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Satchel
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:20 pm    Post subject: Miles grip and others Reply with quote

I noticed how identifiable the way Miles Davis hold his trumpet is: the whole left hand in the trumpet, pinky included, with a very tight grip, no slide ring, his left thumb high up, and the right hand free, little finger off the hook.






Many trumpet players have a totally different grip: loose left hand, using slide rings, right hand pinky in the hook. Irvin Mayfield uses a slide ring at his thumb.

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Last edited by Satchel on Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:33 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Oncewasaplayer
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting. I was always taught in my early years not to use the finger hook on the leadpipe (to reduce pressure).
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Sur
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was also taught not to use the finger hook unless you couldn't grip with your left hand for some reason (plunger mute for example) in order to avoid pressure. That's why pinky hooks usually have a ridge to rest your finger on top. The Martin Committee pinky hook is unusally smooth though, which makes it difficult to rest your pinky comfortably. I wonder if that influenced his decision to have his right pinky free. My left hand grip is similar to Miles'. I think it may be a carry over from when I started playing and my hand was smaller. Now it's a little crowded, but it doesn't feel right doing it differently.
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Satchel
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PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2021 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

During the recording of the soundtrack for "Elevator to the gallows" he's seen playing the long opening with this alternative left hand grip (perhaps for the cigarette).

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Robert P
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PostPosted: Thu May 20, 2021 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is that considered unusual? That's how I was taught. I've tried alternate grips, they don't feel natural to me though I've got large hands. A lot of players hold it like that. In most pics of Doc that's how he held the horn though I find a few from more recent years where he changed his grip at times. That's how Al Hirt held the horn even with his bear paw hands.
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Crazy Finn
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PostPosted: Fri May 21, 2021 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've always held the trumpet like that (maybe not tightly).

I was taught that way, I taught almost 20 years of students that way.

Most of the trumpet players I see hold it something like that.

Not unusual.
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chapahi
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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2021 1:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Part of that is the Martin Committee. The valve block is closer to the body than on other horns.
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zaferis
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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2021 5:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The left hand grips and controls the trumpet. Variations happen with trumpet/cornet and people. Size of hand makes a difference... most modern trumpets now have a first valve slide saddle or ring which changes where your left thumb sits. The goal is to hold/control the trumpet and be able to move both slides as needed - AND it IS needed.

I spend more time working on the right hand with students. Keeping the tip of the fingers (the area that touches a coin when you pick one up off of a table) on the valve buttons, a natural arch to the fingers, and generally the shape of a backwards "C" (like you're holding a cheeseburger) - Right thumb remaining straight and under the leadpipe resting between the 1st & 2nd valve (NOT hooked under the leadpipe before the first valve).. Pinky can be in the hook or free floating-as long as it is near the tip of the finger, not there to pull, and not changing the natural shape of the 3rd fingers arch.
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loweredsixth
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PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2021 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check out Wynton’s grip! This is a more recent development for him.


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Satchel
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PostPosted: Sun May 30, 2021 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And he pushes the valve with the second phalanx rather than the tip of the finger.

Love the sound of Wynton, but what an ugly trumpet! Is that a Monette?
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GeorgeB
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Satchel wrote:
Love the sound of Wynton, but what an ugly trumpet! Is that a Monette?


Yes.
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Satchel
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

loweredsixth wrote:
Check out Wynton’s grip! This is a more recent development for him
Now that you pointed it out, I notice it in videos. Check that 2014 video at Lincoln Center
https://youtu.be/hqpJH6p6Z2g?t=231

Perhaps it's more comfortable and has to do with the weight/size of the trumpet? Or perhaps he likes the way it affects the vibration ?

Check also Arturo Sandoval's grips:
2-down:


1-down (gorgeous horn!):


All-in:


One-up like Wynton above (but I believe it's a cornet?):
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/cuban-trumpet-player-arturo-sandoval-performs-live-on-stage-at-the-picture-id119941968

and...
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Trumpetstud
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is the trumpet Arturo is playing in your first pic? Looks like it has a sticker on it.
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Trumpetstud
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not sure, but I heard an interview with Chris Botti (audio so I couldn't see it) but he said he changed to a grip Wynton was using and his range went up a 4th (I think he said).

I tried using the same grip but its uncomfortable to me.
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Goby
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 1st horn Sandoval is playing (the one with the sticker and matte finish) is a Selmer Concept TT (check out the 3rd slide). I think that horn has Harrelson trim and possibly an aftermarket tuning slide, or at the very least, some “bling” on it. The second horn looks like an engraved Wild Thing, and the 3rd is a King Dizzy model with a sterling bell, I think.
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Bill Ortiz
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Trumpetstud, which grip was Botti referring to?
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Goby
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whatever it was, it likely changed his horn angle slightly and changed his "pivot" in the Reinhart sense. I do believe Doc Reinhart discovered the pivot system after his trombone came back from the repair shop missing its counterweight, lowering his horn angle and unlocking the high register for him.
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Bill Ortiz
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 7:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Understood Goby-it would be nice to know what the grip was.
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Trumpetstud
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bill Ortiz, It was an audio interview but then I saw a picture of Wynton with his index finger over the top of the horn. I just assumed it was that grip. It's just uncomfortable for me. He may have longer fingers though.
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Brassnose
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Late to the party but I have just discovered a new way of holding the trumpet which now turns out it’s the way Marsalis is holding his trumpet in the picture above - with the exception that I have the ring finger in the ring and not the pinkie of the left hand.

Reason for changing my grip is that my left thumb is going bad and I cannot open my left hand enough to accommodate the classical two up/two down grip anymore.

I did in fact also observe that changing to the Marsalis grip improves the sound quality and ease of playing because the trumpet is pointing more towards the floor and opens up the top lip for a lot more vibration. Can’t comment on the Reinhardt aspects because I have no clue but it improves my playing quite a bit.
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