A Playable, Wooden Trumpet

When you think you have seen everything, along comes something new. In this case it is a trumpet made entirely of wood. When I say entirely, I mean just that as even the valve springs are fabricated from wood.

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What’s That Thing Called?

Click image to enlarge 1 – BELL & FERRULE (SILVER-PTD) 1-1 – BELL FERRULE 2 – FRONT BELL BRACE 3 – REAR BELL BRACE 4 – VALVE CASING ASS’Y BUFFING 5 – 1ST VALVE OUTSIDE SLIDE 6 – 1ST VALVE I/S SL. & FER. 7 – 2ND VALVE O/S. SLIDE. BUFFING 8 – 3RD VALVE I/S SL. & FER. 9 – 3RD VALVE OUTSIDE SLIDE 10 – MOUTHPIPE ASS’Y BUFFING 11 – FINGER HOOK 12 – O/S.TUNING SLIDE LOWER 13 – BRACE, V.C.= BELL 14 – BRACE, V.C.= M’PIPE 15 – D BRACE (3) BELL TO 1ST O/S. SL. 16…

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Is A “pTrumpet” In Your Future?

Many have asked if the pTrumpet is a serious instrument and I am ready to voice my opinion (if anyone really cares for my opinion). As some of you may know, I am currently performing every Friday and Saturday in my Dixieland band in Branson. What some of you may not know is that I am performing on a trombone! And that instrument is constructed entirely of plastic and fiberglass. Yes I am a confirmed Pbone performer and you may want to read more about this instrument in a couple of my previous posts- 1. Has Your Faithful Blogster Turned…

What You Need To Know About Hearing Loss- Part 2

If you have read my first post on reasons for hearing loss, you may be interested in some information  I have collected which could help you to select some tools to help prolong your current hearing condition. Are earplugs the solution to attacks on your hearing? The use of ear plugs have saved untold numbers of people who are faced with the constant barrage of high volume noises in their daily work. Factory workers, sheet metal shop owners as well as rock musicians are all face with the same dilemma- the need to protect ones hearing in a very inhospitable…

Be Careful What You Ask For!

In our last post I invited comments on the subject “Why Brass at Christmas Time” and I did get a question. But it wasn’t what I expected. I thought I would have comments such as “What’s so bad about woodwind quartets”? or “You’re an idiot”, you know the usual responses. What I recieved was something quite different. The question- “What are you most popular arrangements”? As with most comments, I will respond as best I can. My top 20 most popular brass arrangements during the Christmas season are the following starting with the most popular. 1. Mary Did You Know-…

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I ran into an old friend today….

While rummaging through my files today, I discovered a long lost friend from my past… The name of my old friend was Vassily Brandt “Etudes for Trumpet (Orchestra Etudes and Last Etudes), Edited by William Vacchiano. Not only are these excellent exercises to learn some of the most recognized orchestral excerpts, but when you get back to the “Last Etudes” section, hold on to your eyeballs for this had to be written by the most vicious practitioner of the instrument. Just when you get used to a pattern, he changes directions and you fingers feel as if they were bent…

Better Living Through Chemistry

When the PBone first appeared on the market, many trombone players were very skeptical as to the quality and sound this plastic oddity represented. Gradually the response began to filter in and player’s acceptance steadily grew. More and more professionals began to show up on the stage with these less than average instruments and were seen in many well respected ensembles including the David Letterman show, the Boston Pops, and many other professional groups. Today, the original PBone has made its way into high school and college marching bands and the obvious advantages are well documented. Advantages of the original…

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Introducing…STRATOS- Embouchure Training Device

A less known yet still controversial tool has been discussed to great lengths lately and the item is called STRATOS. If you search the leading trumpet bulletin boards for this new invention you will find a mix of pro and con reviews which would lead one to assume the product does not do what it claims. Because of several reasons (mostly the exorbitant cost) few that dislike the product have actually tried the attachment and believe it does not do what it claims and the supportive reports are submitted by those who have purchased and used the product. Any time…

Who ARE Jim Morrison

On May 9th of last year I posted information on a “not so well known” musician who for some might not know. His name is James Morrison. This is a promotion video for his new CD “Snappy Too”. For additional information on Mr. Morrison, visit my original page from last year.