Posts made by fels

The Anita Kerr Singers were also the back up for Al Hirt's "Honey in the Horn" album -- One of the best of Al's albums.

I agree with ROWUK. I started playing trumpet in third grade (no lessons) - gave it up but took up piano lessons -- resumed trumpet in 5th grade (no lessons) - continued both piano and trumpet --- between sixth grade and junior high school (6 grade to 7) i had my first lessons -- took lessons in both piano and trumpet throughout junior high and first two years of high school. Then moved to a nearby city - no lessons. Bought an illegal "fake book" and took a few lessons on piano from a teacher who for the first time in my "education" introduced me to the circle of fifths. No more trumpet lessons for twenty years. Then, perhaps one year of lessons from the local symphonic principal. He introduced me to long tones and breath attacks.

Otherwise - it is the love of music and the drive to get better at what you do.

Thanks - I found a link to a similar question on TH and Tim had a very useful, lengthy, detailed response.

I have tentatively agreed to play trumpet in the pit orchestra for a local (church) production of Anything Goes - scheduled for the coming Fall (November production). That is a busy time of year for me and i am curious about the demands of the trumpet part. I did another production some years ago (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and found the final rehearsals, dress rehearsals and multiple performance demands were exhausting. Anything Goes is Cole Porter and listening to the sound track , it sounds pretty straight forward. Anybody with experience in that particular book?

Our Brass Quintet played for and Advent function (Lutheran Women) and for the Stratton Home (assisted living). Same program for both - namely mostly Dean Mounts arrangements. Last Saturday. Each was about an hour long.

Jr High School (Middle School)
JFK Assasination
Was called to the school office
Played Taps while the flag was lowered to half mast.

Post 9-11
Played for Catholic Mass for Stewardess who died in the PA crash

Taps for the deceased (and fallen) - 82nd Airborne annual meeting Colorado Springs ( early 1990s)

a very useful study tool is the use of "upside down scales" learning them in the opposite direction. My wife (pianist) will always suggest that i play troubling passages backwards also.

Thanks for the responses --- my inquiry was based on comments from other members of the quintet who claimed they were having difficulties finding arrangements. I should have remembered my anthropology professor's admonishment of 45 years ago -- do you your own research!

Our Brass Quintet played for Jewish service a couple of weeks ago. Several folks came up afterward and suggested we schedule another service followed by additional music after the service in the community room. We would love to do this but would like to include Klezmer. Any suggestions for brass quintet arrangements in klezmer style?

@Kehaulani

I somehow found the Schlossberg routines (LA guys) last year after a few weeks off from pneumonia -- They work very well for rehab and daily or weekly routine practice.

in 1969-1970, I was in a "Junior Year Abroad" university program in Regensburg. I was supposed to be with a German family, but there were none since it was an introductory year. So the administrators found a sleeping room for me at a Carmalite Monestery - third floor. I had my Olds Recording with me and thought i would try to practice in my room. Did not work so well. Even with a mute. So-- yes-- sometimes circumstances will teach you something that will be useful later in life -- play softly.

I thought I had suggested this before but :Groundhog Day:
I will post a new thread (In the appropriate spot) about Community Bands. There are lots of pros and semi-pros posting here. I think the CB group could benefit by some feedback from others who are not former pros or semi pros but just want to play but may be frustrated by the traditional (social) Community Band structure. My view (Like GeorgeB) is the if you are a serious player, albeit a recreational player, you are limited by the expectations of the the preponderance of the Community Band. Namely, socialization, lack of practice etc.experience.

Ok I highjacked this from another thread.

For Recreational Players -- (and there are sites for that such as Ivan's "Recreational Musical."

The dynamics for recreational players are very difficult. I play in a NH Symphonic Band, NH Jazz Band, and a related Brass Quintet. The level of commitment varies greatly. The structure is strong. Frustrations are also strong. How to cope?

I thought I had suggested this before but :Groundhog Day:

I will post a new thread (In the appropriate spot) about Community Bands. There are lots of pros and semi-pros posting here. I think the CB group could benefit by some feedback from others who are not former pros or semi pros but just want to play but may be frustrated by the traditional (social) Community Band structure. My view (Like GeorgeB) is the if you are a serious player, albeit a recreational player, you are limited by the expectations of the the preponderance of the Community Band. Namely, socialization, lack of practice etc.experience.

@Kehaulani
yes - i saw that -- trying to upload a pdf of the pubicity -- then tried jpeg -- not working

@fels

The New Horizons KICKS jazz band is presenting its Fall Concert November 4 in Colorado Springs. (Will post publicity brochure when reduce the file size). Program includes:

Orilla De Mar Jim Martin
Latin Snowfall Mancini/Fluck
Without a Song Kern/Stitzel
Watch What Happens Le Grand/Cervone
Stompin' at the Savoy Sampson/Holman
Livin' Larger than Life Baylock

Love To Barone
My Fonebone Mintzer
The Kicks Band Swings (the blues) Dean Mounts
Fly me to the Moon Howard/Nestico
Emancipation Blues Nelson
Muttnick Quincy Jones
Satin Doll Duke

I am not a N+1 player. I have purchased four trumpets since 1965. The first was an Olds Recorder. I was playing a Conn beginner horn and went to the music store for an upgrade (7th Grade?). I tested the Olds. The sales guy commented about the Eflat intonation , but i generally liked the sound.

1970 - Olds was stolen - needed a horn -- went to a different music store - different town - limited funds - they pulled out a Selmer Paris (very used) not to0 discerning -- good to go.

1983 - starting to get serious again - went to another store - asked for their pro models - Bach 37, probably a Severinsen - plus a couple of others. Valves on the Bach were superior, Bach had great tone - bought the Bach.

2014 - had been researching other horns for fun - friend (section player)said a local store had a Schilke X3 on sale - new -- tried it -- loved the sound - loved the valves - loved what i could do with it -- bought it.

Now I periodically pull out the Bach --thinking it may blend better in quintet or generic band environment.. But I still like the multiple tones and sounds i get from the Schilke. I can make it blend with whatever I am doing.

So for the time being, I am happy.

Tone -- Valves -- flexibility -- weight

@Dr-Mark
Training dogs and practicing the trumpet are similar endeavors. Once started, both require constant attention to detail and commitment of time. It is never "over."

Women sub in the Quintet and Jazz band i play in frequently. Very talented -

I remember when i was in high school -(mid 60's) there was perhaps one female trumpeter. Now i see more numbers. Anecdotal only. My point is -- Who cares. I would like to think that we are beyond all of that. But as an Anthropology major, these preferences and prejudices are slow to end. Consider Symphonic conductors. Very few women and slow to change. I remember living in Denver in the 70s and the guest conductor was Antonia Louisa Brico. How many remember can you remember?