Tromba1030

I am going to be playing Symphonic Dances from West Side Story with the National High School Honors Orchestra in February and I was sent both the first and second parts. I had a question however. There is a small section where the first trumpet part(Bb) goes into D trumpet, is this acceptable to play on Picc in A? There are a lot of other very high parts and I was wondering if it was commonly accepted that one could break out their piccolo trumpet or do I need to turn into Wayne Bergeron by february? I am going to work on it on my C trumpet and try to avoid using picc as I am sure that is the sound that Bernstein wanted but I think I will definitely bring my picc along. Has anyone played this piece? Any pointers?

Jacob

Jimi Michiel

Jacob,

You need to turn into Wilmer Wise, not Wayne Bergeron

Get the original recording with Bernstein and listen to it as much as possible. There is also a good recording of Minnesota doing it (I'm not sure who the lead trumpet player is on it, probably Manny) Also, check out the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra's take on that section (they were in Boston a few weeks ago. Did you go? I heard they were amazing)

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I would really recommend not using your picc on this... You'll never get the sound on a P5-4. I like it on C trumpet, although you could try D or B-flat. You want a "big horn" sound on this. Don't be afraid to use a shallower mouthpiece, even a lead mouthpiece on your C or D trumpet. You're lucky to be playing this piece, good luck and have fun! (And say hello to Boston for me!)

-Jimi[/size]

Schwab

I agree with Jimi, don't play this on pic. Both the first and second parts are basically lead trumpet parts, they would sound good on Bb or C. Imagine going to hear a big band play and the lead player used a D trumpet or pic. Same type of thing.

Vulgano Brother

The smallest possible horn to consider might be an Eb. Bernstein, according to Gunther Schuller, wrote music that was "ricky-ticky" rather than swung, so you might want to guard against getting too wild as well. Fun to play, though, and congratulations!

trombapaul

I still believe Bernstein simply didn't like using lots of ledger
lines. Given that he was writing a "symphonic" piece, he knew
symphonic players who are fairly competent at transposing
would be reading the parts. That D trumpet section is a rippin'
salsa solo that should ONLY (IMHO) be done on a Bb so as to
get the absolute correct sound. Just my $0.02.

Paul

wiseone2

I played the solo in the "Mambo" section on a Bach large bore Bb. The D trumpet was William Vacchiano's horn of choice for much of his relationship with Lenny. The trumpet solo is written for D trumpet in the "Symphonic Dances," it is also in D trumpet for the Broadway show "Jerome Robbins Broadway."
Wilmer

cornetguy

and in the original show too. i did it on d-trumpet but i have a large bore d. but i have heard it done on Bb and C both and it works i wouldn't go smaller for the reasons already said.

bulldog

Congratulations on your achievement.

I played with that group when I was much younger. We had some real monsters playing. Ben Wright played first trumpet and Jim Markey was first trombone. I have vivid memories of that trip and concert to this day. Cherish the experience, and nail your part.

rowuk

The D just has something brilliant about it - like the end of Ravels Bolero too.
I would not worry about using a picc, it may not be 100% stylistically correct, or even my choice, but if you are comfortable AND can balance the orchestra with it, only the trumpet playing geeks will know!

The experience of breathing flames on a good D-trumpet is very invigorating experience however.

Last time that I played it, I used the Bb for the whole thing as one of my students needed my D-trumpet more.

Schwab

Listen to the soundtracks, listen to Uan Rasey and Wilmer playing WSS, it doesn't sound like an orchestral section playing the piece.

Playing the piece in the correct style is pretty important. Most recordings of the Symphonic Dances sound wrong because they are using small horns and/or aren't comfortable with playing a commercial style.

I'd play the entire piece on Bb.