Birthday present

dqope21 · Regular Member Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 22

Hello Everyone,

My sons birthday is coming up soon. He is turning 16 and I am wondering what to get him. I'm certain that he wants something trumpet-related as he is a very competitive high school trumpet player who has made All-State band several times. Any suggestions on gear that would be make him happy?

Thanks

jhatpro · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject:

Depends on your budget, of course, but here are some possibilities:

New practice mute to use at school. See thread elsewhere on TH for ideas on brands, including Best Brass, Bremner, TrumCor, and others.

New, lightweight, backpack style case to get his horn around campus. Top of the line would be a Torpedo, Walt Johnson or Marcus Bona. Much less expensive but very protective as well would be a Gator.

iPod and some CDs of top players to put on it.

Subscription to iTunes or Classical Archives.

I'm sure others on TH will have more suggestions. Thanks for checking in with us. He's lucky to have such a thoughtful parent!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

gillie89 · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject:

Subscription to International Trumpet Guild if he isn't already a member. I know it's not gear, but it is a great publication and there is a student subscription rate. Go here for info:

www.trumpetguild.org

Gillie

The Red Baron · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

Great suggestions, Jim and Gillie. I'll second the vote for a Torpedo case or an ITG subscription.

If he has a silver Bach, a gold trim kit might be nice. Like a new case, though, it's a little on the pricey side.

Here's a recent recording he probably doesn't have yet. It's superb.

Way to go the extra mile!
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kanemania · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

Get him a matched collection of some of those old-school red-and-white Humes & Berg Stone Lined big band mutes: the Glen Miller Tuxedo Plunger, the Pixie Straight Mute, etc, etc, etc. They're fun, they're fairly inexpensive, they sound great and they look cool lined up together.

trpt.hick · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject:

Two books that make good birthday presents:

THE TRUMPET by Edward Tarr
TRUMPET PEDAGOGY by David Hickman

www.HickmanMusicEditions.com

etc-etc · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 6192

Give him a Torpedo Bag!

ltkije1966 · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject:

-torpedo gig bags are the coolest! http://www.torpedobags.com/torpedobags/pricing.htm

-in-the-bell trumpet stand http://www.music123.com/K-M-Trumpet-Stand-450293-i1141979.Music123

-tuner/metronome combo

-nice folding stand http://www.wwbw.com/Peak-Music-Stands-Portable-Music-Stand-459529-i1425482.wwbw

-nice regular stand and light http://www.wwbw.com/Giardinelli-Universal-Klip-Light-810029-i1156153.wwbw

-i-tunes gift certificate

-wwbw/music123 gift certificate

-concert tickets for him and a friend or two

Hack001 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Posts: 1685

Give him a trip out to get a custom mouthpiece made

www.karlhammonddesign.com
www.grmouthpieces.com

That would be incredible.
_________________
Practicing is for the insecure.

bilboinsa · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

More and more students are using digital recorders to learn with, so you might consider one of those.
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Peter Bond · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:32 am Post subject:

4thcavbugler · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:40 am Post subject: Birthday Gift

I suggest mute(s) and/or a trumpet stand, if he doesn't already have one. For the mutes, ask him what he specifically wants/needs! When I was a kid, I would been overjoyed if someone had asked what mutes I desired!

I never have enough instrument stands, so that's what I personally respond with, when asked about gift suggestions.

veery715 · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:22 am Post subject:

Here's a link to Hickeys Music trumpet catalog. You son could browse and pick out his own gift(s):

Hickeys Music Trumpet Catalog

veery

butxifxnot · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 2353

If he's in HS, then new mutes and new stands would probably fit into more the category of stuff that he might NEED rather than want; and if he doesn't need them, then they won't be as fun to have anyway.
The other ideas (except the Humes and Berg, I hate playing on those, but that falls under mutes) are gold. Music, concert tickets, case, trim kit, mouthpiece fitting, a new flugelhorn, an ITG subscription, all great.

A note about bags: soft bags aren't very protective, but hard cases are either extremely large or too small to hold things like folders and mutes. I've recently converted to a bag: you just have to be nicer with it and careful to place it where it won't get stepped on.
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dqope21 · Regular Member Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 22

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies! I'll definitely look into these suggestions. For the mouthpiece custom makers, how would he choose the right mouthpiece when there is this huge barrage of choices!

ltkije1966 · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

Hack001 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Posts: 1685

With a custom mouthpiece fitting, what typically happens is you go to the artist, he will sit down with your son and the two of them will spend a few hours pinpointing exactly what he wants and sounds best on. Then the mpc guy will match your son with a stock piece that fits him well or construct a completely new custom piece for him. IMO, Karl Hammond makes the best mouthpieces, stock and custom.
_________________
Practicing is for the insecure.

crzytptman · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

Does the kid take lessons? If so, than his teacher is the one who should direct the mouthpiece issue. If not, then get him some lessons!
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The Red Baron · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

Yeah, I agree with Nate. It's a really thoughtful idea, but high school players don't need custom mouthpieces, and messing with his current equipment might be unwise.
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Another kill for the Red Baron!

fraserhutch · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:30 am Post subject:

If he's thinking of being a pro player, just about now would be a great time to start investing in a trust fund for him

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