How to do well at 1st chair/lead playing?

[deleted_user_687c31b]

Searching for 'how to play first chair' usually results in all sorts of tips on how to get the position of first chair, but little about what to do once you get it. There are some great guides and tips on how to be a good 2nd chair (which give a little insight on the role of the 1st too), but not much about the expectations of being on 1st chair and how to meet them.

For a good deal of my trumpet career, I've been 'the lead player' by virtue of being either the only trumpet player, or the one that had best chance of someday potentially being able to maybe reach the high notes. Just being able to play the parts used to take most of my focus. However, now that my technique has advanced I'd like to improve more on the musical/social aspects of playing lead in an ensemble.

Does anyone have any advice they'd like to share?

[Brassnose]

I can relate to that, became 1st trumpet in our community orchestra simply because I could read music better than some others and because I had practiced a lot of the stuff that I could not do when I was younger. Also, I am much less nervous than I used to be before gigs - I presume this is from the fact that my day job trained me pretty well for being the one in charge.

Having said that, as the first chair, there are three things that I mostly do:

1. make sure the „section“, including some low brass and the drummer, who is just behind me on stage, knows where we are.

2. (try to) enforce the dynamics, indicate the use of mutes at the right places, decide who plays which parts if we’re reducing, make sure people don’t miss upcoming codas or D.S.s, attempt to keep the section in tune and time, keep an eye contact with the director.

3. shush the whole orchestra, because as soon as we stop playing almost everyone starts chatting - at least during rehearsals.
_________________
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

[Vin DiBona]

I am certain there will be other knowledgeable posts to follow, but this what I was taught and what I learned from being "first chair" in bands and orchestras and being a section member as well.

1. Have the chops to do the job.
2. Lead your section wisely. Don't be a jerk. Help them when necessary, but never chastise a player. That is the conductor's job.
3. Play in tune with the band/orchestra.
4. Know the music and play in the correct style it asks for.
5. Stay out of the other sections' business. Each section has its leaders and they will handle it. That is not your job.
6. Understand you are making music with a group. Unless you are soloing, don't be a show off up there.
7. A leader knows when to lead, follow, or get out of the way.
8. Be ready for anything.
9. Even if the conductor is lousy, unless the performance is coming off the tracks, try to follow. If you know what is happening, try to correct what you can.
10. Have the right frame of mind. A distracted mind is a dangerous thing.
11. Have the proper equipment.
12. Be prepared.
13. Enjoy what you are doing!

R. Tomasek

[kehaulani]

Listen very discriminately to other great players for their musicality, articulations, phrasing, etc.
_________________
"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

[PH]

This Bobby Shew article is the best thing I've seen.

https://www.bobbyshew.com/main_prnt.html?pgid=7&art_artcl_id=10&art_tpc_id=8
_________________
Bach trumpet artist-clinician
Clinical Professor of Jazz Trumpet, University of Illinois
Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Faculty Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops 1976-2019
JazzRetreats.com

[Brassnose]

I like point No. 10 in the list above best: concentrate. That’s what a lot of making music is all about. While enjoying making music still being able to concentrate and deliver.
_________________
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

[Jon Arnold]

[kehaulani]

[Billy B]

COPY COPY COPY

If you are playing a Basie tune sit down with your part and the Basie recording and copy what the lead player does EXACTLY.

Mark on your part whatever you can't remember. Phrasing, dynamics, etc.
_________________
Bill Bergren

[wohlrab]

There's a lot to think about but I've always felt that it starts with locking in on the high hat in the drums for time, and the bass for intonation.

[Billy B]

[Brad361]

[kehaulani]

Not about lead playing but Bobby's comments as they related to being a member of the section - he gave me a whole new pride.

I've played lead Alto Sax plenty of times so, when playing section trumpet, often carried with me an in-charge mentality. But that sometimes transferred, no matter how subtly, into my feeling that ~I~ know how the lead part should really be played. Bobby's word gave me a real pride and satisfaction in being a section player.

I should note that I have played lead and first trumpet, or "only trumpet" in pop/soul bands, but that's not the same as being a large-ensemble section player.
_________________
"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

[gwood66]

The only thing I can add to what already been said is maybe check out Jim Maxwell's book The First Trumpeter. It has information that I have found useful.
_________________
Gary Wood (comeback player with no street cred)

GR 66M/66MS/66**
Bach Strad 37
Getzen 3052
Yamaha 6345

[blbaumgarn]

There is sage wisdom from this group of players put forth here. The one thing that one of my teachers added to me during a lesson once was, "try to be the most humble member of your section."
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush

[deleted_user_687c31b]

Wow, that’s some great responses! Thanks! It’s much appreaciated.

Most of the posts are from a band perspective…is there a difference between playing 1st in an orchestra as opposed to in a band?

[Vin DiBona]

In a community band, depending on how many are in the section, you usually have more than one on a part. Band music can have as many as 5 separate parts.
In an orchestra, one on a part is the norm, but there can be times there is doubling. Basically, there are no more than 4 trumpets in the section. Of course, there are exceptions.
Many famous works have just two parts. As one gets into the late 19th century and early 20th century, you will find more than just two parts.
Go on Youtube and look for the music with the scores following the music.
Here is an example of Mahler writing for 6 trumpets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oep5Rude4mQ&t=1391s
R. Tomasek

[Seymor B Fudd]

[Rod Haney]

My band director who played sax in some 60’s name bands told me that the lead player lead and played on top of the band. That meant he had to have rhythm, intonation, play the style, and set the swing. I was taught to listen to the song if it was recorded and play like the guy on the record. I was taught that the band would play only as well as I did. Our high school band made 2 LPs and sold thousands of each (band boosters probably). I also knew and had played with a Kenton lead player when I was very young and he was in from school and he gave me a good idea of the sound required to play above. Listen to a good lead players in good bands live and copy. Oh, and you can’t be afraid of anything even bad notes.

That’s what I was taught, take it with a grain of salt as I never followed thru.

Rod

[deleted_user_687c31b]

There’s certainly a lot for me to work with and improve on. I am and likely will always be an amateur player, but if I’m gonna be doing this, I want to get it right…or at least as little ‘wrong’ as possible. Thank you all for your input, it’s really appreciated.