It's Not Polite to Point: Guitar
As Recorded by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (Trombone Section Feature)
By Gordon Goodwin
Grade: 6 (Professional / Very Advanced)
Item: 00-PC-0017236_G
$3.00
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Description
As recorded by the Big Phat Band on the CD That's How We Roll, this swing chart features the trombone section. It's not crazy hard to play, but will require some endurance from the 'bones. Solo changes provided for trombones 1 and 2, alto, tenor, bari, and trumpet 4. Lead trumpet hits a high G but otherwise it's not too demanding. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Gordon Goodwin Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
112
SKU:
00-PC-0017236_G
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin began composing full orchestrations in his head at age five, writing complete pieces rather than fragments. By thirteen, he had already completed his first big band chart, Hang Loose, setting the trajectory for a career that would span film, television, and jazz performance. His work has earned three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations across projects including Bad Boys II, Con Air, Remember the Titans, and Star Trek: Nemesis.
Beyond the screen, Goodwin has arranged and performed with artists ranging from Christina Aguilera and Quincy Jones to Ray Charles and Sarah Vaughn. Since founding Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band in 2000, he has established himself as one of contemporary jazz's most prolific and celebrated voices, conducting with major symphony orchestras across North America and Europe while continuing to lead his ensemble through multiple Grammy-nominated releases.
Why we love this
Goodwin's writing sits at that rare intersection of contemporary accessibility and genuine sophistication. The trombone focus gives the section real substance without asking for virtuosity beyond reach, and the solo changes across multiple voices ensure everyone in the ensemble gets something to own.
What to expect
A groove-centered, moderately paced swing number that lets the trombone section shine with forward momentum and pocket-conscious writing. The chart breathes with the energy of a contemporary big band without the complexity that would derail student musicians.
Who it's for
Advanced high school jazz ensembles and college groups with solid fundamentals and a trombone section ready for extended technical and endurance demands. This chart works for directors who want to feature their 'bones without requiring them to exceed Grade 6 difficulty or push beyond professional capability.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the endurance of your trombone section gradually during rehearsals; this chart demands sustained chops, so pace your work-throughs and avoid pushing for full energy until the ensemble has the part secure.
- Lock in the lead trumpet's high G entrance early; it's the most exposed note in the chart, and confidence from the trumpet section will settle the ensemble's overall intonation.
- Give soloists space to interpret their changes in individual sectionals before full ensemble rehearsals; Goodwin's solo passages reward personal phrasing and swing feel.
- Reference the Big Phat Band recording to hear how the trombone feature sits within the full arrangement; the recorded version clarifies the intended groove and helps your ensemble find the right pocket.
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a jazz concert where you want to highlight section strength; it pairs naturally with lighter novelty charts or more introspective ballads. The recording by the Big Phat Band also makes it an excellent vehicle for teaching students how professional ensembles approach the same chart.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone and endurance in the trombone section across extended passages
- Solo interpretation and improvisation over jazz chord changes
- Section balance and blend in a featured role within the full ensemble
- Swing articulation and phrasing appropriate to contemporary big band writing
- Responding to and locking with rhythm section grooves