Pom Pom

Had a reply from the American trombone player reference the use of amplification in the 40s and 50s big bands. I print his reply below

'Microphones were used quite early as big band and vocalists realized their convenience. Band vocalists, mostly males at the beginning, used megaphones, the type cheer leaders used to use. The bands I was with did radio remotes from small towns. The engineers used one mic for the band sitting high in front and it worked well. All the bands I ever played with never used a microphone, for soloist or anyone, except the vocalist. I hate it when bands use microphones, they sound distorted and unbalanced. You’re right, they sound better without it.'

I am ashamed to say, that I too, rely on a microphone for solo's as the volume of Big Bands has risen over the years as more complex arrangements hit the music stands? But hope one day that we will go full circle and get the real sound, with real balance and everyone listening.


I spent over an hour on the new show pad last night. I should have a lip like Colonel Gaddafi's sphincter muscle soon.......very flexible!!!!

Just about to leave work when we got a call out. Only 2 of us in the office so I had to do it. I will be honest. When I took the call from the Nursing Home I could not understand what the nurse was saying ,as she was from foreign shores. Which made me think..if I can't understand...what chance have the poor residents got??