Anything I should know before my first big band rehearsal

[AkshayB]

My first big band rehearsal is next week and it would be my first time ever playing in a jazz band. Any tips/ things I could practice that would help me 'fit in'?

[JayKosta]

Learn whether the trumpets play while seated or standing - make sure you can read the music!
Rehearsal might not be like a performance, know what to expect at a performance.

If the music has marks / changes written on it, ask about them.

Jay
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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'.

[cheiden]

As they say "the right note at the wrong time is a wrong note". In a big band you have to listen like mad and get into the groove being laid down by the rhythm section. Don't forget to get behind the section leader assuming he's doing what he's supposed to.

Also, don't over blow. Big bands are often notoriously too loud all the time.
When in doubt play less, listen more.
_________________
"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

[Dale Proctor]

Stay laser-focused on reading the music, but listen to what’s going on in the section and match it. If you’re on 3rd or 4th part, don’t be afraid to bring it out a bit, otherwise, no one will hear it.
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

[kehaulani]

. . and don't forget to bring a straight, cup, harmon and wah-wah mutes. Ask if you need a flugelhorn.
_________________
"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

[Denny Schreffler]

[khedger]

You don't say what chair you're playing so I'll just post some general things to do:

- play in tune
- blend with the section
- follow the lead player in terms of style, articulation, etc.
- focus on the written material
- before you start a piece, ask your sectionmates if there's anything special to look out for, changes tot he form that aren't written, known mistakes in the chart, etc, etc.
- this sounds stupid, but it's not....make sure you have a multi-page chart laid out so that you can easily turn pages and play through it
- harass the trombone players whenever you get the chance....

keith

[deleted_user_687c31b]

Relax, and enjoy it. It's your first time. Nobody's gonna expect much from you (if they do, they're morons). Playing in a jazzband is a very nice experience and you should make the most of it. Much luck and let us know how it went.

[kehaulani]

Did the OP say what level band he would be playing in? I've played in situations where, if you didn't fit in the first time, there won't be a second time. So it's situational.

Also, I didn't see it - swing hard!
_________________
"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

[tedthetrumpet]

If there's an open solo marked in your part, check before diving in and playing it!

I sat in with a band once on 'Flight of the Foo Birds', on third or fourth or something. 'Oh, cool, I thought, looking at the part, I've got the solo'. Went for it. Dirty looks allround. Band leader tore a strip off me afterwards: turns out that solo belonged to the guy on second. Never asked back.
_________________
Bach Strad LR 180-43S ML #315618
Selmer Paris 99 'Radial' #51474
Yamaha YTR-634 #014824
Lafleur Flugelhorn #631830

[cheiden]

Good point But any director worth anything will review the roadmap in advance and say who they want taking solos. Alternately, in my favorite band as the solo approached the leader would face the band and point to the player he wants to solo. As the end of that solo approaches the leader would point to the next soloist. It was the duty of the potential soloist to either nod in the affirmative or to make a panicky face with vigorous head shaking if they didn't want a shot. Then there's some sort of hand jive for when to end the soloing and continue down the chart.
_________________
"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

[deleted_user_687c31b]

[Riojazz]

Bring a roll of scotch tape. This is for the multi-page charts mentioned above. Nothing like the scramble to find where to go after a DS if the pages are loose.

Did anyone mention bring a pencil with eraser?
_________________
Matt Finley https://mattfinley.bandcamp.com/releases
Kanstul 1525 flugel with French taper, Shires Bb Destino Med & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Schagerl rotary, Schilke P5-4 picc, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Sanborn GR66MS & Touvron-D.

[Pete]

Rehearsing? Who’s doing that? I play in two big bands and sub in another. I do a lot of theater work. Zero rehearsals/gigs since March.

Pete