Best posts made by administrator

Improving range is a goal for just about any trumpet player, and very few of us feel like we wouldn't want a couple more notes up from our current ability. Such improvement can help you be more confident in reading, try multiple chairs or parts and expand your horizons with new music. Progress is exciting! However, it should be approached with caution and planning, for many brass players have found that pushing your body too far can lead to injury and digression.

Say you were an athlete. How about a runner? If you wanted to improve your mile time, you wouldn't wake up one morning and decided to gain a minute. It doesn't work that way. Why would instrument playing be any different? If you need a new note for a concert or performance in a month, it probably won't happen, and the intelligent thing to do would be simply to give it to somebody with better range. However, progress can be made. If you decided to run faster, you would evaluate where you currently are, and set some goals. Writing down goals solidifies them as legitimate goals, and not just "wishes." Then, you would evaluate exercises and activities from knowledgeable sources and make a plan. You follow that plan, and you make progress. Such is the way that range improves.

Some good sources for range-improvement exercises include the studies by Bai Lin, James Stamp, Max Schlossberg, James Thompson, Cat Anderson, Carmine Caruso and several others. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Also, many university professors and qualified teachers can offer suggestions for exercises and can help you make a plan for progress. A private teacher is really a necessity for most musicians to progress. Even top-of-the-line professionals often seek advice from other professionals.

This thread is here to aggregate suggestions and advice, as well as collect stories of success and progress to motivate others. Please note that not all advice in this thread will work for you or is from a qualified professional, but such is the nature of the Internet anyway.

@j-jericho said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

@administrator said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

Recently bought this

Nice! I expect that it goes best with my favorite road sign:

Which model is it?

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport (not Quadrofoglio, next step down)

I played the 10th in college. That was a very difficult and intense piece of music to perform.

I've listened to most of the symphonies. I would say my favorites are 4,7 & 13.

Of all the music Shostakovich wrote, my absolute favorite piece is Piano Concerto No. 2, especially Mvt. II. Very sublime.

I have played several of their models. I don't much care for the stonelined trumpets. I think their newer line (non-stonelined) are decent trumpets. Depending on the price, you can get a good horn for not much money. They were made by B&S, I'm not sure if that's still the case.

The company is based in SLC, Utah. They are primarily a saxophone maker but their trumpets are decent as well.

No music, but I'm planning on doing an arduous snowshoe hike New Year's Day. We're planning on a minimum of 9 hours!

@newell-post said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

Sorry. I used to love cars. Now I hate cars. They are a necessary evil, but I just want ones that start and run reliably and drive comfortably.

Might as well make the necessary evil as enjoyable as possible.

Wait, I amend my statement. It's Maxim (Dmitri's son) conducting and Dmitri Jr. (Maxim's son) at the piano. Both released on Chandos.

@damon-mcqueary said in I've about given up on figuring out my King 2055t age:

Mission accomplished it is a 1997, thank you to all who made suggestions!!!

That's what we're here for.

Tenemos trompetistas que hablan Español?

@administrator said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

@ssmith1226 said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

@j-jericho said in New Toy (not a trumpet):

@ssmith1226 That's using your head!

Not only that, but did you notice my vintage Bach Case strapped to the back?

Very classy. I like the look of vintage motorcycles.

That sounds like the modern-day "minimalism" movement.

I wish somebody would have called me to play just about anything! Super dry over here.

Definitely not interchangeable. I believe they are even made by different factories.

Salvo que yo hablo Español en realidad.

@bigdub said in A little humour:

@j-jericho said in A little humour:

@bigdub The 180 is the overall length of the tubing in inches, and the 43 is the measurement in inches from mouthpiece to bell. S is for silver, of course. It's a BIG mutha!

You know your trombones. I’ll have to trust you on that one, Jercho

I really enjoyed this!

https://fb.watch/i9GeWusW9B/

@jolter

My favorite (least favorite) is when Roseanne Barr gets up and "sings" the national anthem. She does such a poor job that the whole croud boos her and she basically gives them the finger. What an awful woman.

@georgeb said in Tough Decision to make:

@administrator

I have some great horns in my collection. Each has its own characteristics that I love, but one stands out amongs them all, and that is the 1940 Olds Recording I added recently. Whatever kind of music, from classical to country, you want to play, the Olds just gets the job done. I know this sounds crazy, but it is as it plays itself and you are just along for the ride.
George

I don't think that's crazy at all. I have known several people who feel that way about them.

@dr-go said in A little humour:

Speaking of Hammonds, I just saw one being given away. I thought to myself "You couldn't pay me $1000 to take that beast off your hands."

I hate the sound of Hammond / Leslie organs.

Now, I would pay good money to hear J.S. Bach improvise!