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A Timeline of Trumpets



 
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Jim19043
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:56 am    Post subject: A Timeline of Trumpets Reply with quote

I just acquired a copy of Ron Berndt's 2017 book "A Timeline for Trumpets - Collecting the History of Modern Trumpets." Amazon sells this self-published 297-page softcover book for $35.00. The book represents what must have been a massive and lengthy research effort, taking the reader on a deep dive into the 19th and 20th century history of brass instrument design, manufacture and marketing. Along the way, the author examines changes in musical fashion and manufacturing methods, and how those factors influenced trumpet design and playing over that period. I found the many linkages among the designers, makers and sellers of brass instruments to be especially interesting.

The book is organized chronologically, and does not have an index or table of contents, which makes it a bit difficult to use as a research tool. It would also benefit if the many excellent photographs and illustrations could be more clearly linked to their captions in the text, perhaps by numbering them. Finally, I wish the author would consider adding - in a later edition - either a notes section or footnotes citing the sources of his information. He has put in so much effort to research, gather and present this information and make it available to players, collectors and historians, the addition of source information and other editorial features would make it an even more valuable reference.

I really enjoyed reading this book, even in its present format.
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MalinTrumpet
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:34 am    Post subject: A Timeline of Trumpets Reply with quote

Yes!
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Danbassin
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's a great resource, but perhaps aimed more closely at the trumpet-loving public than trumpet practitioners/researchers with academic focuses. What's your area of study? Are you familiar with Sabine Klaus's volumes of historical brass through the National Music Museum's Utley Collection?

If there's anything in "A Timeline for Trumpets" you're interested in discussing further, let's get the conversation started here!

Happy practicing, and happy researching -
-DB
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Daniel Bassin
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Jim19043
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Daniel. Thanks for the reply. Although I know of the Klaus volumes, I have not read them. I will take a closer look, and perhaps invest in them. My observations on Berndt book probably stem from both my years of law practice, and my post-retirement researches in art history.
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Jim19043
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Jim19043
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Daniel:
Thank you again for reminding me about the Klaus volumes. I bit the bullet and sprang for volume 3: "Valves Evolve." Now that's what I call an outstanding example of scholarship (and publishing). Between the excellent photographs and very detailed diagrams it is a real feast for the eyes. I've just begun to read the text, but I can already tell it's going to be engrossing. As expensive as these volumes are, I plan to eventually acquire the other 4 volumes (2 in print and 2 more to be published later).
Have you been to the National Music Museum in Vermilion, ND? I would love to visit there someday and see the Utley collection in person. I'm sure it would be fascinating to speak with the curator, Sabine Klaus.
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Jim19043
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OldSchoolEuph
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 10:25 am    Post subject: Re: A Timeline of Trumpets Reply with quote

Jim19043 wrote:
I just acquired a copy of Ron Berndt's 2017 book "A Timeline for Trumpets - Collecting the History of Modern Trumpets."


Wow, I didn't see this thread till just now. You bought one of the last 4 copies of the first edition.

A second edition was released on March 21st with about 25% more content including many of the tables found at trumpet-history.com, 740 pictures, tables and graphs, 411 unique models shown, full chapters covering the last two decades, mention of many more earlier makers and designers, stories Dale Olson, Byron Autrey, Roy Hempley and others contributed after the first edition came out, and a few corrections...

Jim19043 wrote:
The book is organized chronologically, and does not have an index or table of contents, which makes it a bit difficult to use as a research tool. It would also benefit if the many excellent photographs and illustrations could be more clearly linked to their captions in the text, perhaps by numbering them. Finally, I wish the author would consider adding - in a later edition - either a notes section or footnotes citing the sources of his information.


Well, win-some, lose-some.

There is now a formal chapter list, defining them by period. There is a lengthy subject index, and an index of models depicted for the benefit of repair and restoration folks who I am told have been making their own. The jumbled ramblings of the last chapter are now more concisely organized after separating out the 21st century content into those two new chapters.

There is not any footnoting or "see fig 127" elements one would find in a scholarly paper. I find these distract when reading - and this is a story, not a thesis. Also, many of the statements and conclusions are not drawn from one source so much as my take, often compromise, among many. I will confess that numbering illustrations is tempting because then the text can be divorced from the image, making space allocation much less of the massive pain it was - but I really hate when the image isn't right by what I am reading.

HERE IS THE SECOND EDITION TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Contents
Introduction Page 3
In the Beginning [200000 BC – 2750 BC] Page 4
Trumpets as Musical Instruments [2750 BC – 1750 AD] Page 6
Modern European Brass Making Begins [1750 AD – 1800 AD] Page 9
Chromatic Brass Take Hold [1800 AD – 1850 AD] Page 11
Band Music becomes Popular [1850 AD – 1860 AD] Page 16
Troubled Times [1860 AD – 1880 AD] Page 18
The Trumpet Matures [1880 AD – 1890 AD] Page 32
The 1890s [1890 AD – 1900 AD] Page 46
Bugles for the Military [1892 AD – 1894 AD] Page 65
The Twentieth Century Dawns [1900 AD – 1905 AD] Page 68
Rapid Expansion [1905 AD – 1910 AD] Page 81
A Time of Growth and Change [1910 AD – 1915 AD] Page 98
The Rise of the Trumpet [1915 AD – 1919 AD] Page 118
Post-war Prosperity [1919 AD – 1925 AD] Page 146
Boom and Bust [1925 AD – 1930 AD] Page 163
The Great Depression [1930 AD – 1940 AD] Page 184
The Second World War – Production Halts [1940 AD – 1945 AD] Page 213
After the War [1945 AD – 1950 AD] Page 225
The 1950s [1950 AD – 1960 AD] Page 237
Popularity Wanes [1960 AD – 1970 AD] Page 252
Cars & Instruments: Global Competition Heats Up [1970 AD – 1980 AD] Page 275
The Reagan Recovery did not extend to Band Instruments [1980 AD – 1990 AD] Page 286
The 1990s [1990 AD – 2000 AD] Page 296
The New Century [2000 AD – 2010 AD] Page 301
The Teens [2010 AD – 2020 AD] Page 308
In Conclusion Page 319
Appendix A – An essay capturing a transitional moment (Changes at Bach) Page 324
Appendix B – Fred Forman’s Cornet (The life of a musician) Page 337
Appendix C – Table of selected maker’s bore sizes and codes Page 347
Appendix D – Table: Bach Stradivarius Design Evolution by Period Page 347
Appendix E – Table of H.N. White Trumpets and Cornets Page 348
Appendix F – Table of Distin Serial Numbers and Locations by Year Page 351
Appendix G – Table of Holton Trumpets and Cornets Page 352
Appendix H – Table Standard Configuration Calicchio Trumpets Page 355
Appendix I – Table of FE Olds Trumpets and Cornets Page 356
Appendix J – Table of Martin Band Instrument Co. Trumpets and Cornets Page 357
Appendix K – Table of Leblanc stenciled Courtois Trumpets Page 358
Appendix L – Graphical Representation of Knowledge Transfer Page 359
Subject Index Page 360
Index of Models Pictured Page 366
Acknowledgement Page 373


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to Sabine's excellent academic works, I also recommend the growing list of books by Dale Olson, with one on mouthpieces due out shortly. And, of course, his book on the psychology of play testing is the defining work in the field.
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Ron Berndt
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Jim19043
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I missed Ron's 2nd edition by a few weeks. Ron has made many improvements in what was already a very interesting and useful book, and I look forward to reading the updated edition. When I do, I will approach it in the spirit Ron intends: as a story!
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Jim19043
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Jim19043
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ron: well done! I did as suggested and approached your 2nd edition as more of a story, and it's a fun and really interesting read. Besides adding the table of contents and subject index, there are more illustrations and tables and text. I especially liked your observations about the ebb and flow of the brass instrument business in response to national and international events; they add a valuable dimension to the book. Without disrespect to Sabine Kraus, I interrupted reading her work on the high brass so I could dive into your revised book.
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OldSchoolEuph
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it!
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
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1957 Holton 27 cornet
1985 Yamaha YEP-621
1975 Yamaha YEP-321 Custom
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1975 Olds Recording R-20
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OldSchoolEuph
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FYI: Amazon has significantly lowered the price. I can now buy copies cheaper as a customer than as the author.

Not sure how long this will last . . . .
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
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1975 Olds Recording R-20
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Crazy Finn
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I snapped one up not long ago because of the price. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Someday, maybe I'll actually play my trumpet, again....
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