Intermission Riff

[bigbandbone]

I've played with a lot of big bands, and have played Intermission Riff countless times. But last Tuesday was the first time I'd played the bass bone part.

Think about that iconic bass bone Riff- low Ab down to trigger Db.

Should it be two hard almost stacatto attacks, or a hard attack on the Ab slurred down to the Db.

I've listened to a lot of old recordings and it's kinda split as to how it's done.

How have you played it, or how do you think it should be played?

[BGuttman]

Slur and land hard on the Db. Note that 2nd trombone doubles up an octave.

[baileyman]

Take it easy!

This is a very relaxed lightly swinging west coast chart. Just be clean and on time. Especially on time, on top of the beat. Be perfect with the string bass.

[StephenK]

Suggest you find a recording of Stan Kenton playing it.

[AndrewMeronek]

The Kenton Orchestra went through several versions of that tune, and the riff sometimes varied even in their charts. The big thing is to just make sure you agree in rhythm with whoever else has the bass line.

[bigbandbone]

The Kenton Orchestra went through several versions of that tune, and the riff sometimes varied even in their charts. The big thing is to just make sure you agree in rhythm with whoever else has the bass line.

I agree, and so my confusion! I've opted for a hard attack on the Ab with a slur down to the Db. And landing hard on the Db.The director likes it and the band likes it.