Roles in the Band

The topic of history is going to come up a lot in this course, because Traditional Jazz is a historically informed performance practice. If you know nothing about Dixieland, the first thing you should learn is the role of each instrument in the band.

Let’s start with the foundation: the rhythm section.

The drums keep time using a mix of swing and traditional snare playing that comes straight out of marching bands and brass bands of the era. The bass—or tuba—provides a classic two-beat harmonic outline of the tune. In early recording sessions, bassists would sometimes use a metal (steel) bass to help the sound project better into the recording equipment of the time.

The most common chordal instrument in early Dixieland bands was the banjo. It projected well both on recordings and in the loud, open-air streets of New Orleans. Many modern Dixieland bands now include both banjo and piano, with the piano filling the same chordal role as the banjo.

Now let’s talk about the horns.

The trumpet is the lead voice of the band—it plays the melody. The trombone acts like the bass voice of the horn section. It can double the bass line in octaves or fifths, and often throws in bluesy lines or responses to the trumpet. This blend of bassline and melodic commentary is called tailgating.

The clarinet plays a harmonic role throughout the ensemble. It might harmonize with the trumpet’s melody or fill in the background using arpeggios. Like the trombone, it can also respond to the trumpet with its own bluesy ideas.

Together, the horns and rhythm section create a rich harmonic and melodic soundscape. Every player has a role—and within that role, they have the freedom to express themselves however they want.