jazz big band trumpet placing.

[fredo]

Hi all,

Excuse me if this subject has already be debated, if i put it in the wrong forum, and my average English ...

In a Jazz big band what is the best way to place the trumpet players ?.

For example, where do you place the first, second etc...

I play in a Amateur Jazz Big Band and has to explain that to my buddies.

TKS

Fred
_________________
Frederic FELTZ
Yamaha XENO 2 8335 S
Lotus 3L brass

[JayKosta]

I've typically seen trumpets in the last row of a jazz/stage band. Sometimes they play standing.

In my amateur 'concert bands', I play seated.
And in one that has a director who is short (difficult to see), I use a 24 inch high stool (about 65cm) instead of a chair - That way I can see the director and the music better.

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[ayryq]

All the bands I've been in have been:
2nd (solo) player on the right, nearest the rhythm section
1st (lead) next to 2nd, directly behind 1st trombone and 1st alto
3rd to left hand of lead
4th on far left.

If five players, we usually divide equally so 1st stays in the middle: 2nd and 3rd on his right, 4th and 5th on his left. (Note: in this case parts don't always correspond to players; sometimes "2nd chair" plays 5th part and the rest are moved down one. We don't switch spots typically)
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Yamaha Neo cornet

[fredo]

Thanks guys !
particularly ayryq

That was that precise placing i want you to confirm (my best friend, pro player said me that also, and i will ask to the section to do that)

All the best
_________________
Frederic FELTZ
Yamaha XENO 2 8335 S
Lotus 3L brass

[THE BD]

Absolutely the best placement with the leads in the middle, also lining up bass bone/bari sax.

I was asked to sub once in a band that set up 1-5 from left to right. I haven't returned any subsequent calls to sub.
_________________
Martin D Williams

Yeah, I did that!

[Don Herman rev2]

I've always used the same layout as ayryq in the big bands I've played (amateur and pro).

FWIWFM - Don
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[kehaulani]

For four, the same (2nd on left, etc.

But for five, I still put the improvisor (2nd) next to the rhythm, so it would be, facing left to right, 2nd, 3nd, 1st, 4th, 5th.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[fredo]

Thanks all.
_________________
Frederic FELTZ
Yamaha XENO 2 8335 S
Lotus 3L brass

[Chris#]

In most big bands I played the trumpet section was set up

3 - 2 - 1 - 4 (- rhythm)

Pros:

1) The lead trumpet is in the center of the section (there are 2 center positions) and in the center of the band

2) Solos are often in the 4th book making the 4th the primary jazz chair, and that should be close to the rhythm section.

3) When lead player wants to shuffle parts, I’d give the lead book to the 2nd so that I am switching to 2nd then. Playing 3rd or 4th for a ballad or so would and then going back to lead messes up my chops. And: 2nd is still in the center of the section and we do not have to change positions.

4) To my understanding the primary role of the 2nd is to support the lead. The second should be well heard by all section members and be in the center.

For 5 trumpets it would be:

3 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 5

Lead in the center!

Obviously it depends on the music. In older big band charts solos may be in the 2nd more often than in the 4th.

Check out Maria Schneider, Vanguard, Lincoln set up their trumpet section.

[Don Herman rev2]

I've never played a band with that arrangement but then again trumpet playing is not my day job.

The 2nd part is normally the solo part and that is the main reason for keeping that player positioned near the rhythm section. Needs to stay in the groove whilst soloing. The 4th part is pretty eclectic but IME, at least with standards, is rarely if ever the solo part. There's a funny YouTube someplace on the 4th player.

The 5th part is more likely IME to have solos but again my experience is limited to a decade or so of itinerant playing in mostly amateur big bands (though the pro bands had the same arrangement). One severe wake-up call was when I was asked to sit in a band I had typically dep'd lead and play 5th. I thought it'd be a nice break and I could just relax for a couple of hours. Turns out they were doing several Maynard tunes and his part was in the 5th folder...
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"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[ayryq]

Another thing, I've played 3rd a lot and find a lot of octave doubling with lead - our lead player likes hearing a strong octave in his left ear.
_________________
Yamaha YTR6345HGS Bb
Bach "Philly" C
Bach 239 Eb/D
DEG Signature 2000 Bb/A picc
Yamaha YTR-9835 Bb/A picc
Yamaha Bobby Shew flugel
Yamaha Neo cornet

[bebop]

The 2nd chair plays all of the solos except for a few written out for the lead player. I have hardly ever seen the 4th chair play any solos.

[mm55]

[kehaulani]