Quarter Tone Trumpet

JazzBird · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 251

I just came across this horn

http://www.marcinkiewicz.com/instruments/rembrandt/bflat/quartertone/quartertone.htm

I have only ever played Bb trumpets (with 3 valves) and have no idea how fingering works on these. Is the idea to add the 4th valve to your standard fingering to raise or lower a quarter tone ? Any insight or link to an article explaining how a quartertone trumpet works would be appreciated. Anyone play one of these ?

Very curious...

riffi1 · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 3:48 pm Post subject:

This looks very interesting! I have some recollection that when I was a teenager (mid 70's) one of the big manufacturers brought out a trumpet with a 1/4 tone valve. Holton seems to stick in my mind? Now my interest is aroused I will have to do some more research

Rod
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plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 2744

Yes, Holton made a four valve quarter tone trumpet for Don Ellis. They included it in their catalog so anyone could buy one.
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riffi1 · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks Plankowner... I'd forgotten about Don as he died in 78 but the memory of his unusual horn lingered

It was first made in 65 at Don's request although he did ask for it earlier and got no respose from Holton until he discovered that another manufacturer in Europe had made one for another experimental player. It was in the Holton catalog as I had a blow on one when I was about 17... very different! He played in Maynard's band before going out as a soloist and band leader and played the Firebird (valve/slide trumpet) and Superbone as well, both of which were made for Maynard by Holton. There's alot of info on the web including video etc of Don..interesting stuff

Rod
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So many horns...so little time

JazzBird · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 251

Interesting...thanks plankowner / Rod...I will go see if I can get some Don Ellis recordings where he used that horn

Rod...how did the Holton play ? I know it was a while ago

StevenPSparks · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject:

Don's "Electric Bath" is what you want. There are others with the quarter tone horn (Tears of Joy & Connection come to mind), but Bath is the one for me. Enjoy!
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JazzBird · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 251

Thanks Sparks ...I will check those out

riffi1 · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Jazz Bird.... it was a nice horn to blow as were most of the Holtons I tried. The 4th valve threw me off at the time, I just found 1/4tones too much to deal with

Rod
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So many horns...so little time

samlg · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:

http://www.donaldbousted.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm

i went to a lecture from these guys. very interesting stuff. they also talk about music in 16 divisions instead of 12! its quite cool what you can do with quarter tones, and there is quite a list of music building up for quartertone trumpet. i wish i could get my hands on one.

have fun, sam

trumpetmike · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:50 am Post subject:

My beginner students manage microtones on standard instruments!
Maybe I should take some lessons?

badocter · Veteran Member Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 413

dan_ostler · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:52 am Post subject:

Schilke was also making quartertone trumpets in the Don Ellis period. One of them ended up in the hands of a guy playing in the Kenton Orchestra.

It seemed like a great idea at the time, but no one make any musical sense out of it. Lip bends turned out to be more musical, not to mention more cost effective.
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plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 2744

trpthawaii · Regular Member Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 81

Don Ellis "Live at Fillmore" will be released on CD July 12! I've already preordered my copy.

CD Universe: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?style=music&pid=6876122&cart=251665359

Mark Minasian

Mlockman · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:12 am Post subject:

Don Ellis was one of my all time favorites. He is one reason i am still playing today.
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steevo · Veteran Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 191