Hi,

Need some help. I just started playing jazz trumpet and have three queries on music signs. Can anyone help me on this.

First what does the line above a note curving up at both ends mean, and how do I practice to get this style. Is it to bend the note upwards?

Second what does a cross instead of the round top or bottom of the note do to it? What is the technioque for this?

Third what does a note in brackets mean? usually in the middle of a sequence of quavers.

Many Thanks, hope this isn't too basic!

Chris

Chris,

I've just started trying to play jazz trumpet too.

From your descriptions the 1st one sounds like a standard bend where you kick off the note at the correct pitch then lip it down a bit (about a semi-tone) and then lip it back up again all within the correct length of the note.

The 2nd one I think is to represent a note of indeterminate pitch. Notes in percussion, for example, use this. Sometimes you have notes which are to be clapped and they are denoted by crosses. It may be that this 'cross' note is used in conjunction with some other articulation to indicate that the pitch that you use is up to you.

The 3rd one sounds like it's a optional twiddly bit like a grace note, but I'm not so sure without seeing it.

Here's a useful link with some information on articulation markings:

http://www.bands.army.mil/masterclass/tusa...ec2000/jazz.htm

Hope that helps, but I'm sure more knowledgeable people than I will chip in.

Regards,

Mark.