Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Play-Along Series: Trumpet, Volume 2: Trumpet Book & Online Video/Audio/Software

Bergeron doesn't separate lead playing from ensemble playing or reduce technique to abstraction. These are working charts from actual recordings, so students aren't learning from artificial exercises; they're learning from the music professionals actually perform. The combination of notation, video demonstration, and play-along tracks means a student can watch exactly how a phrase is executed, then immediately try it over the same accompaniment Bergeron uses.

These are the real sounds of a contemporary big band: swing grooves that swing hard, Latin sections that lock tight, and funk charts that demand precision and attitude. The material feels achievable but never patronizing, with the confidence of a band that knows exactly what it's doing.

Advanced Grade 3 and Grade 4 trumpet players who are ready to understand lead playing as a leadership role within an ensemble, not just as higher notes. This is also valuable for Section leaders or principal players looking to deepen their command of style and articulation in a jazz setting.

• Study the video demonstrations before playing through a chart. Watching Bergeron execute the phrasing, articulation, and dynamics gives you a listening reference that notation alone cannot convey.
• Use the play-along tracks at slower tempos first, focusing on matching the exact tone quality and attack style shown in the video rather than rushing to tempo.
• Pay close attention to how lead responds to the section behind you. The rhythm section and lower brass do not simply follow the lead trumpet; listen actively and adjust your phrasing to land cleanly with the band's pulse.
• Work on the swing and Latin material separately before attempting the funk grooves. Each style requires different tonguing, breath placement, and rhythmic feel.

Assign individual charts over the course of a semester to trumpet soloists or principals who are developing lead playing skills outside of your ensemble rehearsals. The video component makes this ideal for independent study, and students can apply what they learn directly to your own big band repertoire.

• Lead trumpet phrasing and articulation in swing, funk, and Latin styles
• Tone quality and projection appropriate for lead voice in a big band
• Reading and executing swing rhythms at medium to very fast tempos
• Listening and responding to rhythm section pulse and section placement
• Dynamics, emphasis, and style interpretation from recorded models
• Equipment considerations and embouchure efficiency for endurance