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BraeGrimes Veteran Member
Joined: 14 Apr 2011 Posts: 269 Location: Australia
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 9:02 pm Post subject: I'm over it... |
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Hey THers,
I'm going to go on a mild rant here, because it's becoming a bit of an issue in trumpet mouthpiece marketing.
I've just checked out three new trumpet mouthpieces that are attached to artists with endorsements that these mouthpieces play "in-tune". Two quotes I found that I really despise are:
"The [redacted] is extremely predictable, in tune, and easy to play."
"Truly Equal-Tempered Octaves, for people who want the most effortless playing experience possible"
Ironically enough, in two of these cases the words "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" are emblazoned somewhere in the fine print.
I guarantee if you put these mouthpieces in an out-of-tune instrument, it won't fix the instrument's intonation. I also believe, that if you haven't worked on your intonation, these mouthpieces WILL NOT FIX IT! The idea that any instrument, mouthpiece, etc. is perfectly in tune is bogus.
A mouthpiece can improve your intonation or match the intonation of your instrument better, but it is simply not a one-size-fits-all thing. The inconsistencies in the gap between two mouthpieces and two horns should be enough to prove that (even if it's 0.001" of an inch difference, that's 1/3 of the difference between a ML and L bore trumpet!).
Please, please, please... use your better judgement before throwing away your hard-earned on empty promises. Try before you buy and know what you're looking for. |
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breden Regular Member
Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 33
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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I agree - and think it's very good advice. Just coming off of a very expensive safari with three horns from a custom trumpet builder. Wish I heeded the advice I was given before parting with the funds. Did recoup some but was a nice lesson for me to learn going forward. |
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LSOfanboy Veteran Member
Joined: 08 Jul 2018 Posts: 347
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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I'm fairly sure the second quote is straight out of the LOTUS mouthpiece marketing campaign....
Agree entirely with all your points.
All the best |
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trumanjazzguy Veteran Member
Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 403 Location: St. Louis, MO…or wherever the Ship I’m on is!
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 12:41 am Post subject: |
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Lotus-Bloatus-take-your-money-and-GLOATUS! _________________ TPT: Nova LA
CRN: Getzen 1950’s W/5.5in bell
FL: Jupiter 1100R
‘Pieces:
TPT: 34-throat shallow double-cup, Chet Baker’s Custom Schilke, Bach Corp 3, Bach Mt. Vernon 6C, Ken Titmus BF Custom(s).
CRN: NY Giardinelli 7SV.
FL: Yamaha Bobby Shew |
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Andy Del Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2665 Location: sunny Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:52 am Post subject: |
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Oh Oh! My turn to rant!
But mine is about music shops and the lies and garbage they say to make a sale. Some driven by volume discounts and sales targets from manufacturers.
I have NOT posted a detailed and possibly damning account of one of my local music stores. Suffice to say, it will be a cold day in hades when I darken their door again.
the lies in marketing, PLUS sales is unconscionable.
Rant over!
cheers
Andy _________________ so many horns, so few good notes...
Last edited by Andy Del on Sun Feb 10, 2019 11:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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veery715 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 4313 Location: Ithaca NY
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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The search for a quick fix/short cut is so ingrained in us trumpet players that we fuel the marketing. Some of the blame needs to rest on us. _________________ veery715
Hear me sing!: https://youtu.be/vtJ14MV64WY
Playing trumpet - the healthy way to blow your brains out. |
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starkadder Heavyweight Member
Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 542
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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For $$$$ I can add octaves to your range. Seriously. |
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Betelgeuse215 Veteran Member
Joined: 20 May 2015 Posts: 186
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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It's just like the Monette ad that you have to do some weird stuff to play in tune on a Bach mouthpiece. I do not tilt my horn in all weird ways, play in tune, and do not play a monette...
not trashing the product itself, just pointing out the marketing point |
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veery715 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 4313 Location: Ithaca NY
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 5:56 am Post subject: |
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Betelgeuse215 wrote: | It's just like the Monette ad that you have to do some weird stuff to play in tune on a Bach mouthpiece. I do not tilt my horn in all weird ways, play in tune, and do not play a monette...
not trashing the product itself, just pointing out the marketing point | However, you most certainly need to hold your face right. _________________ veery715
Hear me sing!: https://youtu.be/vtJ14MV64WY
Playing trumpet - the healthy way to blow your brains out. |
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yourbrass Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 3635 Location: Pacifica, CA, USA
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:42 am Post subject: |
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I've got a real nice Chinese instrument to sell you - guaranteed to look good and play perfectly in tune bugle calls. _________________ "Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/ |
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HERMOKIWI Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 9:40 am Post subject: |
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Many years ago there was a series of booklets authored by the fictitious "Professor Willem von Schmutzig" which were parodies on musical instruments. Some of these may still be available (see link blow).
The Professor's crowning achievement was the invention of the "perfect" instrument, which he named the "Schmutzolet" which looked like a vacuum cleaner with clarinets and oboes attached. It was electric and advertised to produce no wrong notes whatsoever and to always play perfectly in tune.
Fast forward to today and apparently lots of gadgets surpass even the Schmutzolet. At least that's what the marketing programs claim.
This kind of thing used to be a joke. In fact, the motto of the publication was "Soakum der Publicum." Today some people (actually a lot of people) take these kinds of claims seriously.
Here it is:
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/incomplete-method-fur-die-holzblasinstrumente-sheet-music/18113072 _________________ HERMOKIWI |
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Andy Del Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2665 Location: sunny Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 11:48 am Post subject: |
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The very best gadget I've seen is the breathing device which makes you suck hard to develop your breathing.
Ah - reverse pulmonary oedema, anyone?
I took one suck and told the store owner (the same one who insists on selling crap to my students) that if I ever saw one in the hands of my students I would report him for child abuse and produce medical evidence too back me up. Haven't seen it since...
cheers
Andy _________________ so many horns, so few good notes... |
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