I played a Conn 28B Constellation between 1953 up until I stopped playing in 1965. I loved that horn and kicked myself in the ass for selling it. I am now three years into my comeback and finally playing a Conn again. This time it is a 1999 Conn Vintage One 1BR-46 Trumpet that I got from Trent Austin and it is a honey.

I like that TrumpetBoards saw fit to have a place for come back players. I came back to playing in the spring of 2016 at the ripe old age of 80 after a 51 year hiatus. Those 3 years up to now have had plenty of ups and downs, including 3 lip injuries last year, but things are really starting to work out for me. This year I have changed bands because the one I belonged to since the fall of 2016 was no longer challenging enough. The one I recently joined offers plenty of challenge, including being able to play beside a 30 year pro trumpet player who goes out of his way to help me learn the band's extensive play list. Right now I am in Trumpet heaven.

I hope other come back players here will join me in sharing our trials, tribulations and, most importantly, our successes and joy from playing the devil's instrument we all love so dearly.

I am pleased to report that rehabilitation is going well. Starting to regain lost endurance an inch at a time. My range still a little weak B to high C above staff, but that will work itself out as my playing improves. I played about 45 minutes of our 90 minute band practice last night, dropping an octave when needed and this morning practice went well.
The band will be playing at a special Battle Of Britain memorial service this Sunday, consisting of Canada's National Anthem, God Save The Queen and 7 selected Hymns . Nothing difficult here so I will play the entire service.

I want the good doctors here to know that I am truly thankful for, and following, their advice.

George

Next Wednesday our band is booked to play a reception for A Volunteer Award night. The event runs from 6:30 to 9:00 pm and we play as people arrive and at various times throughout the evening. Below is our play list :
Cabaret
Alley Cat
Disney Film Favorites Medley
Snowbird
King Of The Road
Over The Rainbow
Rock Around The Clock
Pennsylvania Polka
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Mambo No. 5
Looney Tunes Overture
What A Wonderful World
Colonel Bogey March
The Way We Were
Hawaii Five O theme
Sweet Caroline

Lots of lip burners here. I hope I survive...

My longest layoff was 51 years. I had played between 1953 and 1965 and by the latter the good gigs were disappearing . It was also a time when work and family needed full time attention so I just sold my Conn 28B and concentrated on my career in printing and publishing and it was a move that paid off. After my wife of 57 years passed away in 2012 my world turned upside down. After three years of existing in a dark hole I finally started to see light again and in March 2016 I felt it was time to get back at playing the trumpet. Playing again became my salvation.

I love the 1952 silver plate Selmer Paris medium bore Bb I purchased from

ACB in 2016 and now I have added a companion in this gorgeous 1959

Selmer Paris 24B K-Mod medium large bore Bb in lacquer.

This is a honey with a rich warm tone and will serve as a backup to my Manchester Brass band horn. It is in beautiful condition. Of course it came from ACB.

Well my Olds Recording arrived on Tuesday and I have been playing it mornings and afternoons ever since. I think my other horns are getting jealous.

Fortunately it arrived in perfect condition. And I do mean perfect. This baby looks like it just out of the showroom. It is 3 years younger than me ( 86 in July ) and in much better shape. I had a hard time finding any wear, but there was one tiny area at the bottom of the 3rd valve casing. The previous owner must have had a sweaty left hand pinkie. The rest of the horn is immaculate. This was a well cared for horn.

Because it was recommended to use a thicker grade of valve lubricant, I am using Berp #3. It may have helped, but there was plenty of compression and I am sure a #2 grade would have been just as good.

It is a balanced horn, the only one I have ever owned. Maybe that is what makes the Recording so versatile. I played classic, jazz ballads, swing and even some country music and it was fantastic.

It may not be the best playing trumpet in the world, but IMHO it is certainly one of the best.

All the good things I have heard and read about the Olds Recording are absolutely true. I am one huge happy camper.

And musn't forget Josh and Nate at Austin Custom Brass who go out of their way to make your purchase a pleasure.
George

The subject of buzzing, for or against, is not one worth arguing IMHO.
I know players who say it works for them and those who say it doesn't. No harm in hearing the discussion of why in both cases, but really, it isn't life or death were discussing here, folks.
Also, If everybody here, or elsewhere, always agreed on subjects, it would be a pretty dull place to visit.
George

This was posted at that other site by Jens Lindermann :
A salute to the Covid 19 health care workers by 32 trumpet stars :

I am 83 and playing first trumpet with one the best local bands and everything that report says is dead on. I played trumpet in the early 50s and 60s but stopped for career and family reasons. Fifty years later, after three terrible years grieving over my wife's death, I started playing again ( almost 4 years ago now ) and playing music became my salvation mentally, and in many ways, physically.

@kehaulani
Wow, thanks, kehaulani. That will keep me busy for awhile.

George

@trumpetb

Yes, that answers a lot of questions I had. Thanks for the video and the comments.
I wasn't questioning Kehaulani. His knowledge of music is way above my head and I have much respect for him for many reasons.
George

@kehaulani
Can you name a couple of J.S.Bach's solo works that might be on you tube ? I would like to hear him improvise.
George

@ssmith1226

Well, I've heard worse attempts at singing, including my own, but all in all I'd say, good job, Steve. And a nice production you put together, too.
George

@barliman2001
Strange that you should recommend donating unused mouthpieces. I, too, have assembled many mouthpieces in the past 7 years since my return to playing. And just two days ago I had some that were definitely of no use to me and I donated them to the local middle school band where we practice. There were 5 trumpet pieces and two cornet pieces all in excellent condition and by top names such as Curry, Bach, Getzen and Stork.
You are correct, sir, it is always a good thing to donate to deserving causes, and having our youngsters involved in music is one of the top causes I support. I recently donated a Flugel to this same school for use in their jazz band.
George

@ssmith1226
I bought the dvd when it was released several years ago. Good acting by Ethan Hawke, who took trumpet lessons so he could look more believable as Chet Baker, but it was indeed the Canadian player who did the actual playing, and he was fantastic.
I don't know how much of the film is factual, but it got good reviews from those who knew Chet so I'd guess it was an acceptable attempt. I watch the movie once or twice a year and always enjoy it, even though the ending is downbeat.
George

@barliman2001

I'll check that out.
George

@barliman2001

Thank you, sir for those videos. Wow, your wife is so beautiful and that voice...the voice of an angel. You must be so very proud of her. Thank you again.
George

@administrator

Probably wouldn't be worth the cost.
George

@barliman2001

I don't recall hearing your wife sing on a posted video. Is it possible you could do that one of these days. I would love to hear her.
George