Best posts made by Bob Pixley

Many years ago I played 3rd trumpet in a local semi-pro symphony orchestra that hosted some well-known artists, such as Maurice Andre, Victor Borge, Doc Severinsen, the Canadian Brass, Yo-Yo Ma, Yehudi Menuhin, and Benny Goodman. I've also played in a brass band which featured a few famous guest artists, including Philip Smith and James Watson. Toured the eastern U.S. for about 20 years with a band playing various events (while holding down a day job), and recorded 4 CDs along the way with that group. I've also recorded music used on a couple Ken Burns PBS specials, and performed on Eb cornet in a movie that wasn't very good and went straight to DVD...lol

However, I'm not a professional musician...more of a useful hack who's been pretty lucky.

When comparing the extremes between cornet and trumpet, the differences are obvious, such as comparing a bright trumpet with a lead mouthpiece to a dark cornet with a brass band mouthpiece. The closer those two extremes come together, the less the differences become. Throw the player into the mix, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference in sound.

I've found the Conn 80A "cornet" to be sort of a mid-ground hybrid, neither fish nor fowl. It fits into a lot of playing opportunities, but not into highly specialized extremes.

1890 F. Besson London Nouveau Etoile model A/Bb/C cornet.

@Dr-GO said in Does a large bore horn take more air?:

@grune said in Does a large bore horn take more air?:

@Kehaulani What do you mean, "take more air"? Technically, yes, a larger bore is a larger diameter, which creates a larger volume of air.

The volume of air in a horn is static. Large bore, medium bore or small bore. We do not replace that air when we blow into the mouthpiece, but are vibrating the air that is already there. So it takes no increase in air (more air) in a large bore horn if the efficiency in the vibratory freedom of that horn moves the sound wave through the medium filling the horn.

I'll disagree a bit. True, the air is already in the horn, but the act of blowing to induce lip vibration does move air through the instrument.

@Tobylou8 said in How about a "Random Meaningless Image...let's see them string"?:

Richmond VA. I took a pic of one of those Southern FP7 engines years ago In Alabama.

1966 Holton C-201 Laureate cornet. Rose brass bell, nickel leadpipe, very well appointed.

@Kehaulani said in Structure of the Trumpet by Yamaha:

@Bob-Pixley said in Structure of the Trumpet by Yamaha:

You don't "buzz your lips" while playing. Your lips flap in the breeze when you blow into the mouthpiece.

Bob - honest question Nothing argumentative, but don't you describe lips flapping as the
result of an embouchure?

Well, sure. They have to be positioned correctly to produce the note you're desiring and a pleasing tone. Not the same thing as making a buzzing sound with your lips with no mouthpiece.

Probably on his way to the ITG conference to play loud high notes in the vendor area...lol

@Brian-Moon
I’ve held one before. Does that count?...

@Dr-GO said in Reasons to NOT Collect Trumpets:

@Bob-Pixley said in Reasons to NOT Collect Trumpets:

Many people collect cheap junk that they will never play to any extent. Instead of applying that money to one good trumpet, they have 10 wall hangers instead.

I have may good trumpets 3 over $3,000 another that currently sells fo $12,400 on sale (40% off) and I play all of them.

And when I play them they are truly "off the wall!"

So, do you collect cheap junk? I bet not. The point I was trying to make is people with limited disposable income buy numerous cheap horns that don't play well, instead of putting that money toward a good instrument. Yes you are a great trumpet player with piles of money - I get it.