Section 4: Chapter 1 Understanding Instrument Roles

Question 1

What is a common occasion that would call for the use of a ceremonial band?

Answer 1

Retirements Funerals Community outreach missions Government/military ceremonies

Question 2

Which is the brightest brass instrument that is considered to be the driving force of a brass section

Answer 2

The brightest brass instrument is the trumpet

Question 3

Styles of a jazz ensemble include:

Answer 3

Swing Latin Bossa Nova

Question 4

Which section is responsible for setting and maintaining the speed and rhythmic dynamics of an ensemble?

Answer 4

The Percussion Section is responsible for setting and maintaining the speed and rhythmic dynamics of an ensemble.

Question 5

Which type of ensemble would be called upon to perform at a community festival or birthday celebration?

Answer 5

The Brass Band would be called upon to perform at a community festival or birthday celebration.

Question 6

What genre’s of music of music does a brass band perform?

Answer 6

Brass band players are required to have a wide repertoire of contemporary and classic hits, in styles that range from rock and popular music to funk, Dixieland jazz, and R&B.

Question 7

What role does a trumpet player have in a brass band?

Answer 7

As the loudest and highest-pitched instrument of a brass band, the trumpet will normally take a lead melodic role within the ensemble. Brass bands will commonly feature two trumpet players that will normally double the melody or give harmonic support to other instruments that may have solo sections.

Question 8

What role does a saxophone have in a brass band?

Answer 8

The saxophone will normally play a similar role following the trumpet’s lead, either supporting the melodic lines of the song or harmonizing a specific voice of chord changes. Navy brass bands routinely perform with a single saxophone or multiple saxophones, depending on manning availability.

Question 9

What role does a trombone have in a brass band?

Answer 9

Key roles of the trombone are to perform improvised solos, support the harmonic framework of the song, and at times, play or support the melody.

Question 10

What role does a sousaphone have in a brass band?

Answer 10

The sousaphone player is primarily responsible for maintaining steady tempo and providing the harmonic foundation for the piece.

Question 11

What role does percussion have in a brass band?

Answer 11

The percussion section of a brass band can vary from the use of a single player with a full drum set, to three players on cymbals, snare, and bass drum.Regardless of configuration, it is important for any percussionist to know the standard drum beats for all styles, as well as the arrangement of each song that the ensemble will perform.

Question 12

What role does a guitar and bass guitar have in a brass band?

Answer 12

It has become common to also include guitar and/or bass guitar with larger brass bands, depending on the repertoire of the group. Brass bands that play more contemporary and popular music styles may benefit from having a guitar and bass guitar to help reinforce the rhythm section, and provide a more modern sound by including an electric guitar solo or more agile bass lines.

Question 13

Jazz ensembles can range from what?

Answer 13

a small trio of three players to big band groups comprised of up to eighteen players.

Question 14

What roles are instrumentalists responsible for in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 14

Each instrument or section of a jazz ensemble is responsible for multiple roles within the group, including comping, improvising, and following written melodies and harmonic changes.

Question 15

How many saxophones are typically used in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 15

4-5 ranging from alto to baritone

Question 16

What is the role of a lead alto in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 16

The lead alto saxophone is responsible for providing consistent style interpretation for the rest of the saxophone section to support.

Question 17

What is the role of a tenor saxophone in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 17

The tenor saxophone is often the primary solo instrument in the section, but also serves to double the alto saxophone in octaves or provide harmonic support.

Question 18

What is the role of a baritone saxophone in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 18

the baritone sax can play the role of the bass instrument of the saxophone section, commonly doubling with the trombones or bass guitar.

Question 19

How many trumpet players are used in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 19

Trumpet Standard jazz/big band ensembles have up to four players in the section, one of which performs the role of lead player.

Question 20

What is the role of a lead trumpet player?

Answer 20

• The lead player typically carries the melodic lines over the rest of the section, and will cover the highest notes within the ensemble.
• The lead player must provide consistent style interpretation that isemulated by the entire wind section of the ensemble.

Question 21

Where are solos typically placed in a trumpet section?

Answer 21

In the 2nd part

Question 22

How many trombones are typically used in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 22

The trombone section normally consists of up to four players.

Question 23

What is the role of a lead trombone player in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 23

The lead trombonist is to the trombonesection what the lead trumpet is to the whole band.

Question 24

What must the other trombone players do in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 24

The rest of the trombone section must emulate the performance interpretation of the lead trombonist.

Question 25

What different roles does a piano play in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 25

* In a smaller jazz combo, the piano will play a stronger melodic role, while also holding together the harmonic structure throughout a tune. * Within a bigband setting, the piano will focus more on supporting the rhythm section.

Question 26

What is important for a pianist to do in a jazz ensemble in terms of harmony?

Answer 26

It is important for the pianist to listen closely to the harmonic arrangement of the horn sections, so as to not interfere with the harmonic integrity of the group as a whole. "less is more"

Question 27

What is the role of a guitarist in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 27

* While playing with alarger group, a guitarist will normally take the same minimalistic approach as the piano player, which means staying out of the way of the lead brass players by supporting the harmonic movement and comping for any soloists. * In smaller jazzvcombos, the guitar player will find more freedom to play in and out of the rhythmand melodic sections, while often getting the opportunity to solo throughout a performance.

Question 28

What is the biggest role of a bass guitarist?

Answer 28

* The biggest role of bass guitar is creating a link between the rhythm and the harmonic movement of a tune. *

Question 29

When does the bass guitarist get a solo in a jazz ensmeble?

Answer 29

Solo sections for bass are not common in a big band scenario, however, with a smaller jazz combo, bass players are typically given the opportunity to solo.

Question 30

What is the drummers role in a jazz ensemble?

Answer 30

The drummer’s role within any ensemble is to consistently line up the unit of the beat, divided beat, and subdivided beat with the bass player, and to guide the rhythm section with the appropriate stylistic feel.

Question 31

When can drum solos be usually found in jazz ensembles?

Answer 31

* Drum solos can be commonly found in smaller jazz combos and occasionally in big band performances * It is also common for the drummer to trade off several bars of soloing with another lead instrument.

Question 32

A standard concert band will contain what amount of people?

Answer 32

35-45 people divided into different sections

Question 33

What is the typical repertoire in a wind ensemble?

Answer 33

The repertoire of modern Wind Ensemble can consist of traditional patriotic selections, traditional folk music, modern pop music and any other styles that enable the ensemble to meet the needs of the performance venue.

Question 34

What is the difference between a wind ensemble and a ceremonial band?

Answer 34

A wind ensemble will have the addition of a string bass whereas a ceremonial band consists strictly of winds and percusion.

Question 35

How is a piccolo scored for a wind ensemble?

Answer 35

* In most cases, the piccolo partsare scored to double the melody of the flute section and add a touch of brilliance due to the octave transposition. * Wind ensembles will typically employ the use of only one piccolo.

Question 36

How is an oboe scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 36

* The oboe is often scored in two parts. * It is normal to have oboe players doubleon English horn parts. * Outside of primarily supporting the melodic sections of ascore, the principal oboist is called upon to provide a reference note to tune therest of an orchestra.

Question 37

How is a bassoon scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 37

* The bassoon and contrabassoon add a unique and versatile characteristic to thewoodwind section. * Typically, wind ensembles are scored for up to twobassoons.

Question 38

How is a clarinet scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 38

* The clarinet section can be divided amongst multiple parts and can consist of several types of clarinets, the most common being the B♭ clarinet. * Standard orchestration for a clarinet section would call for three separate B♭ clarinetparts as well as a bass clarinet part. * Solo sections are typically written in the first part or a separate solo clarinet part will be written.

Question 39

How is a saxophone scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 39

* The saxophone section of a wind ensemble can be very versatile and can have awide range consisting of multiple alto parts, as well as tenor and baritone parts. * Saxophones will typically double other instruments in their respective ranges. * The saxophone can blend well with both woodwind and brass instruments, so they are often used as a bridge between the two sections. * Because the saxophone can be a very expressive instrument, composers will often use it as a solo voice.

Question 40

How is a trumpet scored in an wind ensemble?

Answer 40

* Typically consisting of four players, the trumpet section is a standard componentof a wind ensemble and can cover both the melodic and rhythmic roles of a score. * Trumpets add brightness to the brass section and can easily be heard above the rest of the ensemble. * As the highest pitched brass instrument, it is usually scored as the driving force of the brass section. * Due to the trumpet’s agility and expressiveness, first or second trumpet parts are commonly given solo sections.

Question 41

How is an euphonium scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 41

* The euphonium sits within the tenor/baritone voice of the brass section. * In most cases, standard wind ensembles will consist of no more than two euphonium players with divided parts. * The euphonium is typically scored for counter melodies and occasional solo sections.

Question 42

How is a trombone scored in a wind ensemble?

Answer 42

* Tenor and bass trombones reside in the tenor and baritone voices of the brass section, and will typically consist of 3 – 4 players (2 – 3 tenor and 1 bass). * Scores for trombones are usually divided into three parts, with the first two parts given to tenor trombone and one part given to bass trombone.

Question 43

How is a tuba scored for a wind ensemble?

Answer 43

* The tuba is the lowest instrument of the brass section. It will normally only be scored with a single part. * On rare occasions, solo sections will be written for the tuba, but the tuba typically plays the supporting role and doubles the other bass instruments such as the baritone sax, bass clarinet, or bass trombone.

Question 44

How is percussion scored for a wind ensemble?

Answer 44

* The percussion section of a wind ensemble plays the role as it would in any ensemble, supporting the rhythm section with short accents either on timpani, bass drum, or cymbals, or occasionally with short melodic passages on pitched instruments, such as the xylophone or the piano.