Bill Reichenbach - Take the 'A' Train (Horn of Plenty) [Bass Trombone Transcription]

[@Niamhmusicmusic]

It's so hard to solo in that register

[@bush_boi_bass_bone]

This brings up an interesting point. When playing a bass trombone with dependent valves, like Bill on his Elkhart 62H, you are limited in your ability to use alternates. This streamlines the formation of bebop vocabulary in that lower register. As an independent valve improviser, I run into the issue of fumbling with the valves while soloing. A dependent horn would be nice for this reason. Nevertheless, Bill is definitely of master of that register, and was even at 30 years old. I still prefer the advantages of the independent arrangement. Check out my Chris Glassman transcription to hear independent valves in action.

[@robwest36]

Bills beautiful.

[@gabeeedayyy2577]

This solo is legendary. Amazing work with the transcription!

[@bush_boi_bass_bone]

Thanks! Currently doing a jazz trombone quintet arrangement with this transcription turned into a soli/ensemble section. I’ll post a recording and maybe the music once we play it.

[@danhoenigman2757]

I play bass bone. I love bass bone! But I bass bone improvised jazz. Solos just don’t make it for me. Playing lead lines yes (ala GR). But improvising below the staff, although technically impressive, is just muddy and ponderous.

[@bush_boi_bass_bone]

It is a fairly new thing so it can be difficult to get used to. However, I don't understand why playing a melody in the low register is okay but improvising down there is not. Improvising is just creating one's own melody. Bill Reichenbach's ability to hang with real, hip bebop language at this tempo is something so far beyond most bass trombonists' scope of experience that it is clear why many dismiss it. The legend George Roberts is very easy to digest and laid the foundation for jazz bass trombone, but the man wasn't an improviser. Because he has been elevated to god status by the bass trombone community, being unable to improvise/read changes/play at a jam/know tunes is considered standard and acceptable. This is exactly why I'm posting bass trombone solo transcriptions. Expect to hear more Bill Reichenbach, as well as artists like Reginald Chapman, Max Seigel, Mattis Cederberg, and others! Thanks for the comment.