Trumpet guy

I'm assuming this means stuff like musicals and the like

So what are the requirements to play this genre of music well?
How is it different from playing in concert band or orchestra?

I'm thinking of trying out for the pit of my school's musical next year and I want to know what type of difficulties to work over in this type of music in general.

Schwab

I was holding off on this as there are much more experienced people on the board than I, but here is what I think.

To play the genre well, you have to be a well rounded player. You have to be very comfortable with all styles equally, from sounding like you play in a pop horn section to an orchestral sound.

You need to be able to play the entire range of the instrument, from low F# to high G with a good sound, and have all types of articulations at your disposal. I guess the difficulties you will encounter are being prepared to play anything!

wilcox96

??????????

Uh...from the resident king of the "musical" road?? Don't believe it, folks... ha. Captain "Modest" knows what he is talking about...

Now, from perhaps the "Court Jester" of such things... .... (me)
Many musicals have such a variety of styles..that one really needs to be a bit of a chameleon. Mental focus is a good attribute, because there are just so many things going on at any given time in a show. From phrasing with singers to fluctuations in the music to time with scene changes, to keeping up with dancers...all must ebb and flow together. A player has to be conscious of all that is going on..and be ready to adjust.
Mute work in many shows is extensive and can be an art in juggling in and of itself. This requires that mental focus also.

Now...the term "commercial"...(to me)...applies to more than just musicals. Pop stuff, R&B, some jazz...there are lots of genres that can be classified as "commercial".

More than likely, the musical your school chooses will probably be within the HS playability level and will use a version of the show that matches. I hope you "do" try out and have fun with it. If you have any other questions...ask Dylan. hahahaa.

Schwab

Thanks Brad. Yeah, ask me or Brad or Tony or Ray or James or Wilmer or Lemons or etc etc etc!

stchasking

I have helped a high school produce two musicals. The music was exactly what is played on Broadway. There is no such thing as a watered down version for high schools. My cousin is a Senior in high school and he played the lead part for "Lion King." It was not a watered down version.

If you are in high school the biggest factor is what the acoustic of your auditorium is and how well the singers can project and the microphones can pick them up. Your profile says you are 16.

Tell us which musical you will be playing. More than likely you will be too loud. You will be told to play down an octave and play softer if it is high school. If you are at a performing arts school you will probably play as written since performing arts schools have pretty good resources. I had nothing higher than a D above high C.

Get back to us with the name of the musical. Advice will follow.
Play the musical no matter what it is. Step up to the plate and get the job done.
You may get rehearsal tracks on CD but they are limited to the singing parts.

I am old and an enthusiast player. I am not a professional. I played the gig because the kids asked me too and the director asked me back for the second. Git 'er done.

Ray Vega

Dylan----You hit the nail right on the head!
NUFF SAID!
PeaceRV

Ray Vega

Dylan----You hit the nail right on the head!
NUFF SAID!
PeaceRV

Vulgano Brother

All of the above!

One of the fun things about musicals is that the 1st (or lead) trumpet is in control. If singers and/or the strings get lost (it does happen--under-rehearsed obscure opperettas are famous for this!) you can pull the whole show back together and save the day.

On the other hand, should you space out and start off a number in cut time when it should be in four, everyone will follow you too. I, uhh, had to endure a conductor who started holding up four fingers and looking me in the eye before starting one particular tune after that happened to me. We both smiled though, and it was worth it just to see the look of panic on the string player's faces the one time we played it in two.

Have fun--it will be a great experience!

Trumpet guy

Well, the decision hasn't been made yet as the spring musical was just finished. I might know what the next fall musical is by August or September, since that's when school starts.

wilcox96

I suppose I should clarify what I meant by "what version" your school might do. While you are correct (no "watered down" versions) there "are" revival versions of "some" older shows that are very different than the original. Some of those can be a bit more demanding. However, if a school is doing a more traditional show, chances are they might just do the original. (Guys and Dolls is an example. One of the revivals had some tougher/higher stuff for the lead trumpet on a few numbers...than the original version).

Still, other shows will be as they were on the big stage. You do West Side Story...you'll get it. etc...

Hey..this is fun stuff... hope you have a ball.