Description
The Star-Spangled Banner Trumpet Duet
By Francis Scott Key
Note: This PDF has two versions, one in B Flat and the other in C.
Show your patriotism with this very traditional arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner. This duet arrangement of our National Anthem stays close to the original arrangement. Eddie Lewis used the same approach he takes on his hymn arrangements to create a trumpet duet arrangement that sounds like nothing is missing. There are no awkward fourths or fifths that you might hear if an arrangement is simply using soprano and alto parts.
This is a conservative arrangement that does not stray from the original. Some trumpet players like to spice it up when they perform the Star-Spangled Banner. This is NOT THAT. The point of this arrangement is to honor the original. If you are looking for a trumpet duet that sticks to the traditional sound of the National Anthem, then look no further.
Two Standard Keys
The Star-Spangled Banner is commonly performed ind both B Flat (A Flat Concert) and C (B Flat Concert). We include both keys in this PDF file.
Second Part
The first part in this arrangement of the National Anthem is the traditional melody, unaltered. What makes this arrangement unique is the second trumpet part. Eddie Lewis has been writing trumpet duets since the mid 1970’s. He has written literally hundreds of trumpet duets and has developed a feel for good second parts.
Eddie’s second parts on traditional songs like the Star-Spangled Banner bring out the traditional sound of the composition in a way that remains true to its original mood and harmonies. When you listen to the demo recording of the trumpet duet arrangement, you will not hear any of the awkwardness that you might typically expect. This is because, over the decades of experience of writing trumpet duets, Eddie has settled on an arranging technique that works.
Trumpet Player Skill Level
The skill level for this trumpet duet arrangement of the Star-Spangled Banner is the Trumpet Player Skill Level. This is the third level in our system and the first of two intermediate levels. Some online platforms might call this a “intermediate/beginner” arrangement.
The top note in the first part is the fifth of the key. In the key of B Flat that would be a top line F. In the key of C the top note is G above the staff. There is an optional fanfare written into the part as is traditional for the National Anthem. That optional fanfare puts the skill level in the Trumpet Pro category, but we made it clear that this is optional. So the official skill level remains at the Trumpet Player level.
Patriotic and Sports Events
The National Anthem is commonly performed at the openings of sports and patriotic events. Eddie Lewis has performed the National Anthem at little league baseball games, professional football games and everything in between. He has also performed the National Anthem at more personal events, such as an US Army promotion ceremony. And of course there have been hundreds of patriotic concerts, church services and celebrations throughout his career as a professional trumpet player.
Today people are having patriotic celebrations throughout the year. There’s Washington’s Birthday (now called “Presidents Day”), Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day (Fourth of July), and Veterans Day. This trumpet duet arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner is appropriate for all of these and any other patriotic celebration people like.
Star-Spangled Banner Play-Along
We have a trumpet play-along video in our You Play First Chair video series that allows you to take this arrangement for a test drive. That video series is intended to give students a way to practice sight reading, but it also works quite well for people who would like to try the piece before they buy it.
To access the You Play First Chair video for this trumpet duet arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner, click on the following button:
Star-Spangled Banner Demo Video
Here is the demo video of this trumpet duet arrangement of the Star-Spangled Banner. Just a quick note, the flapping flag in the background is from video Eddie took when he and his wife, Pearl, visited the Fort Lancaster State Historic Site. There were beautiful blue skies and lots of wind, making for a perfect flag video opportunity.
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