[Dixielandjazz] Re: Dixie trumpet

[Don Ingle]

Mark:

In the order your asked are these questions and my answers.

>How much do you stick to the melody when the whole group is roaring, seems
on my recordings the cornet stays there a lot.

Most of the time as the lead player (corent). Ensemble needs an anchor and
oo manbt bands do mulit solos to the point where nobody kknow what tune you
are playing.

>How do I diplomatically tell the piano to quit doubling the melody, or
should I?

Suggest he try to listen to good comp piano style - listen to Sutton, Owens,
Shroeder, others form the  Condon, Bobcats, other groups. Doulbing the
meloldy does not add, while playing good comp adds and fills the band.

>Does every group fight about keys?

 Nope - they sort that out early on if they are wise. One leader with input
form others but final decision by leader.

>Who or what is the authority, I have David Littlefield's books and thought
they would be trust worthy I also use Band in a box, but the piano player
plays everything in keys that don't agree with the books, or any recordings
I have, Including Hard Hearted Hannah in E. Great key for the horns!

Get the best recordings of the best bands you can find and listen hard to
wjat they do with a tune.
Key is that the lead melody is honored, and the correct changes (chord
structure) is consistant.


>Here's the question that led to me to search out a trad trpt. player:
>Mutes and growling. I can kind of do this but I'm not sure when to do it
and
how much.

Use sparingly.  A little goes a long way. The best thing you can do is get a
good, honest
 sound on your horn and then you don't really have to do anything else. Use
fancy mutes and growls for effect but not too many of them. I have two
mutes, a cup and a straight that I take, ad these are used on charts where
the are written to be played -- eg: Mood Indigo in cups trpt. and trombone,
low register subtone clarinet. Aside from that, I tend to runb for the door
when I see a trumpet player dig out fur to six mutes. Early warning system
saves ears.

>How do you laugh (on the horn of course), I've heard Wynton and Clark Terry
do this but I can't figure it out, Half valve? What?

Don't know, don't do it. Listen to George Rock with Spike Jones, he could do
it -- sort of inhale and exhale on lip buzz both ways rapidly, but I can't
do it. And don't care to do it.

Finally suggestion -- get good recordings and listen, listen, listen. At 40+
you have some listening to make up for by the questions you ask. But it's
good you ask -- the only way to learn.

Good luck, and remeber the melody -- it's your anchor!
Don Ingle - Who is only 73 not 75 as Barbone said.