Sittin' In with the Big Band, Volume II: B-flat Trumpet Book & Online Audio

Stepping into a real big band section. The charts swing with classic groove and attitude, giving you the thrill of playing authentic repertoire alongside pros who know how to phrase and breathe as a unit.

Intermediate trumpeters ready to explore jazz style and ensemble playing. This book works for students in their second or third year of jazz instruction, whether in a school jazz program or private studio setting.

• Listen to the recorded ensemble multiple times before reading your part. This trains your ear to the style, phrasing, and articulation of big band swing before your fingers engage.
• Pay attention to when the trumpet section plays in unison versus harmony. Lock your tone and rhythm with the section sound on the recording, not just the written notes.
• Study the dynamics and accents marked in your book carefully. The accompaniment will reveal how those markings sit within the full band texture.
• Record yourself playing along, then listen back. You'll hear immediately where your intonation, time, or phrasing diverges from the professional ensemble.

Use these charts as core repertoire in a small jazz combo or big band that may not have a full trumpet section. They're also excellent for solo practice outside ensemble rehearsals, allowing students to build confidence and musicality between meetings. Rotate through the ten pieces across a semester to deepen jazz vocabulary gradually.

• Big band articulation and phrasing conventions
• Section ensemble intonation and blend
• Swing time feel and groove
• Reading jazz dynamics and accents
• Listening and transcription habits
• Balancing written part with ensemble sound