Posts made by SSmith1226

@administrator
One spout for tea, one for coffee, and one for hot water?

@1973-LS4 said in My New Trumpet:

@SSmith1226
Sounding great, Steve! What a cool instrument.
Next time play a little of the Liberty Bell March by Sousa.

Willy,
The Pukaea sound has somewhat of a “woody” character to it. I don’t think that is sound that Sousa was striving for, but I will give it a try. If it works out I’ll come down and rejoin the Florida Keys Concert Band on the Liberty Bell if I can play the First Pukaea Part.
Thanks for the compliment, and please say hello to the rest of the band from me!

Just to add a little more context, below is an explanation of each instrument as well as a video I took at a Māori Cultural experience. In the video you will see that many of the participants, both males and females, have extensive facial and body tattoos. This is called “Moko”. An explanation of Moko can be found below the video.
A "pūkāea" is a large, wooden trumpet used by Māori people in New Zealand, known for its use in signaling, both during war and for ceremonial occasions.
Here's a more detailed look:
What it is:
A pūkāea is a wooden trumpet, often made from a split and hollowed length of wood, bound tightly together with vine.
Size:
They can range in size, with some examples reaching up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length.
Usage:
War: Traditionally used as a loud, dramatic signaling device during times of conflict.
Ceremonial: Also used during times of peace, such as for announcing events and welcoming people.
Agricultural: Used in rituals associated with planting and harvesting crops.
Construction:
The mouthpiece end is called the "kōngutu" and the bell-shaped end is called the "whara".
Sometimes the flared end had wooden pegs added to make it resemble the human throat.
Cultural Significance:
Pūkāea are part of the family of Tāne-mahuta, the Māori deity of the forests and birds.
Other Names:
Sometimes referred to as "war trumpets," but their use extends beyond conflict

The pūtātara is a type of trumpet used by the Māori people of New Zealand. It is customarily made with a carved wooden mouthpiece and a bell made from New Zealand's small native conch shells (Charonia lampas rubicunda) or triton shell (Charonia tritonis).Larger pūtātara were particularly prized as the triton shell was rarely found and only sometimes washed up on the beaches in the Far North. It is often blown in guest welcoming ceremonies.

Māori Cultural Experience-Rotorua, New Zealand

Youtube Video

You will notice in the video that both many men and woman have facial, as well as body tattoos. This is called “Moko”. "Moko" (or Tā Moko) refers to traditional Māori tattooing, a significant cultural practice that signifies prestige, authority, and identity, and often tells the story of the wearer's ancestry and achievements.
Key Aspects of Tā Moko:
Meaning and Purpose:
Moko is a form of body art with deep cultural significance, marking rites of passage and significant life events. It serves as a visual representation of a person's rank, tribe, lineage, occupation, and exploits.
Men and Women:
Traditionally, men had full facial moko, while women often had moko on their chins (moko kauae) and sometimes lips.
Ancient Tradition:
The tradition of Tā Moko has a rich history, with the practice continuing today, though it has seen periods of decline and resurgence.
Motifs and Symbolism:
Each design is unique and carries symbolic meanings, for instance, a koru (native fern) symbolizing new life and growth.
Process:
Moko was traditionally created using tools made of bone or wood and pigments derived from natural sources.
Revival:
There has been a revival of both full-face moko for men and chin tattoos for women in recent decades.
Tā Moko and Kirituhi
Moko has in recent years been divided into two main branches; Tā Moko and Kirituhi. Tā Moko is primarily for those of Māori blood and descent, while Kirituhi is for those of non Maori heritage

Having spent the last seven weeks in Australia and New Zealand, I visited a “ Māori Trumpet Shop “ in Auckland, and expanded my collection with a Pukaea and tried out a Putatara. I already have a Conch Shell so I passed on the Putatara. In the meanwhile, I will try and perfect the Hummel Concerto on the Pukaea. Below are photos of the Pukaea and the Putatara and a video of my first notes on each.
You will notice the device added to the Pukaea that adds weight to the trumpet and “enhanced the sound as well as creates a intonation correction”. It also wards off evil spirits.

Pukaea

Putatara

Youtube Video

@J-Jericho
After watching this documentary I have developed a tremendous amount of admiration and appreciation of what he accomplished.
At age 90 (on March 31) he is still performing.
Youtube Video

I just watched this fascinating BBC Documentary featuring Herb Alpert. It’s about 1 hr long, but at least in my experience, was well worth the investment of time.

Youtube Video

@Bb-Brass
Unfortunately GeorgeB passed away in 2023.
Below is a link to his obituary. He was a very nice gentleman as well as a frequent and relevant contributor to this site. He has been missed.

https://eaglesfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1444/George-Bellefontaine/obituary.html

@Dale-Proctor
Excellent points- 7FL & Bach 7 is a deep cup. Agree with your analysis, probably a cornet mouthpiece.

@Newell-Post

The following site addresses the differences in the various Flugelhorn Shank sizes and gives a list of the various brands of Flugelhorns that use each shank size. You have a Small Morse, or Bach Shank, which would explain your ill fitting mouthpiece.

https://bobreeves.com/blog/the-ultimate-flugelhorn-mouthpiece-shank-guide/

While traveling in Oamaru, New Zealand, I stumbled on this mounted underwater photograph taken by artist Maclean Barker. The canvas was already mounted on a wood frame. The gallery would not ship it to the United States, so I was unable to purchase it. I thought some of you might find it interesting. Does anyone want to identify the make and model?

Speaking of AI….

Youtube Video

Youtube Video

Youtube Video

@administrator said in Vuvuzela:

Are these instruments made in Venevuvuzela?

Maracas, Venevuvuzela

@J-Jericho said in Vuvuzela:

Interesting. I always thought these resembled the smaller of Tutankhamen's trumpets, and now we hear something similar with more contemporary music. I suppose that intonation in the first video suffers due to the tongue-in-cheek method, whereas the second is very nicely done.

I agree completely. As well, the Vuvuzela is a plastic version of animal horns such as the Shofar and African Kudu Horn.

Good news!!! When I directed the above post to my friend J.R., and asked whether he would object to his name being used, he answered, “Why not. My reputation is already trashed”. Therefore, we should all thank Jeffrey Roth of Miami for bringing the Vuvuzela to light, and invite him to become an active member of this forum!

A friend of mine, and fellow trumpet player, who is from Miami, just shared this breakthrough video with me introducing me to the Vuvuzela. I assure you that this is not X Rated, even though it sounds like it should be! It is a Bb instrument popularized in South Africa, used primarily for cheering in soccer stadiums. It also has tremendous potential for legitimate performances.
The first video is an introductory video, while the second is a complete Vuvuzela Quartet performance. I am greatly indebted my good friend, J. R.. I have used his initials only, in order to protect his privacy. If his true identity were made public, the overwhelming response would never allow him to have peace in his private life. Incidentally, there are surprisingly many boutique manufacturers of Vuvuzelas. When I searched Vuvuzela on Amazon, I stopped counting after the 71st listing.

Youtube Video

Youtube Video

@barliman2001 said in Christmas stand-in...:

Just got a call from a choir conductor... he needs me as second trumpet in Mozart's Piccolomini Mass on Christmas Day...
modern, well-heated church, playing in the organ loft (civvies permitted)... so all the plans of spending Christmas Day with my mother-in-law went overboard - no turkey for me!

Tough choice!
Mother-in-law

                             vs

                                   Gig

@robertwerntz said in Bach AP 190 S Piccolo Trumpet:

@SSmith1226 well thats great news - sell now to avoid the old joke about not wanting our wives to sell the stuff for what we tell told we paid for the stuff LOL

This is not a joke! This is a real concern!

@administrator said in Doubling on alto trombone:

Which reminds me....Maynard had some kind of frankenhorn with both a slide and valves. Anybody remember what this thing was called?

It was a “FireBird”, Holton ST303. You can buy one from Gamin Brass on eBay for $14,000, or Berkley Winds, a Chinese brand, makes a facsimile that on eBay for $1250. A friend of mine has the Berkley model but pointed out to me that it’s trombone slide was also the tuning slide, therefore not very practical.

For sale is a Schlub Brassworks Top Action Rotary Valve Bb Flugelhorn finished in clear lacquer and engraved. It includes two mouth pipes, a Wolfpack Case, and both a Warburton 2FL G, and a Warburton 2FL B mouthpiece. I am the original owner. It has minimal playing time and is in mint condition. In Raw Brass a new Schlub Brassworks Flugelhorn costs $4500. Lacquer, engraving, case and mouthpieces brings the brand new cost to at least $6500. This instrument, including the above is offered at $4,000. This advertisement will be removed on January 16, 2025. If you have any questions, I can be reached at 305 664-7296 or at SSmith1226@aol.com