• FAQ  • Search  • Memberlist  • Usergroups   • Register   • Profile  • Log in to check your private messages  • Log in 

Blending in a section



 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> Jazz/Commercial
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Oncewasaplayer
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 973

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:51 am    Post subject: Blending in a section Reply with quote

If you are playing in a big band section, what are your thoughts on blending with the other horns? I'd like to pick your hive mind on approaches to blending. What does blending mean to you? How do you do it? Is it more than playing similar horn types? Is it more than simply matching a similar horn sound or does it refer to precision, articulations and style in playing (which all seems like different things)? Thanks for your thoughts.
_________________
Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jerry
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 20 Jan 2002
Posts: 2157
Location: San Diego

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you mean blending or do you mean matching?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Oncewasaplayer
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 973

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I honestly don't understand what matching means.
_________________
Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Seymor B Fudd
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 17 Oct 2015
Posts: 1459
Location: Sweden

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:29 am    Post subject: Re: Blending in a section Reply with quote

Oncewasaplayer wrote:
If you are playing in a big band section, what are your thoughts on blending with the other horns? I'd like to pick your hive mind on approaches to blending. What does blending mean to you? How do you do it? Is it more than playing similar horn types? Is it more than simply matching a similar horn sound or does it refer to precision, articulations and style in playing (which all seems like different things)? Thanks for your thoughts.


I have never ever played in a bigband trumpet section where all guys played the same horn. Period. I think the essential blending consists of what you mention: precision, articulation and style. In my opinion the number one priority is to have the section play as one; holding each note to its full value; articulate the same way - meaning accentuate, look out for tenutos or the reverse, be sure to nail the beat properly, not a fraction of a second later (or earlier); styles can differ; I play a lot of swing classics so often shorter more separated tones versus the modern groovier accentuations/syncops. A lot more could be said by professionals.
Different horns with different tonal characteristica - in my view - only contribute to the overall palette. On the other hand sometimes a kind of weighing/balancing might be considered. I´m thinking of the development of horns - particularly evident in the brass bands; "fatter/bigger" heavy end (e.g trombones) perhaps have to be compensated by heavier cornets (in comparison with the thinner/brighter cornets prior to the seventies.
Perhaps also in the big bands???? If someones projects too much this could depend on the player, not the instrument - I mean harsh attacks etc - always the possibility of borderline cases (not in the psychiatric sense, mostly..).
_________________
Cornets:
Getzen Custom Series Schilke 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974)


Last edited by Seymor B Fudd on Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:00 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kehaulani
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 8964
Location: Hawai`i - Texas

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never heard matching used that way, either.

Blending to me means providing the kind of tone that forms a homogenous sound with the rest of the section, as well as matching the articulations, phrasing, etc. of the lead player.

I will add that in most of the big bands I've played, the blending of tone, while important, was not a major concern, not nearly as essential as matching the other characteristics. In the classical ensembles, matching tone color is much more important.

(Due to some overlapping, I think we may have written our responses at the same time, since I responded to the OP and after it posted noticed others had posted in the interim, LOL.)
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Getzen Capri Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cheiden
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 28 Sep 2004
Posts: 8910
Location: Orange County, CA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blending in a section to me never means playing same or similar horns. Nor does it mean using same or similar mouthpieces. It really speaks to players trying to approach the music with the same intention. Sure some extremes in equipment can make blending harder but it really comes down to how the individuals blow and articulate.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nieuwguyski
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 2335
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA

PostPosted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 12:47 am    Post subject: Re: Blending in a section Reply with quote

Oncewasaplayer wrote:
Is it more than simply matching a similar horn sound or does it refer to precision, articulations and style in playing (which all seems like different things)? Thanks for your thoughts.


Well, precision should always be a goal... right?

Following the lead trumpet player and matching what he or she is doing with dynamics, articulations, rhythms, and style is the job of the section player. That said, the job of the lead player is to play consistently, so the section and the band know what to expect.

Volume level is a big deal. I've played in big band sections with trumpet players who observed dynamics... but either consistently too loud or too soft. Don't out-blow the lead player, but make sure your part can be heard. This may sound vague, but I guarantee a decent band will offer feedback (constructive, snide, passive-aggressive, or something else, but if you're paying attention it will be there).

I will offer one observation on the tone thing. I've played in big band sections where the third and/or fourth players were wannabee lead players and simply couldn't play in the low and middle registers with a full sound. If you're playing third or fourth trumpet in a big band, accept that your part comes with low notes and prepare accordingly.
_________________
J. Notso Nieuwguyski
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
plp
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 11 Feb 2003
Posts: 7023
Location: South Alabama

PostPosted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting post, and something I'm having to come to grips with myself.

I play in a rock and roll band, hardly equivalent to big band in the demands normally for blending as a section. However, we now have an arranger who is doing a lot of stuff where we are covering strings, or other parts not normally covered by brass, so we are doing some harmonies that require a true blend, as opposed to just blowing our brains out.

And yes, we are individually micced before you ask.

We have 4 trumpets, one who also doubles on baritone (don't ask, but hey, it works) one trombone, and one tenor sax. We all double on flugel and I also bring a cornet, when we need some more middle and lower toned stuff. So we have a wide variety of tonal ability as needed. Two of the other trumpets are amazing improvisers and soloists, so end up doing a lot with them soloing and the rest underneath doing accompaniment. The trumpets, because there are so many of us, are called on to be more versatile.

The blending and matching thing is exposing itself more to me as we work stuff up, on disparate parts we don't match, but still need the same style, articulation, attacks and releases, to blend. Think the difference in playing a Jimmy Webb chart as opposed to a Chicago chart as opposed to a James Brown or Tower of Power chart, is the best example I can think of.
_________________
Since all other motives—fame, money, power, even honor—are thrown out the window the moment I pick up that instrument..... I play because I love doing it, even when the results are disappointing. In short, I do it to do it.” Wayne Booth
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    trumpetherald.com Forum Index -> Jazz/Commercial All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group