The Best of Big and Easy, Volume 2: 1st B-flat Trumpet Book

This collection grabs from Story's most successful arrangements, giving your trumpet section recognizable melodies they'll actually want to play. The Grade 2 writing sits perfectly in the sweet spot between accessibility and genuine musicianship, and having a complete rhythm section (keyboard, bass, drums) means you can run these charts with minimal prep in any performance setting.

Straightforward fun. These charts swing, groove, or march with personality without asking too much of the section. You get that satisfying moment when a familiar tune clicks into place and your band sounds immediately polished, even if you only had a few rehearsals.

Trumpet players in marching bands and pep bands at the Grade 2 level who want to perform music that audiences actually recognize and enjoy. This book works for anyone fielding a trumpet section that needs confident, sounding arrangements without the rehearsal burden of more complex charts.

• Balance the lead melody line clearly against the supporting brass voices; Story's voicing relies on this clarity to land the tune.
• Lock rhythmic precision with the rhythm section from your first run-through. These arrangements sit on groove, and sloppy time will undermine even the simplest chart.
• Don't oversell dynamics in early rehearsals. Nail the notes and rhythm first, then layer in expression and articulation details.
• Trust the straightforward melodic writing. These are recognizable tunes, so let the familiarity work for you rather than adding interpretive flourishes that muddy the original character.

Program individual charts throughout your season to refresh pep band concerts or halftime shows without derailing your regular rehearsal schedule. The Grade 2 level also makes this collection useful for early-season warm-up before tackling more demanding contest repertoire, and the recognizable tunes work beautifully for community engagement events where crowds respond to familiar melodies.

• reading and playing standard lead trumpet voicing
• maintaining rhythmic precision in groove-based arrangements
• balancing melodic line with harmonic support parts
• responding to rhythm section cues and tempo changes
• articulation and phrasing appropriate to popular music styles