Developing the Commercial Brass Section
This course will explore the fundamentals on how to build a successful commercial brass section. Primary emphasis will be placed on the big band stylistic phrasing of Duke Ellington, to the modern day funk and R&B horn lines of Stevie Wonder; Tower of Power; Earth, Wind, & Fire; Al Jarreau; and more. Concentrated study of specific duties within the brass section will also apply to this course, i.e. lead playing, section playing, soloistic styles pertaining to specific genre, as well as proper usage of mute techniques. Emphasis of learning how to listen across the brass section via concentrated study of past and present recordings will also enable students to perceive and interpret section playing at an advanced to professional level.