my son got 4th trumpet player in his jazz band what does that mean?

Answer 1

That means he is the 4th best trumpet player on the line. It's also called 4th chair.

Answer 2

Some of the answers I'm seeing are thinking of this in terms of concert band. In jazz band there are only four, every once in awhile five, trumpet parts. This absolutely does NOT mean your son is the worst of the four. A lot of times the only difference is the notes will be lower. First part has the highest part usually, and trumpet 2 usually gets the solos. But in jazz band, each of the four trumpet parts is important, and unlike concert band, where you have two or three trumpet parts with several people playing the part, it's only one on a part in jazz band. Now I don't know how your son's band works, whether there were auditions and a lot of people didn't make it or not, but there's nothing bad about playing fourth part in jazz band.

Answer 3

Trumpet In Jazz

Answer 4

some really poor answers are here and some that are reasonably close.

In a good band - there is no "best player" there are just players. A jazz band trumpet section has 4-5 players in it. (as do the bone and sex sections)

Part I is higher than the others - it requires a player who can play very high. Part IV-V are lower than the others - they require players who can play low. It's really that simple.

Part II is often a mid-range melodic soloist and all-around player. Part III is an all around player.

At any time a player thinks they're "better" because they play part I - that player hasn't learned yet what the music is about. Unfortunately, that's the state of most musicians who are still in school - they put way too much weight on seat-wars and not enough time learning to play well as a group. What you end up with is a trumpet I player who thinks it's the Joe Smith trumpet concert with Jazz Band accompaniment and because Joe is so "great" (in his own assessment), the band stinks for it.

That player will never make it past his first year of college music - let alone professional work because he doesn't understand that "it's a band - it's not about you".

When all things are equal, I generally seat players with the best player on II or III and the player who can play high on part I. Anyone any good can play trumpet I, it takes skill and talent to blend in parts II and III. I seat IV and V as low chops players. They can play the low notes in tune and with enough power to balance to the high playing Trumpet I. Very often, this will be a french horn or mellophone doubler as well. I want trumpet II to have a sweet and melodic sound for solo work - that's all that matters in that seat.

I expect all five to be able to blend as a section - if any one of them can't, we have no need for them in the section. If you want to get released from a pro gig (and many colleges) - tell someone that you're better than they are. Unless your name is Wynton Marsallis, someone plays a lot better than you do.

All of that said, there are no unimportant parts in any ensemble. Take out trumpet III, trombone III, Tenor II, and Bass and see what your band sounds like. Or, try having trumpet I, trombone I, alto I all play as loud as they can while the rest of the band plays in balance. Nope, it's not all about the 1st part, that's just the melody. If I want to hear solo trumpet we'll put one up on stage with a piano player.

Flame me 1st part sitters - but I've been in this game making a living for almost 30 years. When you're good and in a good band, it's all about balance and "the band" and never about "who's on first".

Answer 5

because its a jazz band there are typically 4-5 trumpets. that means your son will have last chair of the band. that does not mean he is not better but several factors can give other trumpet players the edge in jazz. for one range. for example our lead trumpet player cannot play music to save his life but he can go higher on his instrument than any other person in almost the entire state. the fact that he's in the jazz program is a great accomplishment and you should be proud. go to all his concerts and support him whether he's first or 33rd.

Answer 6

I hhate to break it to you, but in a jazz band there are four trumpet parts. So he is four out of four. This could be good though. 1st trumpet usually goes to the trumpet player who can play the highest with out losing their chops. 2nd usually goes t the best soloist. Maybe his band director wanted him on 4th because he wanted a strong player on the bottom. Or maybe, he's the worst trumpet player in the jazz band. Who knows?

Answer 7

4th wow!!! he must he either a beginner or really bad although it kind of depends on how old he is and if it is in a piece of music the older he is the worse! if it is 4th trumpet as in arrangement then he is probaly ok depending on how many trumpets there are the the more trumpet players the better he is in 4th place unless there are only 3 people!LOL! sorry no seriously it all depends your going to need to describe it a little more brcause like i said it all depends. i play clarinet in the marching band @cshs, Va and i usually have part 2 or three out of 7 clarinetists, varies!

Answer 8

son 4th trumpet player jazz band

Answer 9

Basically he is the 4th best trumpet player in the band.

Answer 10

Some might say to put in a root celler, while others might say to use the band room at school either 1 hour before school, or 1 hour after... I would say let him decide where he gets the most comments of the kind he is looking for, he seems like he has a good mind. He can make a room more sound proof by hanging blankets a few inches from the walls. They even have an electric horn now, though I believe he has yet to go into mass production. ME! PS to the Big Mr. D, Jazz & R+B are where its at!!!!!!!!! .