Wow, sir, your experience scares the hell out of me. Even though my lungs are healthy, at 85 years of age, one never knows when something like pneumonia can rear its ugly head. I can't offer any advice, I just wanted you to know I feel for you and wish you a speedy recovery.
I'm sure Doc will reply to your thread once he sees it.
George
@dr-go
Nice band, Doc. Looks to be about the same size, with a similar mix of ages as the band I play with.
I envy you, though, because we are still only practicing, not entertaining.
I miss an audience, especially when they are dancing. I did so much of that kind of entertaining during the 50s and 60s.
George
This site has just started but is already a winner with members like DrGO and Tobylou8. Stay tuned...
@L-A-Horn Well, I guess you could try one of those new Chinese horns in the marketplace, but I wouldn't expect much for $350. If that is all I had to spend I would try to find something in a used Olds.
I don't doubt for a minute that you can get a good sound with a small mouthpiece. I played a Bach 10.5C exclusively between 1953 and 1965 and was told quite often that I had a good tone. The Wedge I play now is a bit larger than the Bach 3C, and its cup shape is somewhere between a C and V shape. This has really opened up sound for me with little effort. I only use the smaller 10.5C to extend my endurance when I do a lot above the staff, but I know I could get a pretty nice warm sound from it if, as Franklin said, I put time and effort into it. I think that would happen for Butch, too if he really likes the mouthpiece.
@dr-go said in Pneumonia - how long to pause?:
A few thoughts. The pleural effusion may still be present. It can take 3 to 6 months for this to resolve. The fluid will restrict lung volume with can make you feel short of breath. Alternatively it also takes 3 months for the airway inflammation to resolve. Bronchodilators really do not help much in either case.
I would recommend using the incentive spirometor that was introduced in a recent post. Also a 3 month course of an inhaled steroid may benefit. Also when sleeping at night, having a cool mist vaporizer may benefit in residual secretion clearance. We should never underestimate the healing power of water.
Getting a follow up chest x-ray in 4 to 6 weeks is advised.
Not sure if you had received the pneumovax series, but if not, I would advise getting this done to help prevent a future pneumonia.
Hope this advice helps
. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
I knew you'd eventually reply to this Thread. After reading all this I certainly do not want to get pneumonia. I will take your advice, Doc and get the needle.
George
Great work Wayne Mathisen, and all the other Waynes that worked with you in playing one of my favorite marches.
And I might add, a very ambitious project.
George
I have learned a lot just reading some of Robin's replies and suggestions to those who sought advice, myself included. He may have sounded pompus to some, but many knowledgeable people come across that way, though they certainly don't mean to. There were times in some of Robin's posts that he actually came across as being quite humble.
I'D LOVE TO SEE ROWUK COME HERE !!!!
@Kehaulani said in Best Off-brand Trumpets:
@GeorgeB said in Best Off-brand Trumpets:
@L-A-Horn Well, I guess you could try one of those new Chinese horns in the marketplace, but I wouldn't expect much for $350. If that is all I had to spend I would try to find something in a used Olds.
Just to clarify, Taiwan is not China.
True. In fact my Manchester Brass, along with Carol Brass horns are made in Taiwan at a well respected factory.
Hey, Butch, I totally agree with Rowuk. You really have to play a mouth piece for a few months to find out if it is really the one. In my case the Bach 10.5C, was my main mouthpiece for 12 years in my younger days ( 1953 to 1965 when I stopped playing). Fifty + years later ( 2016 ) I made a comeback and found the smaller piece did not work for me. After trying several different makes and sizes I settled for a Bach 3C for the first year, a Bach 5C the second year, and a Wedge 65MD for the past year or so. I liked them all, but each of the first two caused me some minor problems ( primarily with endurance and pressure ) that disappeared entirely when I started playing the Wedge. I would not be playing in the band I am with today if I wasn't playing the Wedge.
In my opinion the Bach 10.75CW seemed to be the easiest of the three for you to play the 2 octave scale. Why not give IT a really good tryout for a few months and then see how things are going.
@dr-go
I was sure you'd pop i n here, Doc. TJ needed that advice. You're a good man.
George
@dale-proctor
I've done some playing with a brass quintet. Unfortunately it broke up due to Covid. If we start up again I will suggest adding a percussionist. Sounds interesting.
@L-A-Horn My ACB Cornet doubler is Chinese made and the quality is quite good, though it can't hold a candle to my Conn 5A, nor do I expect it to.
@SSmith1226
A teacher I know was discussing mouthpieces for youngsters with me a while ago. For whatever reason, many trumpet makers include a Bach 7C with their student horns, and for many it works until they start growing and their needs change. This teacher told me he has pretty good results with moving some of them to a 5C, which is somewhere between a 7C and 3C. I'm familiar with the 5C and used it for almost two years during my comeback, but as my range went up the 5 just wasn't a comfortable piece. But honestly, Steve, it is hard to know what would work best for an 8 year old.
@ssmith1226
Hi, Steve, I fully intend to listen to her. She was particularly happy with the surgery and though she said a week to ten days, but she did add she felt a week would be fine if I did exactly what you suggested in taking things slow and easy. Look, I am two months away from turning 87 and I hope to be playing the trumpet when I am 100 
so I am not a man who takes foolish chances. Thanks so much for your expert input, Steve. And thank you, too, Jericho
And, BTW, the eye is coming along just great with no pain and no discomfort.
George
Definitely different. You know, this is the first time I ever heard him swing. And man, he can do it.
I played a lot of golf in my younger years. Like the trumpet, it can be a psychological thing and drive you mad....
Speaking of Getzen, I recently bought a new 490 at half price and though it is considered an intermediate horn I am really liking it as much, if not more than a couple of my professional horns.
Waiting for the picture!
I don't have an I-phone. The only thing I have is from the brochure...
That is a BEAUTIFUL horn, one that for sure would make my heart race!
So the Getzen is responsible for my medical condition...well the kick I get from playing it makes it all worth while...
I know what it's like to be forced to play lead. Although we have 5 trumpets, two play 2nd book and three of us play 1st with a more experienced high range player doing lead duties. But he lives an hour and a half drive away and is often a no show when the weather is dirty. That leaves me or a female playing first and she doesn't have the confidence to play lead. In fairness to her, she has only been playing 4 months after a 12 year hiatus and she is still working on her high range. So that leaves me, the old timer whose lips have trouble with Gs, A, and Bs when they are frequent. Fortunately the conductor is a gentleman and I can drop an octave when necessary...which is often. But good for you, Butch. That smaller mp looks like a winner for you.
