Blow The Trumpets

By Franco Piana & Fernando Brusco

This method book intends to introduce young players to playing in a big band trumpet section. We will consider, in gradual progression, the more important rhythmic figures and then take a look at how to approach the questions of pronunciation, interpretation and blending in with the section.

Pre-recorded rhythm tracks will help in practicing the melodies and act as an incentive and stimulus which will allow the player to hear the exercises in a melodic-rhythmic setting both in duets and in a full trumpet section. The first part of the book consists of 10 preliminary exercises in which we will take into consideration basic standard rhythmic figures. With the aid of rhythm tracks and the example of a pre-recorded trumpet, the student will reproduce those rhythmic figures and patterns he or she just heard. It is fundamental to repeat the exercises several times in order to fully grasp the interpretation.

Then we move on to the duets. Here the student will have the support of a full rhythm section and two pre-recorded trumpet parts. After listening carefully, the student can then choose to play the first or the second trumpet part. This method book also encourages the active participation on the part of the teacher who can play along and aid the student in the preparation of the exercises. There are four tracks on the CD for each duet. The first track is for a complete listening of the whole piece. The second track is without the first trumpet part and the third is without the second trumpet part. The final track has no trumpet parts and is to be played together with the teacher or a friend. The first time, the student will play a simple eight bar melody accompanied by the pre-recorded second trumpet and a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums). In the next track, the student will play the second part accompanied by the first trumpet. It is fundamentally important for the student to listen very carefully to the examples in order to fully acquire familiarity with the style of playing, the interpretation and the rhythm of each piece. While listening it is important to carefully follow the dynamic markings above the notes in order to understand their meanings in the interpretation. (There is a table following with the various articulation markings most frequently used in this method book.) This first volume proposes pieces created for developing the numerous rhythmic and melodic possibilities in jazz.

The difficulty of the exercises increases in progression. The musical styles presented go from swing to Latin to funky and bossa nova. The speeds vary from slow to medium to fast. Having carefully studied and absorbed the techniques of this first volume, we recommend you move on to volume II of "Blow the Trumpets" which will take you even further in the interpretation of jazz with more duets and, with increasing difficulty, up to a full trumpet section in a big band setting. (All with pre-recorded rhythm tracks.) 

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