Help with descriptions of playing characteristics

FrankM

Can anyone help me to a deeper understanding of how words are used to describe playing characteristics? I read numerous descriptions on here, yet am never sure whether I understand. Talking sound here, not mechanical issues.

I've just read a comparison of an Olds Super with a Yamaha 634, posted in 2009 by member p76, and it made me think if I could get descriptions/comparisons by those of you who have played horns I own, it would would give me a greater insight.

I'd be interested to hear how you would describe any two of the following. These were selected over my various Bessons & Selmers because I imagine more of you will have encountered them

Conn Connstelation 36B (Elkhart)
Yamaha 634
Yamaha 6335H
B&S Challenger 1

Thanks, in anticipation, Frank

Retlaw · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:20 am Post subject:

This should be a good thread... I can't describe the sound of the suggested horns because I have not played them! But......perhaps I can make a start and others will follow. Here is a Super being played and described a bit... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHLJd3I-vIQ

Words?

Solid core..... central sound that is solid not diffused..then again it depends if you have your hearing aid in or not.

Walter
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kanemania · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:32 am Post subject:

The 634 is rough-hewn and austere, with subtle notes of oak and raspberry.

The 6335H is a bold little charmer, insouciant yet naive. I think you'll be amused by its presumption.

veery715 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

Retlaw · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:44 am Post subject:

crzytptman · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:51 am Post subject:

Retlaw · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject:

yourbrass · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject:

These are the sorts of threads that are impossible. Pretentious wine-lovers language is as good as any to describe sound coming from any given player playing any given instrument.

It's totally subjective, unless, you and another party are in a room and he or she can listen to what you're playing and comment upon it. That's the only way I know of. Written descriptions of sound? Forget it.

kalijah · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:35 pm Post subject:

Amen!

And "Core" is the most stupid word in the language of trumpetspeak.
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VetPsychWars · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

BobList · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

Actually, if you let your mind accept it, you can describe a horn's sound using color descriptions.

" The Selmer had a bluish-purple center, transitioning to deep gold, and in outwardly radiating concentric rings, changed to yellow, ending in shimmering silver around the edges"

See? not so hard, I'll bet you had a great visualization of the sound of that trumpet. Solid core sound, with a richness of tone, and a bit of "brightness" .

A "dark" sounding horn would have blues, greens, and purples, maybe some scarlet, but might be lacking the yellow, silver or white descriptions. No sparkling bright colors, but maybe a deepness of color would describe that horn.

Gotta let your brain imagine. colorize the sound.

Bob List
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VetPsychWars · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject:

What if my brain is color-blind?

Tom
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Retlaw · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:45 am Post subject:

Wine experts’ recommendations are of no use to most drinkers because their palates are not sophisticated enough to appreciate the subtle flavours, research suggests.

Prof John Hayes, director of Pennsylvania State University's sensory evaluation centre, said: “What we found is that the fundamental taste ability of an expert is different.
"And, if an expert's ability to taste is different from the rest of us, should we be listening to their recommendations?"

I guess it all comes down to the language we have used for years... diffused/solid core...bright ....dark...warm.....vanilla!

At the end of the day what is the point.... buy a horn you like..... play it in front of ten people and make good music. I doubt they will tell their friends the trumpet players horn had a warm, round sound with a solid core. Of course for us geeks we can pontificate here on TH all day long or just buy a Bach with it's benchmark sound.....

Walter
_________________
"Amazing how many people listen with their eyes."
"Relax and focus on becoming a trumpet player."
"Googlegurge" we can now all be intellectuals.

p76 · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:25 am Post subject:

LittleRusty · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:11 am Post subject:

@BobList,

Nice idea, but my mind didn't make the connection. I believe that some people who have perfect pitch "see" colors for different pitches.

@Retlaw,

Actually in blind testing some wine experts aren't able to distinguish the good wines from the bad. I listened to a NPR segment and the tests they cited showed that perceived quality going into the taste test resulted in the highest rankings.

When told the good wine cost significantly more the experts liked the good wine and had positive descriptions of its attributes. In the next test when told the bad wine cost more, they thought the wines were different than the first round, they preferred the bad wine.

chuck in ny · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:47 am Post subject:

as far as wine goes, vin ordinaire (?) is fine by me, whatever local wine goes down well. trumpets, i am more fussy with.
i can't describe sound worth a hoot either other than a general idea.. chuck