Take the Lead: Blues Brothers: Trumpet Book & CD

Straight-ahead blues grooves that sit comfortably in the pocket. Each trumpet part has its own voice, whether playing the melody, harmonies, or counterlines, so you're always engaged and contributing something essential to the sound.

Trumpet players from intermediate through advanced levels who want to explore jazz and blues idioms in a quartet setting. This works equally well for students in a school jazz band, a community ensemble, or private students looking to expand beyond classical repertoire.

• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock into the groove before rehearsing with other trumpet parts; blues requires a relaxed, behind-the-beat pocket that the CD models clearly.
• Balance your tone with the backing track by rehearsing at volume levels close to what you'll perform at, so intonation adjustments become obvious early.
• Study the demo performance on the CD first to hear how all four trumpet parts interact, then isolate your own line for focused practice.

Program a set of Take the Lead blues arrangements as a bridge between classical concert material and full jazz band repertoire, or feature a quartet on a jazz night or informal performance. The CD-backed format also makes these ideal for student recitals where ensemble support may not be available.

• Blues articulation and phrasing conventions
• Playing in a section without a conductor
• Listening and balancing to parts in real time
• Reading jazz notation and slash chord symbols
• Groove-based rhythm and swing feel