Talk:Summon the Heroes
I disagree with the piece being called out as the "most" challenging piece in the library. I'll admit that the time signature and tempo changes add a difficulty which we usually don't work with, but the parts are relatively straightforward beyond that.
- St. James and Basin St. both call out abrupt tempo and dynamic changes.
- Children of Sanchez (when played properly) and El Cumbanchero have noticably more demanding percussion parts - since we're not running any of the field elements on this piece, usually.
- The NFL on Fox cheer has more difficult entrances to grab onto
- The cheer versions of Play That Funky Music and Back in Black are more exposed
- The Trumpet Cheers definitely require even greater strength in the trumpet section
- Jump, Live and Let Die, Jungle Boogie, and certainly several others have harder rhythms to read
- Duel of the Fates requires more focus from the front line
- You Can Call Me Al calls for greater dynamic control as the solo there is on Flute/Picc
- And, though we may not always recognize it, Proud Mary and 55 both hold the tempo to a higher standard - if you slouch you lose the excitement, which means you need an experienced and rehearsed percussion section
- Lastly, Classical Gas takes the cake on meter changes - actually, it takes the whole bakery and the deli next door just for good measure. I'm working on it in my spare time.
- I concede that the rapid eighths in the 12/8 section are very difficult because so much of the band is in unison and it'll sound like soup if you're not lined up vertically.
- And I concede that there are a few call-and-response spots which will need more rehearsal than other sections, but not much more than Star Wars, really.
I agree that it's a difficult piece, but I disagree with saying it's the "most" difficult piece in the library.
- Last note: Don't worry about typing the parts. I emptied the last of my old boxes and found a copy of the score. No parts, but I still have Finale and can type up the parts. Might not be until January or so by the time it gets to y'all, but I figure that'll save someone the hassle and maybe save the band a little money.TrekMuse 15:16, November 12, 2008 (UTC)
First of all regarding typing the parts I wouldn't bother with it (I already have half of it inputted into Sibelius).
As for this not being one of the most challeging songs in the library, you have to be kidding yourself. It has a very exposed beginning with time changes, a trumpet solo which most trumpets would have trouble playing cleanly, interweaving woodwind parts, a difficult percussion part, 3 minute length, 4 abrupt tempo changes.... in short, it requires a high level of musicianship from the entire band, and lots of practice. The song examples you gave occasionally go beyond the demand required for this song, but they only ever go beyond on one facet. This song is demanding for everyone in the band in every way. In fact, I'd say the only song you listed that is on par with this song in terms of difficulty is Classical Gas, and that's mostly for the toll on the conductor. While Summon the Heroes might not be the most difficult song in the library (though I believe it is), it is definitely one of the most difficult. Trick trickster 04:23, November 13, 2008 (UTC)
I just want to jump in here and say that You Can Call Me Al definitely isn't as challenging for dynamic control, as it's a tuba/flute(/picc) solo and the remainder of the band rests during that. At least, we haven't had a problem with that as long as I've been in the band. Is it really necessary to pick apart every song over this? Semczukn