Water Key Developments For Trumpet

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Many changes have been made in the trumpet in the past few decades and one of the earliest was the modifications on the simple condensation extractor (water key). Few changes were made until Getzen came out with the Amado water key. This revolutionary mechanism was designed to fill the gap made by the traditional hole extension and water key. This new concept worked extremely well if maintained properly. Unfortunately, few of us read the fine print in the manual and from time to time the valve would stick open or closed depending on your luck at the time. With proper…

How and When To Use A Plunger…..”and which one”?

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Obviously most people know the “When” and “How” use of the common sewer plunger but many trumpet players are not familiar with its use as a trumpet mute. Commercial plungers are available in most well equipped music stores and the offerings on line are numerous. Examples and instruction of the plungers use is available on YouTube as well. The design and cost of such plungers can be confusing and to help you decide on which one to buy or upgrade to is the purpose of this post. The common sewer plunger (small size) is the most widely used. The cost…

At Last, A Better Plunger!

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For those who occasionally pick up a plunger to entertain the masses, you may be interested in my new choice. This is available at Lowes for the modest price of $2.24 and with about two minutes to alter the original, you can have the best plunger I have ever used. Modifying your new mute- 1. Place on table and with a hack saw, cut off handle to match included picture. 2. Sand smooth if need be. 3. Pick up in left hand. 4. Place in bell. 5. Play a note as you move the mute around. ………any questions? If you…

Update on Stand Lights

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When a new product comes on the market, I usually approach it with abounding skepticism for it seems everyone has the best product and the best deal for every unsuspecting customer. But, when I was shown the Aria music stand light a few weeks ago, I knew I had to have one. My expectations for the perfect stand light are these- • An abundance of light covering the entire stand area • Convenient and secure attachment to the stand • No light distractions for the audience • Constructed to last • Long lasting bulbs • Even white light with no…

What is a Schilbach?

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In everyone’s life, there are things which we hold dear. It might be a sunset shared by a loved one. It might have been a soft touch from a very special persons hand upon yours. But to a trumpet player, it’s always that perfect trumpet. This is where my story begins. Early in the 1970’s I purchased what I thought would be my first and last C trumpet. Unfortunately, we did not get along very well. I expected more out of my new Bach CL 229L than it could offer me. And being the true hearted Schilke advocate that I…

The Transitional A/Bb Cornets- Did They Play In Tune? Part 2

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How the test was carried out I decided to prepare a test sheet which would include all of the notes from low B up to and including high C. In order to best represent each note tested, I used three preparatory notes which would give me a well centered pitch to be checked on my tuner. I have included a download of the sheet at the bottom of this post in case you would like to do the same test on your instrument. Originally I intended to test only the A/Bb cornet and my Bach cornet, but due to the…

The Transitional A/Bb Cornets- Did They Play In Tune?

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Shortly after posting my article Why Did The Cornet Become a Second Rate Citizen?, I became more interested in the Cornet and one of the questions which kept me up at night was this- “did the transitional cornets (cornets manufactured as a fundamentally A pitched instrument but converted to play also in Bb), play in tune”? I tried testing a Bb with its slides extended to an A instrument but the intonation was so bad, I gave up the effort. Then a good friend of mine said that he had an A/Bb cornet and would loan it to me for…

Practicing In Front of a Computer Screen

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More trumpet players are beginning to read their music off computer screens and this new trend has advantages as well as disadvantages as we will address. More players are beginning to take advantage of on line lessons through Skype as well as other programs and many times their material is sent to them as PDF files. Some may choose to download and print this material so that they are able to practice in the conventional manner, using their music stand to display their material. Some, on the other hand have begun to read their material off the computer screen, thereby…

What is the Best Trumpet Case? Part 4

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Listed prices changing constantly! Single Soft Side Cases Now we have come to what I feel is the best compromise among all of the cases mentioned. The soft sided trumpet cases have advanced to the point that the protection is acceptable and the issue of excessive weight has also been addressed. If I were to purchase a new case for my horns, I would definitely go for one of these. Of the cases listed below, my choice would definitely be this one- Protec Standard PRO PAC Trumpet Case Price- $75.99/Material- Nylon/foam/Rating- 4-5 ***** http://www.wwbw.com/Protec-Standard-PRO-PAC-Trumpet-Case-540692-i1151238.wwbw Front section for music. Large accessory…