Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:07 am Post subject: Flugelhorn sound
So, like usual, people talk about a "real cornet sound" (there isn't only one) and also a "real flugelhorn sound".
Now I know what French style flugelhorns sound like as I played a Noblet in high school's solo/ensemble, and of course who hasn't heard of Chuck Mangione? I know that there are German style flugelhorns, mostly rotaries?
Is there any number of "flugelhorn sounds" that are equally valid? Or, in other words, what do you mean when you talk about a "real flugelhorn sound"?
I know what my Buescher flugelhorn sounds like, and it sure isn't airy/fluffy, but that's not necessarily wrong, either. I'm currently playing it with a Wick soprano piece that sounds a lot like the (cornet shank) piece it came with.
Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1887 Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject:
Listen to Arturo Sandoval's ballad album "A time for love" and you will hear the sound I strive for on Flugel. Lush, warm, expressive, halfway to French horn.
Ack van Rooyen is the man in Europe on flugel.
Also he is an exponent of the more French orientated European flugel sound I prefer over the for my taste too woolly American trombone-orientated flugelsound. Excuse moi, it has only to do with taste.
Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 1765 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:20 am Post subject:
To me, Ack doesn't have the French classic flugel sound, nor does he have the "wooly, American" sound. To me he sounds like he's playing a trumpet... _________________ 1970 Bach 37 Strad
Yamaha 635 flugel
Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Posts: 392 Location: Somerset, UK
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:30 am Post subject:
Rapier232 wrote:
It's a flugel. Throw away that soprano mouthpiece.
Yep - I like 'em big and deep
PS - +1 to Arturo's Flugel sound - to me the best modern Flugal player around but CT rules thel older roost. _________________ Eclipse Enigma
Benson Brevette 1950 Flugel
Curry 3C Custom, Bach 3C, HT Jazz
Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 1765 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:48 am Post subject:
delano wrote:
Adam V wrote:
To me, Ack doesn't have the French classic flugel sound, nor does he have the "wooly, American" sound. To me he sounds like he's playing a trumpet...
That is indeed the American point of view.
I beg to differ.
Guido Basso and Til Brönner both have that light, fluffy, French sound (NOT "American" or trombone-like in any way), and they certainly don't sound like trumpets. _________________ 1970 Bach 37 Strad
Yamaha 635 flugel
Some really nice playing and maybe you can compare. I definitely prefer Thierry Caen's sound.
I think Mr. Caen's playing a B&S Brochon fluglhorn and Mr. Burgstaller is a yamaha-guy. Not a big difference but Burgstaller sound more like a trumpet to me.
Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 3137 Location: London UK
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:00 am Post subject:
There appears to be room for all kinds of flügelhorn sound influences, with most determined by the player rather than the equipment. My favourite European flugelhorn sound of late belongs to Ruud Breuls. This clip contrasts his flügelhorn sound with that of his trumpet. Both nimble and refined, but one is nonchalant while the other is more incisive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_-F6UV1FCo _________________ Eclipse Enigma Bb trumpet 2011
Olds Super Bb trumpet 1958
Eclipse Red Flugelhorn 2011
Selmer Paris model 59 Piccolo 1977
Conn New Invention Cornet 1913
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:57 am Post subject:
Very interesting.
For those who picked mellow jazz pieces, that's not what my flugel sounds like unless I use a funnel-looking 1900s cornet piece. (Remember, my flugel uses a cornet shank.)
Of the others mine sounds more like the Iwan Williams and Jason Carder examples... but there's more there. More body to the sound. More bold. More power, even when you're playing softly.
One thing's clear, we like what we like.
Attached is a picture of what mine looks like, it's a little funny-lookin' but I love it. Why wouldn't I, it's a Buescher? For those who care about such things, it's a medium-large bore. I'm guessing they had the more Germanic style of music in mind when they made these in the late 20s through late 30s.
I'm kinda partial to Derek Watkins sound on flugel. Listen to his take on MacArthur Park on you tube to see what I mean. Gorgeous. He also switches to trumpet in that clip, so there's a good comparison of sound.
Michael _________________ Selmer Radial Bb ML - Jan., 1972
Selmer Radial C XL - Jan., 1972
Getzen 580S cornet - c. 1973
Blessing Artist Flugelhorn, rose brass bell
Accent Picc by B & S
Conn 28B Concert Grand Bb - 1925
Martin Handcraft Imperial - 1937
I can't say what a "real" flugelhorn sound is - I think I have a real flugelhorn sound (Benge #5 bell)! But I can tell you what I prefer - and I can't believe Freddie Hubbard hasn't been mentioned yet. Roy Hargrove & Till Bronner are also my among my pantheon of great flugel sounds.
I love the sound of a 60's Cousenon. One of the things that kind of messed up using really deep dark equipment in the 70s and 80s was the popularly of "Feels So Good"
Playing Cs and Ds with ease and in tune on a flugelhorn was required for years after that tune was released in 78. _________________ Schilke B5
Couesnon Flug (1967)
Funk Brothers Horn Section/Caruso Student
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