Authentic Sounds of the Big Band Era: 2nd Trumpet Book

You'll feel the pulse of 1930s and 1940s swing throughout these arrangements. The second trumpet part balances between supportive harmony and moments of genuine melodic spotlight, offering the satisfaction of contributing to the band's sound while occasionally stepping into the light.

Second trumpet players in high school and college jazz ensembles who want to build reading fluency and harmonic awareness through authentic big band literature. This book works equally well for jazz band directors building a foundational repertoire list and for musicians preparing for jazz combo or section auditions.

• Anchor the middle of the brass section by listening carefully to the first trumpet's lead while maintaining your own harmonic integrity; avoid doubling the melody when your part diverges.
• Balance articulation with the rest of the trumpet section by marking phrase beginnings and endings in pencil before rehearsal, then matching weight and style with your section mates.
• Practice the syncopated rhythms in pieces like "One O'Clock Jump" and "Sing, Sing, Sing" slowly at first, subdividing quarter notes to lock the swing feel without rushing.

Build a full big band concert around this collection paired with the corresponding first trumpet and other section books. You might also select 3 to 4 pieces for a jazz history unit that demonstrates how the big band era shaped modern ensemble playing, or rotate pieces across rehearsals to maintain freshness and prevent fatigue.

• Reading second trumpet voicings in jazz harmony
• Swing articulation and phrasing
• Syncopated rhythm reading in common jazz patterns
• Blend and balance within a brass section
• Interpretation of dynamics and style indications specific to swing era arranging