How to arrange for trumpet mutes, Pt. 1 - Big Band Arranging SECRETS REVEALED 

Thanks for the details, from an actual trumpet player, Elliot. In the future... I'd be interested in hearing about "false fingerings" or other workarounds players use for certain notes. For example, when I was a kid studying arranging, I thought that all baritone saxes were equal. Trouble was that the first band I wrote for, the bari player had a custom key on his sax, allowing him to play a step or so (I forget exactly.) lower. That proved embarrassing when I went to a local college band, and the bari player told me the part was "impossible". I know there are quirks like this to be aware for many horns... B natural to Bb, for example, on a standard tenor trombone. For me today, these would just be "informative", but for a new and more-active arranger, they might be truly helpful. Regardless, I'm consistently enjoying your content, so carry on, sir! ::)

Thanks Elliot! Your channel is so awesome! It's helping me tremendously with writing my first major BigBand piece. I had a teacher who always said things like "you could do this or this or that.." it's so refreshing and clears out so many misconceptions to hear somebody just say "you shouldn't do this" and "you should do that instead", which of course isn't set in stone and yet I'm feeling like I'm taking lots of shortcuts thanks to you!

This is excellent advice. Thank you.

Great stuff.

Have subbed!

This channel is an absolute goldmine!

07:18 Check out the original Benny Goodman version of "Stompin' @ the Savoy" hardly any time at all to change mutes!

Love these lessons, thanks a bunch! Here’s a question for you, maybe even a video idea: when writing soli/block chords, when are repeated notes ok and when should they be avoided?

Elliot, I'm not sure whether you're addressing this video to PLAYERS (and their skills level) or to ARRANGERS... The actual filmed demonstration is great. But...I'd rather diminished the over talking, and SEE much more written examples and listening to them. Thanks!

Hi Eliot, i love your work and your dedication! Thanks for helping me be a better jazz producer I’m trying to find part 2 and 3 for mutes! Could you help me please ?

Hey if you buy a hardware store plunger, give the stick to a percussionist friend because they'll like it for cowbell

Hi Elliot. The video series is growing to epic proportions! Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge. I thought I might as well hit you up with a question I have, as I'm struggling to figure it out by myself. I've read that you can double the saxes with flutes, clarinets, bass clarinet, and flugelhorn for trumpets. I was just wondering if there are any guidelines out there for embellishing parts written for traditional big band with full orchestral wind and string sections? I've tried briefly exploring some symphonic jazz, but can't work out the mechanics beyond recognising that different sections might take their turn to shine whilst other sections sit back and do support or take a rest - not very useful as I want to know what I can do with a string section whilst the trumpets and saxes are in full flow! It feels a bit redundant to just double up the saxes with 1st violins and trumpets with 2nd violins, for example, on the otherhand having the strings voicing the chords as a pad feels a bit muddy.... Any tips, or is it left to composers ingenuity? Cheers. (Maybe this would be good for a future video?)

Quick question with the time to remove a Harmon mute, what sort of period is reasonable for this?

You mention a Flugel as a 'mute', the other great option is "Play in stand". The other problem with not writing a warning on a mute change or not giving enough time to change a mute before playing the next section is when the trumpeter drops the mute either on the ground or in the pile of mutes. That's not a sound the composer/arranger (or audience) really wanted to hear. hahaha For arranging, do you typically try to avoid lower ledger/low notes as the mute tends to block too much of the air (and frequencies) and keep the middle staff/upper so the sound projects better?

A video on the rhythm section??

I can't find the next 2 mute videos?