Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10202 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:37 am Post subject: Solo Protocol
I don't know about you but I get tired of playing solos as is in standards like In the Mood and April in Paris.
What's the current thinking on ad libbing these and other chesnuts? Are audiences disappointed when they don't hear In the Mood the way Joe Garland played it or April in Paris without the Pop Goes the Weasel riff? _________________ Jim Hatfield
Joined: 28 Dec 2001 Posts: 6437 Location: AVL|NC|USA
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:02 am Post subject:
My opinion is that if you can improvise a solo that is superior to the recorded version then you ought to, since the sound of an outstanding improvised solo will invariably sound better than somebody reading a written out solo that was originally an improvised solo.
However, if you are not a stellar improvisor, I would do my very best to play the written solos as impeccably faithful to the original as possible.
I have played in bands where all the trumpets play those solos in unison, which is a cool effect if the players don't suck.
I have also played in groups that had harmonized versions of those solos for the trumpet section and that is also a cool effect if the players don't suck. _________________ Puttin’ On The Ritz
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:34 am Post subject:
Sort of depends on HOW iconic the solo is, and if its REALLY recognizable. And as stated above, I tend to play the very iconic ones as written unless I think I can improvise something better.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10202 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:40 am Post subject:
My band plays a lot of Glenn Miller tunes and, while Garland's solo on Mood and Hackett's on String are truly iconic I still get weary of them and, remembering Prez's "I try not to be a repeater pencil" I like to play them differently. _________________ Jim Hatfield
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2610 Location: Anacortes, WA
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:59 am Post subject:
Keep in mind that insider info on the solo's may skew perception. I'll bet most of the audience doesn't know the solos and just wants to hear good music. And just for the record, I hate the "Pop Goes the Weasel" inclusion in the solo. But I also hate all the other insertions artists make when playing another song in middle of the solo. It always sounds like they ran out of ideas and played a stock "cute" something. I say play it your way and play it different every time. _________________ Richard
Conn 22B Trumpet
York Eminence Model 4028 Cornet
1903 Conn The Wonder Cornet
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 8964 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:56 am Post subject:
Having played Glenn Miller a BAZILLION times, I can say with my audiences that the are familiar with solos like on "String of Pearls" and are generally more satisfied when it sounds like the original.
However on tunes like "April in Paris", I just think the "sacrosanct" solos on these tunes are more of a thing with musicians and not the audience.
I think, when all else fails just go with the expectations of the audience. It doesn't take a genius to read their reaction. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Joined: 25 May 2013 Posts: 2123 Location: Atlanta GA
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:41 pm Post subject:
I think it depends on the personalities and preferences of the band members and audience, rather than a rule etched in stone somewhere. The band that I play with leaves it to the soloist to decide and are very encouraging and supportive of improvised solos. Our audiences respond well to solos played with style, regardless of whether they are improvised or written out. _________________ Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi
Joined: 24 Dec 2010 Posts: 2192 Location: Venice, CA & Paris, France
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject:
loud and proud! _________________ ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
waiting for Fed-Ex to deliver a $50 trumpet to my door. shipping was prepaid by seller of course!
http://ronmeza.com http://highdefinitionbigband.com
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2410 Location: Maryland
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 4:14 pm Post subject:
jhatpro wrote:
I don't know about you but I get tired of playing solos as is in standards like In the Mood and April in Paris.
What's the current thinking on ad libbing these and other chesnuts? Are audiences disappointed when they don't hear In the Mood the way Joe Garland played it or April in Paris without the Pop Goes the Weasel riff?
Play what you want. Just play it well, and have fun doing it.
Mike _________________ Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns.
Joined: 11 Mar 2012 Posts: 462 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:00 am Post subject:
I usually leave it to the band leader. Some really want those classic solos played, others couldn't care less. But I look at them as our jazz version of "orchestral excerpts". When April in Paris or String of Pearls gets called ..... you better be able to play it ... if needed!! _________________ Van Laar B6
Bach LR19043B
Kanstul 1600
Conn 38B
Van Laar BR3 Flugel
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Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10202 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:55 am Post subject:
Lot of good points in this thread. Jazz is all about creativity but it's always a good idea to read the room - and the leader. _________________ Jim Hatfield
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