Evaluating a new horn

brtech · Regular Member Joined: 02 Aug 2002 Posts: 61

Can anyone suggest a good sytematic way of evaluating a new horn.

_Don Herman · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:35 am Post subject:

Go to the Schilke Loyalist site, then the Gearhead (I think). Jim Donaldson has presented a procedure for testing horns.

Actually, I checked, and here's a direct link:

http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/Testing%20a%20Trumpet.html

HTH! - Don
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Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

Martin · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:48 am Post subject:

Hi Don!

One topic, two threads, two identical responses!

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All the best

Martin
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"I have found that it is enough when a single note is beautifully played." - Arvo Pärt

_Don Herman · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:01 am Post subject:

Hi Martin -- Great minds... At least I tell myself that!

I saw the second post after I had responded to the first; oh well!

Jim's a GREAT guy in person, fwiw.

See ya'! - Don
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Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

Martin · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:08 am Post subject:

Don,

I knew you´d have the same idea. But aparently, time (zone) was on my side...

I only know Jim through e-mail - he was so kind to answer a couple of Schilke questions, and I ended up buying a mouthpiece from him. Clearly a very nice man.
_________________
All the best

Martin
_____________________________________________________________________
"I have found that it is enough when a single note is beautifully played." - Arvo Pärt

_Don Herman · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:21 am Post subject:

"But aparently, time (zone) was on my side... "

Ha! I've been trying to race time for years, but it's always in front of me anyway...

Take care - Don
_________________
Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

Martin · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:50 am Post subject:

Dang!

If you have to quote me, you could at least correct the spelling mistakes!

...I´ll have to take more time next time, aPParently.
_________________
All the best

Martin
_____________________________________________________________________
"I have found that it is enough when a single note is beautifully played." - Arvo Pärt

_dcstep · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:53 am Post subject:

In addition to the guidance already provided, I'd like to suggest that a couple of mouthpieces with differing resistance and known quality can be helpful on a comparison safari. A mouthpiece that works really well on a Bach 37 may be too open for a Schilke B1 or a Wild Thing. You should start with your base mouthpiece and then try a slightly tighter piece if things feel too big and open, or, if things feel to tight, then try a piece with a more open throat and/or backbore.

I think entirely too many horns get dismissed as "stuffy" or "too open" because the auditioner was using the wrong mouthpiece for the horn. If you normally play a drilled 1 1/2C on a Bach ml 37, then a stock 1 1/2C might be a better choice on a Schilke B1. A slight change in throat and/or backbore can dramatically change your perception of a horn.

Just a thought, from hard won experience.

Dave
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Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
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