[Trombone-l] why the bone player?

[Jeff Albert]

I list my possible reasons.  Some are meant more in jest than others,  
but I think all have a grain of truth.

1) We're smarter.  At least those of us that are writers.

2)We get very little improv space in big bands, so we need another  
creative outlet.  Plus we can write trombone solos into the charts if  
we write the charts.

3)  The trombone section often carries the meat of the harmonic  
support, so just by playing in the band we are learning about  
harmonies and voicings, if we are paying attention (see #1).

4)  trombone players are usually the last to get chicks, so by  
becoming the arranger we move up in that pecking order.

jeff


=====================
Jeff Albert

www.jeffalbert.com
www.scratchmybrain.com



On May 11, 2006, at 10:09 AM, dslide13 at aol.com wrote:

> Why is it that there are so many trombonists that are also recognized
> as composer/arrangers?  On the trombone, we have Nestico, Wolpe, Slide
> Hampton, JJ Johnson, Bob Brookmeyer, et al...  It seems that being a
> trombonist is an advantage for an aspiring
> composer/arranger/orchestrator.  I have my own ideas about this,  
> but am
> curious to know other's thoughts and experiences.
>
>
> David Gibson
> trombonist/educator
> www.jazzbone.org
>
>
>
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