How to write for trumpet - Big Band Arranging SECRETS REVEALED

[@Bigandrewm]

As many "break the rules" arrangers goes, I've had some success writing for trumpets below the staff. It generally involves trumpet as a section without lots of rhythm banging/deep chord toning/etc. to highlight that texture. It's a cool sound. Use with temperance.

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Of course. It’s one of those textures that only works if you really know what you are doing. That said, trumpets can sound beautiful on the low range… they just won’t cut through much orchestration.

[@martinwalters2264]

Yes! And also charts with a lot of F concert on top of the staff (I find it needs to be lipped down) are quite tiring.

[@christiangarcia655]

Huge tip: if you take the time to learn our overtone series (lip slurs), it'll greatly improve your understanding of the efficiency/difficulty of the horn. At a fast tempo, a Bb (concert) arpeggio is immensely more difficult to play than a B or A arpeggio since every note in a Bb arpeggio is the same fingering- unlike the other arpeggios :) a fear of mine is seeing a chart that was composed by a sax main😭 they love our worst arpeggios

[@christiangarcia655]

Also, I'm very glad I found this page! I've been writing for a few years now and you've helped me for what I write for my funk/soul band w 5 horns! Love the content 🏆

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

That is a good tip for the advanced arranger. An easier solution is to avoid writing arpeggios in the brass parts!

[@Erschophone]

@@PandemoniumBigBand Very interesting, this subject - I've never heard of/seen it before…

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

@@Erschophone Essentially, due to the physics of trumpet (and all brass instruments), certain intervals are more difficult to play than others. Most brass musicians practice lip slurs in their daily routine in order to deal with this instrument-design shortcoming. But as a rule, I try to avoid arpeggiatic melodies in brass parts... especially at fast tempos.

[@markmetzler9108]

Thanks for this input. As a novice arranger (and someone without a formal music education) these kinds of tidbits of information are quite welcome. Now, if I could only easily recognize a chord after I write one, that could also make a big difference. Oh well, back to my day job.

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TRUMPETSIZZLE]

Good

[@balcomoz]

Buddy Rich had different idea for trumpets haha! I like yours more.

[@peterkeys88]

i have surely inadvertantly punished many trumpet players in my show arr's. Sorry, hah, and thanks for the lesson!

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

My pleasure. If you ever want to go over some of your charts, shoot me an email.

[@briancooper4620]

I barely remember playing Cornet way back when, as a youngster, and thinking how boring. Everything we played was toot, toot, rest, rest, rest, rest, rest, toot, toot, toot, rest, rest, rest, rest, rest, rest. When you have that much down time, a lot of ADHD, high memorization skills, and a decent ability keep time; you end up with a recipe for pranks and disruption. That's why I'm not a band member anymore. But, it's nice to know that there was a reason for the excessive rests.

[@Erschophone]

I give this speech every year in my first level arranging class. Fortunately this year my presentation will be even better thanks to your video! Great job! I'm looking forward to watching your other videos !

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Glad I can help! Where do you teach?

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

@@Erschophone I am not currently on a faculty (though I have been in the past). I write commissions, perform, and teach lessons... and produce KZbin videos.

[@jackyerkess8436]

How to line up a big band video? For rehearsals and gigs etc??

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Do you mean this: a video explaining how to organize a band?

[@Erschophone]

Was there a reason that in your video you didn't cover the intonation problems on "B" and "C" (C#/D transposed) in the lower register ? that's normally a basic discussion when learning about how to write for the TPT. Not enough time? Or in your opinion, just not at all as important as range and endurance ?

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

I am not sure what you are referring to. I was just presenting the strategies that I personally think about.

[@bond-suits]

Fantastic video! Are rests less important for trombones and saxes than they are for trumpets? As someone who plays piano, violin, drums and percussion, I've never had to breathe into my instruments!

[@glennmartin974]

I totally agree on all that you say on this video. One has to write around the ability level of the group that one is arranging or composing for. If I get a commission to write a piece, the first thing that I ask for is the top consistent playing ranges of the brass players, along with the general technical ability of the group. When I was a high school director, I arranged every piece my marching bands played. Same for my jazz bands. If I had a good lead trumpet, I would write parts for him that he could handle, and keep the rest of the trumpets in the middle range. Same for trombones. We would often make superior ratings or win contests over bands that actually had overall, better players . . . because I kept the players on parts that they could handle. Challenging parts for the better players and easy parts for the weaker players . . .where they could be musical and contribute to the overall sound of the band. Heh . . I even rewrote music that we played for concert festival ;)

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

It sounds like your students were VERY lucky to have you as their band director.

[@glennmartin974]

@@PandemoniumBigBand Thanks!

[@arataka57]

I always wondered about why trpts needed so much rest. Sounds like a tired instrument 😁I know..,I know....

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Playing trumpet is incredibly exhausting. It's nuts.

[@caseydoremus5324]

Thank you for the video, I write music for a non professional group of musicians. I try to give my brass players lots of breaks. But seeing an ideal lead trumpet part was really helpful thank you.

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

You are very welcome. I’m glad to help!

[@Bigandrewm]

Endurance!! I've also had the same gripe over trombone parts. There are some Christmas medleys (ahem) that just don't give 'bones any break, and they are torture. And -- these are supposed to be middle school/high school level capability charts, and I'm a seasoned pro with reasonably good endurance and I struggle to get through them when I sub with local bands who throw in an "easy" medley!!! Argh!

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

You get it!

[@gillesnoesen3668]

These videos are excellent! At least now i can write in a way that the trumpet players do not hate me forever! Thanks Elliot

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

That is the goal.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Have subbed!

[@JuanIgnacioIsgro]

Me mata la risa a cada rato 😂

[@arthurfunk3104]

If it's important to give the 1st trumpet a lot of rest, is it proper to let the 2nd trumpet take over sometimes?

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

It is important to give all of the trumpets lots of rest. Trumpet, in any register, is very taxing on the player's endurance. The problem is just amplified in the upper register.... That stuff aside, yes, 2nd trumpet can occasionally take over lead. The musical phrases where a lower trumpet plays lead should be marked with "lead."

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks Elliot! Always fun and educational to hear your thoughts on sensible writing. :)

[@PandemoniumBigBand]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johannakoopmans5803]

Enjoyed it. Thanks!