Mike Armstrong: Mood Swings - Trombone Ensemble

To download the sample score click on the link below
https://warwickmusic.egnyte.com/dl/szPaWRrdIu/TB697_sample_score.pdf_

Mood Swing is a wonderful combination of the classical trombone choir, and the powerful trombone section of a big band. This piece is not written as a trombone choir piece but actually as a duel between two quintets. The main theme heard in the solo part of the 2nd trombone in the 1st quintet takes a wild ride in and out of itself with several variations, lush chord structures, and intricate counter melodies. The unique part about this song is that every single part is one of a kind. There may be several instances of unison, more common in the two bass trombones, but even that goes away every now and then to create a piece that can not be played with even one player short. The nature of the song calls for a specific stage setup to enhance the visual and aural effects written in. The group should set themselves in a wide arch with the 1st quintet (Trombones 1-4 and Bass Trombone 1) standing stage right, the drum set in the middle, and the 2nd quintet (Trombones 5-8 and Bass Trombone 2) standing stage left. The arch should start with the higher parts on the outside ending with the two bass parts in the middle next to the set. At various times during the piece, the two quintets are competing against each other for the attention of the audience. One quintet will be singing the melody while the other will be playing a very intricate and intense counter. At other times the parts are intertwined to give a pyramid effect of sound, bass in the middle building outward and upward. As a trombone player, I also wanted to incorporate my favorite mute into the song. Thus each quintet has a chance to show off with the plunger mute, culminating in a plunger duel before the drum solo. Though these figures are very jazzy, the plunger notation should not be played around with because that in itself is another level of rhythm. One confusing plunger notation that I would like to clarify is the notation of [+0]. This notation requires the player to start the note with a closed plunger and end with an open producing a “wah” sound. The set part leaves the drummer a lot of room to maneuver around both quintets with many fills, and a lengthy solo at the end. It is sure to not only test the drummers chops, but also the drummer’s creativeness. This song gives a new feel to the traditional trombone choir that you are used to hearing, and a more unique look at a typical jazz structure. With unique harmonies, melodic like counters, and standard jazz licks, this song builds and builds until the audience is left on their feet. I hope you enjoy Mood Swing.

This piece is dedicated to Donald Harwood and the TCNJ Trombone Studio.

Mike Armstrong

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SKU: TB697
Composer: Mike Armstrong
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instrumentation: Large Trombone Ensemble; Drumkit (8 Tenors, 2 Bass)
Range: C#2-Bb4