Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Play-Along Series: Trumpet: Trumpet Book & Online Audio/Software

This series puts your students in the room with professional big band musicians without requiring a full ensemble. The recorded accompaniments capture authentic groove, dynamics, and phrasing choices that students absorb through repeated listening and playing; they're not just hearing music theory, they're internalizing how a working trumpet section actually sounds. The included solo transcriptions and chord changes transform passive playback into active jazz learning, turning each track into a masterclass in real-time.

These ten tracks swing with the casual authority of musicians who have played this music thousands of times. There's a relaxed confidence in the rhythmic placement, a warmth in the tone, and a precision in the articulation that comes only from genuine ensemble experience. Whether the tune is a straightforward swing chart or a Latin groove, the recorded band plays with the kind of specificity that makes every listen reveal something new.

Trumpet players at the Grade 5-6 level who are ready to engage with real big band style, phrasing, and swing feel without needing the full instrumentation of a working ensemble. Students preparing for jazz festivals, lead chair auditions, or those simply hungry to develop their sound alongside professional voices will find concrete models to learn from. Experienced high school players and early college-level trumpets benefit equally, since the recorded players demonstrate interpretive choices that go well beyond the written notes.

• Match the tone and articulation style of the recorded trumpet section rather than playing through them independently. The ensemble sound depends on blend, so listen intently during the first few run-throughs and adjust your concept to sit inside that aesthetic.
• Study the included solo transcriptions before you play the corresponding tracks. Knowing the recorded soloist's approach to a specific section gives you a reference point for phrasing and rhythmic placement, even if you ultimately choose a different path.
• Use the chord changes provided for improvisation sections to build your own lines, not just to follow what's on the recording. This transforms the play-along from a performance tool into a compositional laboratory.
• Lock into the rhythm section by focusing on the bass and drums rather than the other trumpet voices. This habit trains ensemble independence and time-keeping that transfers directly to your own big band work.

Use this book as a weekly independent study tool for advanced trumpets during the school year, with students reporting back on what they discovered about phrasing or groove in a given track. You might also pull one or two of these arrangements for a jazz concert and have your trumpet section perform with the recorded accompaniment, creating a hybrid performance that showcases your section's growth while acknowledging the professional standard they're measuring themselves against. The solo transcriptions also work well as a sight-reading and transcription resource in sectional rehearsals.

• Swing feel and rhythmic placement in ensemble context
• Lead trumpet tone production and phrasing under pressure
• Jazz improvisation using chord changes and harmonic navigation
• Latin groove feel and cross-cultural jazz articulation
• Solo transcription reading and analytical listening
• Big band sectional blend and articulation consistency
• Endurance and range management in a professional setting