I want to play my trumpet in a jazz band?

I am 15 years old and i want to play my trumpet in a jazz band how ever i do not know the music notes but i can blow the trumpet like a pro and i tout my self how to play since i was 6 years old if any one plays for a jazz or r%26amp;b band please give me a chance

I want to play my trumpet in a jazz band?
you are in a predicament my dear trumpet blowing friend the problem is improvising will be the easy part since you know how to play but the only thing i could tell you is to take beginner trumpet lessons and such to learn the basics of learning how to read music or i do have a book call Arbans, and it teaches the basics of reading notes ane conservatory methods http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/boo... here is a link to a shop that sells one but the thing is if your parents cant buy one. All I have to tell you is piano lessons can also help and learning to write music and all scales rythems and such. Sheet music isnt everything but your going to have to bust your chops and wail some nice jazzy rythms because reading music isnt gonna be the end of the world it will just be harder to pick up on what they want you to play peace out.





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I agree with feeble that you will eventually need to learn if you want to get a lot further in your ability to play jazz, and i however was fortunate to learn to read and write music from a piano i only needed to transpose over to trumpet fingerings so please feel free to get a hold of me but i may not be able to help you much but i will try as hard as i can.
Reply:The immortal cornetist Bix Beiderbecke had the same predicament back in the 1920s. He took some time off from performing and learned to read music. He only got better!





You really do have to learn to read the charts, especially in a jazz band, because it is ensemble playing. Nobody is going to let you join a band and just blow solos. In the meantime, you might be able to play in a 'jam' at a local club, but even then, most of the musicians play from 'head' charts in The Real Book.





Do yourself a favor - take classes and lessons and learn to read the charts!
Reply:It's ok that you don't know how to read music yet, I've known great musicians who couldn't read music. problem is if you want to play in a jazz band you will most definitely need to learn to read. If you are talking about a jazz combo with just a few other people, you could probably get by with learning the lead melody by ear and improvising. definitely make the effort to learn though. just don't stop playing, it's amazing that you've taught yourself how to get a good sound out of the horn, alot of people can't even do that. good luck!
Reply:You are useless to a jazz band until you learn to read music. Yes, back in The Day, there were many players that did not read music - but get a clue, times have CHANGED. Now people major in jazz in college - and you had better believe there are people with KILLER skills out there. So - what is holding you back? Go to www.practicespot.com or one of the other zillions of learning sites, and get moving! NOBODY is going to give you a chance until you STEP UP and learn the skills you need. BTW - if cannot read music - how many *head tunes* do you know? - jazz standards that you can play all the way through, verse and chorus, and then improvise several choruses, too? If you can't do THAT, then don't think that YOU have something special to make up for your shortcomings. The world is full of musicians who are PREPARED.