That's a nice picture of a horn as your avatar. Is it safe to assume that you play?
I used to play in High School and last weekend I picked up a 1936 +/- Harry Pedler trumpet at the local flea market. It is one of the pro models and I couldn't quite get it to play well. I went to our local music store and picked up a beginners mouth piece and have been playing since then.
Do you have any helpful hints? I do the mouth piece work before playing and run the scale c-c, but I am having trouble getting below middle C or above High C. I seem to be stuck in one octave. But it has only been a week so I am not discouraged. At least I can make some noise that sounds like songs! (and my wife can even recognize the songs!)
Do you have any recommendations on music books? Do you have any beginner books you'd like to get rid of around the house?
Don
Trumpet
I suggest that you put the trumpet away, and just buzz the mouth peice until you get back in playing shape. Just using the mouth peice allows you to concentrate on the chops and the air without having to worry about wich valve you have pushed. I used to buzz along with the radio while driving. Then after you get back in shape, add the horn to the mixture. Also if you know which mouth piece you used in high school, get that brand and model. I played for about 12 years, and some of the beginner mouthpeices were painful for me to play on. You can get some very high quality mouthpeices on Ebay ofr $35. I had a Schilke 13A4a that I wish I had not given away. It was real easy to play in the high register and allowed the air to move. I gave it to a friend because I had decided to become a surveyor and quit spending soo much time on music.
Trumpet- Steve
Thanks for the response, Steve, I like to hear some music and since I can read music OK it's fun for me to play some simple songs. I do take my extra mouth piece with me and frequently "work out" in the van while driving to and from projects.
I can hit higher octaves with the extra mouth piece but not low C... the new mouth piece allows me get down to low C, and then low B and almost low A but not quite yet.
I can hit several different notes with the mouth piece, how many should I be able to identify? Is six my goal? 2 per octave?
Trumpet- Steve
My favorite method books are actually the Jamey Abersold play-a-long CD's, as you have a real band playing in the background and are forced into doing the total package of making music as opposed to just working technique.
http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/
Here is all you may ever want to know about all things trumpet. Check out the Comeback Player's forum, with lots of good tips about starting to play again.
The two biggies are, rest as much as you play, and find a good teacher. If money is an issue, check with the local college, they always have music education majors looking to make a few extra bucks. A beginning student will reap more benefits with an average (or inexperienced) instructor actually hearing them play than all the method books or gear combined.
BTW, the trumpet is a 1941 Conn 2B, and two weeks ago was my main trumpet. This week it is a 1958 Besson 10-10, and next week will be something else. I am more collector than player, but still try to get in a bit of playing time each day.
Welcome back! Some of the old Pedler trumpets were very fine quality, as good as anything made during the golden age of community bands and professional orchestras.
P.S. Steve's suggestion about buzzing the mouthpiece is a good one, as it does get a focused stream of air moving. Do siren calls to get the blood moving.
Trumpet- P.L.
Thanks for the tips guys!
Trumpet- P.L.
My Trumpet is a Bach 37 in Medium Large bore, with a highly modified Bach 3 mouth peice. I took it out of the case for the first time in 20 years a few months back and was embaresed it how I sounded. I am sure the neighbors are glad that I only played it for 30 seconds or less. I have several times thought about starting playing again, but just can't get motovated. Maybe I should start carrying my mouth peice and buzzing in my cubicle again. I'll bet my co-workers would really love that.
Trumpet- P.L.
The only upside to my present situation is I can pretty much practice any time I want, but ditto on the motivation thing.
Trumpet
I take my extra mouth piece in the field and play in the van (I work by myself!)
My dogs are less than thrilled with the "music" but hopefully they will adjust.
I am practicing daily and have built my endurance up little by little....... I can play for about 15 mins each time.
Trumpet
If you can go 15 minutes, make some time when you can play and try 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off for an hour. That's 30 minutes of practice and you will be surprised how little stress and soreness you get, as happens when you go that additional 5 minutes.
Giving your circulation time to get rid of the lactic acid will triple your endurance, could never understand how some of the greats could do 4 hour gigs and not be just destroyed. The truth is they had charts written to give them that short break necessary to revive.
So who do you guys listen to these days? There is a great St. Louis local player named Jim Manley with several CD's out, my favorite being one titled 'Alter Ego'. If you like Maynard and Cat, Jim is heir apparent.
Trumpet
That's a good idea P.L. taking breaks like that while playing!!!
had a great practice yesterday after work, and looking forward to tonights!
I haven't listened to trumpet since Al Hirt and Miles.... Saw Miles in Tuscallosa once and Al in New Orleans back in the late 70's....
Don
