Those were great suggestions about the leadership role. I think I would like to address the playing role of the lead alto. I am going to assume that we are talking about a big band set up (trumpet, trombone, and sax sections, with rhythm section and charts). The first thing is to learn how to listen and in what order of importance. You should hear behind first-the lead trumpet player is the boss. Period. This is true when the whole band has a tutti section together. However he or she phrases is exactly how you will phrase it and encourage your section to phrase it. To address people within the section that are not together, I would initially not call them out personally but rather make a general comment like "I hear someone playing the 3rd beat of measure 4 long, but the brass are playing it short, can we all write that in and play it together." Most times your friends are learning too and do not hear what they sound like. You just need to help them start hearing the right things. Secondly you hear sideways to your section to make sure they are following. When just the sax section has a soli then you are the boss. You decide what is the way to phrase. As you get more experienced and encounter professional lead altoist you'll learn that there are more than one way to phrase things. In the meantime consistency. I've worked with Dick Oatts(who I believe to be one of the best lead alto players ever!) on several occasions and we've talked about this issue. He was very firm about being consistent. If your section knows how you are going to play it and you do it the same every time, then they know how to phrase it themselves. This will take work on your part in the beginning. Every time you get a new chart you'll need to decide the phrasing of every note within just the sax parts. Dynamics too-don't be afraid to make a change. Just let the section know "I have been playing this note short but let's try it long just to see" They will appreciate your dedication to the music. Your time feel is also extremely important. You must think of locking in every note. If you drag or rush even a little it gets amplified by the section. Work hard on your time feel and swing 8ths. The notes should pop in time. If I think of more I'll write later. Remember to not make anything personal. A player is either with the rest of the band or not and most times it is not on purpose if they are wrong. The big band is not a democracy. The hierarchy (not counting the band director) is lead trumpet, lead alto and lead bone, everyone else. Otherwise we would never agree on how to play something.

Dick Oatts is the best. If you can understand what he's saying. The guy I used to study with studied with him for a long time, and I've gotten to talk and play with him some too. He's amazing. I transcribed his solo in Blue for Alice. Great Stuff. The biggest issue in my opinion with playing lead alto is time. You have to have a great feel for time, because especially in a school setting, other players dont often have the greatest time. You have to know how to play rythms, and you can't let what the others are playing wrong make you waiver. Usually, they'll catch on after you play it a few times. What Christ said is important, about listening to the lead trumpet. The lead trumpet really dictates things like crescendos, accents, articulations, etc. Make sure and exemplify that in your playing so the other altos who may not listen quite as well can hear you.

jamterry, you talked to Sonny Rollins??? You lucky b*st*rd

Sean, Sonny Rollins is a really intense dude. His thoughts go way beyond music. I think he is improvisation personified. As always, nice to hear from you :) Terry

How'd you manage to come in contact with him though?

Sean, I was at a gala for a music video corporation here in LA. Sonny was at the party. A friend of mine has her editing company in this corporation. It was a huge party.

Dick Oatts is amazing to talk to and listen to I met him at a NASA convention in 93. I also had the honor of meeting Joe Henderson a few years before he passed away. What a gentleman!

Damn, you people are so lucky. I met Gary Bartz during his Aussie tour, great guy, awesome player. Mr Henderson and I share the same birthdate, what a coincidence.