Which Trumpet should I buy?

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If you are a beginning student and are interested in starting trumpet/cornet, your music teacher will be able to guide you in this area. Usually your first instrument will be rented which gives you the opportunity to find out if you want to continue. If you have been renting and now want to move up to a better instrument, continue reading. Reading advertisements on the attributes of each trumpet can be confusing for every manufacturer claims their instrument is the best. With this in mind, let me point out some important issues you will need to know when considering the…

Update From The Dark Side

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This is another update from the DARK SIDE. For those unfamiliar with my use of this term I will explain. This past Christmas my wife gave me an unusual gift for a trumpet player… a trombone. It wasn’t that she dislikes my trumpet playing for she has far less desire to listen to a struggling trombone player. I have always wanted to play trombone even as a child. Fortunately I went the way of the valved instrument and have been very happy with my decision. But now I have the time and desire to learn a double and the new…

What You Should Know Before Buying A Flugelhorn

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To many people, the flugelhorn is a unique and interesting instrument. It looks bigger than a trumpet and in some ways it is bigger. It is heavier and has a larger bell. But when stretched out to its full length, a Bb flugelhorn is exactly the same length as a Bb trumpet and cornet. That’s why they are all pitched in Bb. The difference in tone quality between the trumpet and the flugelhorn can be explained in the same way as the difference between a cornet and a trumpet. Both the trumpet and the cornet are the same length but…

Guidelines When Including a Trumpet In Your Wedding Ceremony

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In order for the wedding planner, bride, mother of the bride and/or musicians to save time, important terms and their definitions which will be used are listed below and should be helpful to lessen the potential of any misunderstanding. Terms used when discussing music concerns for a wedding- Music- Any compositions played by an instrument or sung by a voice. Song- Any musical composition with words and performed with the voice. Prelude music- Music to entertain guests as they enter hall and find their seats. Processional music-  Music performed to indicate the entrance of important people and the wedding party.…

Curry Sound Sleeve Mouthpiece Tone Intensifier – Review

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(The following is taken from their home page) Standard Sound Sleeve is best for all-around work, balanced to give the right amount of slot-lock and sound centering qualities. Sound Sleeve “Y” model fits slightly higher up on the shank to accommodate the longer Yamaha andBenge trumpet receivers. Lead Sleeve is designed for upper-register playing, where you want a maximum amount of control without hindering high notes. It weighs nearly as much as the standard Sound Sleeve, but since it’s mass is distributed over a greater length, it’s effects are more subtle. MEGASLEEVE is designed for players that want to add that Heavy-weight…

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Classical Musician and Jazz Musician – What’s The Difference?

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My Observations You might think that this is a joke, something like- “There is no difference, neither one can make a living”. But that would be silly. My discussion is geared more towards the intellectuals among us. Those who ponder the real meaning of questions such as “How am I supposed to finger that trill?” or “How long does that idiot think I can play that last note without breathing”? Let me assure you, this is a serious question and I will try to illustrate the interesting relationship between the two contrasting styles of music. In the history of trumpet…

Product Review – Yamaha PM7 Silent Brass System Pickup Mute

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Created by Yamaha’s wind instrument design team, the PM7 Silent Brass pickup mute is made of lightweight plastic, with a unique rubber sealer to hold it securely in the bell. When used with the Silent Brass system, it has none of that stuffy restricted feeling of conventional practice mutes. In fact, it blows so close to a natural open horn that you simply won’t believe it until you actually experience it for yourself. Play high or low, loud or soft, and your pitch will remain true and centered. A special microphone inside the mute relays your sound to the Personal Studio. Product…

Opening The 42nd Annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Festival

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Some jobs are taken for the money, some are taken for the prestige and still others are played only because they are fun and that’s what the past week was all about. A very good friend invited me to play with his Dixieland band at the opening of the Bix Beiderbecke Dixieland Festival in Davenport, Iowa. From Branson to Davenport is no less than 8 hours drive away but due to the fact that we had not played together for 45 years, I agreed at once knowing that friendship and good music trumps all distance. The setting was the Porch…

Improved Long Tones- Part III

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Now that the dust has settled and we have heard from a reasonable number of readers about the importance of Long tones, I think it is time to review our material as I see it. My original statements regarding the three elements of long tones- 1.Boring, 2. Adds to stiffness, and 3. Does not make money still stand. Some readers understood that I am not against long tones or their obvious benefits, while others misinterpreted my meaning, thinking that long tones are not beneficial. My goal was to create discussion as to a better way to use long tones which…