JoeD

I'm playing in the University Orchestra this year after many years playing in wind bands. What will be different? Do I approach the horn differently conceptually? Are there physical differences to the orchestral style of playing that are different from band? The obvious mental difference is transposition, what information should I be armed with for the first rehearsal?

mikeman7

Hi Joe,

IMHO (as everyone says), there's no real difference as far as your actual playing per se. I think the biggest difference will be that the brass section (as you may already know) is much smaller in an orchestra. Typical set up is 2 to 3 tpts., 2 tenor bones, 1 bass, & a tuba. My university wind symphony has a lot more brass than that! So, i think it's possible the only thing you might need to watch for is to not play too loud. Just be in tune with what the director "shows" you. Eyes up! Blending and a good legit tone are still in play from wind band so, good listening. That's all i can think of.

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MrClean

You'll play fewer notes, but every one of them will be scrutinized.

Dale Proctor

You'll play fewer notes, but you'll have longer in between note flurries to get lost and/or worry about the next ones.

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wiseone2

The difference in the music will be the first thing you notice, well, maybe the absence of other trumpet section buddies from band will be the first thing
Make friends with everyone around you........I was lost a lot,getting the right count can sometimes come from unlikely places. The trombones.
The glorious music sometimes will make it difficult to stop enjoying it and play your own part. Mahler does that to me. Always count!
That should get you through the first rehearsal
Wilmer

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rowuk

One big difference is the keys that you play in.
The second is what you need to do to your tone when you fill a part alone - projection is a much bigger issue. Your sound will be come more consistent in the various registers.
I also find the tonguing "softer" in the orchestra than in wind band.
Rhythm is a much bigger issue. The brass has to have a "universal" sense of time that is identical for the whole group.

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Joe DiMonte

Having reviewed the sound professional responses you received,I hope you grab the opportunity in collaborating with the maestro in writing parts of the trumpet chart(s).

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JoeD

First rehearsal was last night, I was expecting a lot of trumpet in C so I was a bit thrown when we started a piece written in F, and then moved to A. I got it figured out but the first runs were rough. Playing loud sure is fun though!

MrClean

Here's another tip, Joe. Have the music down cold before the 1st rehearsal.

cornetguy

my experience is that in band i had to hold back so much i wasn't able to produce sound in a healthy way. i felt like i was having to suck on the horn in orchestra i don't have to do that.

playing in orchestra isn't always about playing loud, listen to the Chicago Symphony they can play very loud, but they can play softer then most other orchestras. i was at a session with tage larson and he was asked about adjustments between st. louis and chicago and he said that he had to play softer softs in chicago.

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