their style.

Rasey, Glow, Childers, Porcino, Chase, Brisbois, and the list goes on.

The big band I am in has about 300 charts are so. Highest I have seen is a double G. Playing lead is way more about style than atmospheric range.

This is assuming you are playing Basie, Kenton, Ellington, Herman, Shaw, Miller, etc.
_________________
Michael | Owner
www.thejazztrumpetstore.com
Vintage Professional Trumpet Store

[kehaulani]

[hose]

[Robert P]