hiveharbinger

I'm a senior high school student playing lead in a big-band setting. As a group, we play gigs outside of school ranging from 30min sets to full 4 hour evenings.

What I need help with is the longer gigs; We play 3 1-hour long sets with about 15-20 min breaks. I'm looking to maintain as much clarity and range throughout the night, as I'm losing both by generally the third set.

I play on a Yamaha Shew Lead, which is a round-rim, shallow C cup MP, and generally play 2 1/2 to 5 hours a day, every day.

I've looked into playing pedal tones instead of just resting between sets, but have yet to try it out during a gig.

Is there any practice tips or tricks I can look into to maintain the upper Register (double C+) and my tonal clarity?

thanks.

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Yamaha 4335G,

Yamaha Shew Lead
Yamaha 11B4

TrumpetLucian

My first suggestion is to look into James Stamp and his teachings with your trumpet teacher. Wayne Bergeron, Malcolm McNab, Chris Tedesco, the list goes on of GREAT trumpet players in all mediums who "go with" Stamp's teachings. These flow studies and way of approaching the trumpet will definitely aide in endurance for you.

Water is very important, I carry around a "nalgene" (sp?) with me all day, making sure I keep the fluids going. Avoid excess soda or coffee, or anything that will dehydrate you.

Even if its for just 1 or 2 counts, take your horn off your face. Gentle lip flaps (quietly) during a gig will get you far!! Also, taking ibprofuen twenty minutes before playing will help. I did that all this summer playing upper lead in drum corps, and it helps a lot.

And the last thing, that is cliche, but is important to focus on, is breath support. Start at the beginning of the gig and remind yourself your efficient playing and strong breath support will carry you further in the gig. Pacing yourself will help your first and last note sound just a beautiful!

P

nieuwguyski

Why in the world would you need double C+ range on a big-band dance gig? Are you sure you don't mean "high C" -- two ledger lines above the staff?

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John N. Nieuwguyski

rettepnoj

Great tips TrumpetLucian I will just add one thing: If you have a lot of unison parts, don't play, save your chops as much as you can!

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Jon Petter Lindberg

Selmer Concept TT
Bach Strad. 197 NY, nr 203
Schilke S32
Yamaha YTR 6310Z
Yamaha YTR 01
Conn Constelation

GR and Schilke mouthpieces

Al Innella

The key to endurance on these kind of gigs is learning how to pace yourself, use as little pressure as possible , hold back a little on the volume, think centered and projecting ,not louder, if you can, lay out on unison's, if you can't, then play them softly, the entire section should be playing unison's softly anyway , in between sets ,just rest and flap your lips until they feel loose, if you can share some of the lead parts do it, don't try to be a hero.

Fluffy615

Everyone has given you great advice. I would add just a couple of things to them. First, can you pass off some of the lead parts to someone else? Maybe some of the easier ones. If you can lay out on a tune that's even better. Definitely lay out of the unison sections in the songs. These are common things, no shame in them. Don't let that lead player ego get in the way. We all have it to some degree. LOL
Check out lip bending with your teacher. It's made my chops bounce back after some tough playing. And it's helped them function better.
It's great that your high school jazz band is good enough to play some gigs, and that the opportunity is there for you. It's some great experience. I hope this helps a little. Good luck.
Bob

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Live Long and Prosper

The black is the notes, the white is the page.....play the black!!

kcmt01

My first suggestion would be to give someone else a solo once in a while.

rettepnoj

A lead trumpeter shouldn't play solos! And he should not give away the lead part to someone else! It's importent for the band, to know the playing styles of the lead player!
Phrasing, attacks, endings etc....

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Jon Petter Lindberg

Selmer Concept TT
Bach Strad. 197 NY, nr 203
Schilke S32
Yamaha YTR 6310Z
Yamaha YTR 01
Conn Constelation

GR and Schilke mouthpieces

Al Innella

This isn't true I've played pro charts that had solos in the lead part, while it did not happen too often, it does sometimes happen. Even pro bands share the lead parts, Basie,s book didn't have numbers it had the players names on them, their parts where written for their strengths ,so depending on the style of the arrangement ,the lead part could be in anyone,s folder or ,sometimes certain passages of lead might be given to different players in the section ,in the same arrangement. Most pro bands have someone to relieve the lead player if or when he tires, even Bill Chase had Gerry Lamey [sorry not sure of the spelling] when he needed him in Woody,s band.

tedh1951

A similar problem in our stage band was rather simply addressed by taking each of the sets, and with input from the band director, reassembling the program into a lip friendly order.

In the end it altered some of the BD's concepts of what wastes a trumpeter's endurance (particularly we non-professionals). Our BD is a very talented sax player who had many misconceptions about what was difficult for a trumpeter with a tired face. Simply providing space for imposing middle range scores, rather than 'the screamers' in an "easy to play" sequence, while also providing his desired pizzaz, made a great difference in our enjoyment and capacity to meet the needs of the gig.

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Ted