Trumpet Section - big band 'cuts'

[poutniksantiago]

Hi all,
anyone has an experience with composing trumpet section in a big band or funky fashion? I am not sure how those trumpets are used in those typical short 'cuts' between the main melody or at the endings. Are those octave notes or fifths? It's usually three or four trumpets and trombones, right? But are they playing unison or octaves apart, like two c4 and two c5? When playing single "three trumpets" from Goliath it sounds weak, so it must be probably doubled and spread like this, I guess. But is that a proper way of doing it?

[trumpoz]

poutniksantiago - There is no 'proper' way of doing it. In jazz (as all music) if it sounds 'good' then it is 'right'

Typical big band trumpet section is 4 trumpets and 4 trombones. Big Band writing is a whole different game - and one I can't explain in a post.

To try and answer your questions - Generally speaking the trumpet/trombone section will be voiced in chords as opposed to octaves when playing fills between a melody line. They are generally voiced in unison/octaves if they are playing a counter melody or sometimes when they are playing the melody (particularly early in the piece). These are far from hard and fast rules - some very general guidelines when starting out. Part of the fattness (and excitement) of the big band sound is the use of block chord voicing and utilising extensions (9th, 11th and 13th) and alterations of those extensions (and sometimes an altered 5th).

There is some great info here on jazz and big band arranging (Northern Sounds Forum).

[poutniksantiago]

Thank you Trumpoz,
that's what I was looking for. I have really enjoyed a soundtrack to deBlob 2 (video game) by John Guscott which is a free download and in several songs there is a nice use of those fills and counter melodies (I love Colour On The Dancefloor) you were speaking of. Even if I am not really sure whether you can call it a "big band" music. It has that touch, for sure. It's really nice and positive music. You should be able to download it here
www.********.com/news/6301134.html

That's why I was wondering how this is done....just to widen my range of knowledge in different genres I am not so familiar with.

[poutniksantiago]

Originally Posted by poutniksantiago

Thank you Trumpoz,
that's what I was looking for. I have really enjoyed a soundtrack to deBlob 2 (video game) by John Guscott which is a free download and in several songs there is a nice use of those fills and counter melodies (I love Colour On The Dancefloor) you were speaking of. Even if I am not really sure whether you can call it a "big band" music. It has that touch, for sure. It's really nice and positive music. You should be able to download it here
www.********.com/news/6301134.html

That's why I was wondering how this is done....just to widen my range of knowledge in different genres I am not so familiar with.

Sorry for the link. This should work better.