Tips for a beginner who's not allowed to play in his apt.

bear30101 · Regular Member Joined: 05 Sep 2015 Posts: 89 Location: Ga.

Myrup,
I don't have experience with the Silent Brass, but I did have the great pleasure many years ago, of playing next to Gil Rathel for some months. While I do not know his home practice routine, he did extensive pre-show warm up/ practice, with a harmon mute. He is a lead player with power and endurance, extensive range and technique, and extreme accuracy. The extended practice with harmon certainly did him no harm.
IMHO you must absolutely find someplace to play open horn for a few minutes every day. The space should be "live" acoustically. (In a stairwell, gymnasium, or aimed at the inside/outside of a masonry wall.) But the scales, arpeggio, intervals, articulations, tunes and changes you can master in muted practice are endless.
_________________
searching

chuck in ny · Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 1:05 pm Post subject:

etc-etc · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 6184

razeontherock · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:10 pm Post subject:

If there is something to the glass blower profession as developing the blowing muscles, it might be a good idea for the OP to get large equipment such as Maynard Ferguson played. Very open blowing, so over blowing is not as much of a problem, and it has advantages other than a big powerful sound.

Even so, I would continue with whatever horn and mouthpiece you have, and learn to take it easy; i.e., refine the airstream. And don't limit yourself to a few notes, play the full range! Up as high as you can.

trumpetera · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 2:20 am Post subject:

With that logic, I would not be able to play the recorder. Or whisper.
_________________
Principal trumpet Gothenburg Opera Orchestra
Bach LT 37 Bb (Mr. Findleys old)
Bach Mt Vernon 1957 Bb
Bach NY ML 1943 vintage Bb
Very old YTR-6335
Bach/Malone/Lechner C
Malone-Bach 229 C
H.Ganter Bb
Schagerl Wienna (older model) C
Parker Natural

Craig Swartz · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 1:28 pm Post subject:

You already have the Silent Brass- correct? Use it with a better set of noise cancelling headphones, turn it up to about the volume you feel is correct for the effort you are making and have at it. Over the years I used one quite a bit and also bought 6 or 7 from here and eBay to lend out to my inner city 'hood students who didn't dare practice trumpet in the apartment or the local dealer would do drive-bys at them later. When my college prof student moved back to Japan after a couple years, I gave her one so she could keep up her practice there. She also runs a line in and plays along with Abersold and the like, which is another perk for using it. I've had little issue with them personally or in using them with students so long as they use phones and turn them up. Without the electronics there is usually a problem with either back pressure or overblowing. Good luck.

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

1jazzyalex · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:04 am Post subject:

Except, does he live in a high-crime area? I doubt he does.
_________________
Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A

Craig Swartz · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 12:39 pm Post subject:

The cold temps in Sweden might be more of a problem for busking than the dirtbags.

GRVTrumpet · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:40 am Post subject:

For me...I have a silent brass. Not my favorite option. I prefer to use a Harmon mute with tissue stuffed in it. Adds a little resistance but the closest to playing normal that I have been able to find.
_________________
Bb: Bach - 190S37 - 50th Anniversary Horn
C: Yamaha Xeno "Chicago" Series - Gen 1
Picc: Shilke P7-4
Eb/D: Schilke E3L

HornnOOb · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:36 am Post subject:

I was in your situation for a short time. What I did, is make arrangements to practice at the local college and would also practice at low volume in my apartment with an adjustable cup mute. If you don't have a college close by, go to a community center, recreation hall, Elks. Moose or Masons lodge and see what you can work out. A community theater during non-use hours? You may also be able to join a beginning level band class at your local college or university - without being a student. Often, colleges open their band programs to non-student adults.

As others here have said, there are always opportunities - just think outside the box. Perhaps there is a local music store that offers lessons? And maybe if you took lessons there they might let you practice in their music rooms during off hours?
_________________
I rode in on a horse and can't seem to get out of L.A.

Severinsen Destino 3*
1971 Getzen Eterna 900S Severinsen Model
1984 Getzen Eterna 896 Flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special Cornet

Denis Wick 1C Heavytop
Getzen Flugel 3C

stanton · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 8:38 am Post subject:

I feel your pain. Since moving into a condo my trumpet practice time has dwindled radically. I have have tried MANY practice mutes. I have an original Silent brass and have played the new model. And the new model is a significant improvement. I also have a Don Maslet practice mute as well as a Best Brass knockoff. The one that provides the least resistance but cuts the volume well is the world famous Renuzit mute. I like it because it is the lightest weight and cheapest of them all.

No practice mute will provide a lot of musical satisfaction, sad to say. But if you need time on the horn and have no place to play open we only have what we have. If you are just starting out on trumpet, you do need to go out into an open area. I don't think playing in your car is ideal because the constricted space has its issues as well. So, as others have mentioned, if weather permits, just go outside somewhere.

Good luck.
_________________
Schilke B1, Bach 37, 1969 Getzen Severinsen Eterna
Bach C 229 w Charlie Melk custom work
Getzen Eterna Cornet, Crappy old Yamaha 3valve Eb
Stanton Kramer "Signature" Mouthpiece

Jazzalive · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:20 pm Post subject:

I got one of these and it's very helpful. I still don't practice in the late evening or night. My neighbors haven't complained yet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Microphone-Studio-Voice-Booth-Isolation-Box-/252142628089

Hugh Anderson · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 398

Tell us more about this pillow box. It is possible to play extremely softly. Believe it or not.

Jazzalive · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:31 pm Post subject:

Like I said, I still practice don't late evenings, but it does reduce sound quite a bit. My wife says it reduces volume about 50%. Not perfect, but I can play mp and mf without difficulty. No fear of driving the neighbors, nor her for that matter, crazy. I have tried Yamaha silent mute and a few of the other practice mutes mentioned here. None of them worked for me. I will say this though... playing into the sound box all the time means it takes a few minutes getting used to playing open again when I'm at rehearsal or band practice, or any other time I can play open. I seem so LOUD!!!!

But I get reacclimated pretty quickly. I'd say it's worth the investment and I recommend it to all apartment dwellers.