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yoelarry
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Joined: 19 Jul 2009
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 Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 3:44 pm Post subject: ‘54 Committee too flat to play in tune |
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HELP !!
My 1954 Martin Committee Trumpet will not tune to 440 A.
I play either a Curry 3C mouthpiece or my JetTone Studio 10 MD . If I play my B to tune to A 440 with all the slides completely in the horn is still flat. The compression is great. Valves tight and no leakage.
Suggestions please!! |
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kehaulani
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Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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That sounds bizarre. Maybe get another accomplished trumpet player to play it and see if s/he has the same or different results.
I would also give it a thorough cleaning although I don't see how that would fix the overall pitch, that's at least eliminating one other possibility. Likewise, I doubt that this the problem, but your mouthpiece just might be too big for you.
If all else fails, see your local tech for an in-person blow.
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JayKosta
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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Will the open 'trumpet C' tune to Bb on the electroninc tuner?
With the open C tuned to concert Bb, can you play good sounding major scales?
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yoelarry
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| If I play a B on my trumpet with the slides all the way in. I am still too flat to tune to A 440. |
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LittleRusty
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| JayKosta wrote: | Will the open 'trumpet C' tune to Bb on the electroninc tuner?
With the open C tuned to concert Bb, can you play good sounding major scales? |
This is an excellent question as it is normal to tune the open horn.
In the OP’s case this could resolve to something as simple as the second valve crook being too long. But we won’t know if that is possible until the OP answers the question.
Also having someone else, especially someone accomplished, play the instrument and see the same issue exists would be a step closer to answering the OP’s question.
I am assuming that the OP is not new based on the terms (s)he uses, but if (s)he is that might be contributing to the issue. |
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kehaulani
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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| LittleRusty wrote: | | This is an excellent question as it is normal to tune the open horn. |
Which brings up another point. Are all other notes also flat?
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yoelarry
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I only tried tuning to a A440 app tuner. |
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Man Of Constant Sorrow
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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Bizarre.
Calls for a Conn Strobe-0-Tune.
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Man Of Constant Sorrow
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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One possibility could be that the mouthpipe ("leadpipe" to the uninitiated) may have been shortened at some point ... as in a careless repair, where the pipe was cut, and re-attached.
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SilverSpunk
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Man Of Constant Sorrow wrote: | | One possibility could be that the mouthpipe ("leadpipe" to the uninitiated) may have been shortened at some point ... as in a careless repair, where the pipe was cut, and re-attached. |
This is VERY possible, I've seen a few Committees that had their leadpipes shortened. If that is the case then the OP should look into a replaceable leadpipe. |
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A_Ason
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 12:00 am Post subject: |
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| Man Of Constant Sorrow wrote: | | One possibility could be that the mouthpipe ("leadpipe" to the uninitiated) may have been shortened at some point ... as in a careless repair, where the pipe was cut, and re-attached. |
If the mouthpipe is shortened, the horn should become sharp, not flat, right?
To me, it has happened that horns have been too flat, and I had to have them fixed by cutting the tuning slide a bit.
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JoseLindE4
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 12:17 am Post subject: |
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| I’d double check that my tuner is actually at A440 and not some higher standard. I’d also check to see if some transpose button was pressed on it. |
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A_Ason
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 12:39 am Post subject: |
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| JoseLindE4 wrote: | | I’d double check that my tuner is actually at A440 and not some higher standard. I’d also check to see if some transpose button was pressed on it. |
Try to compare with another horn, both played by you. I normally play with a low-centered pitch (not necessarily a bad thing), and have had issues with more than one horn.
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Man Of Constant Sorrow
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 3:59 am Post subject: |
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| A_Ason wrote: | | Man Of Constant Sorrow wrote: | | One possibility could be that the mouthpipe ("leadpipe" to the uninitiated) may have been shortened at some point ... as in a careless repair, where the pipe was cut, and re-attached. |
If the mouthpipe is shortened, the horn should become sharp, not flat, right?
. |
Hmmm ...  Yes - I believe you are correct. My mistake.
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Brent
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:36 am Post subject: FLAT |
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I would suggest contacting Charlie Melk. His repair work is second to none, and he makes replica lead pipes for Committees, if that's what is needed.
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OldSchoolEuph
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:44 am Post subject: |
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This should start with the basics, not one note.
First visual inspection: are there indications of resoldering on the horn? Does the mouthpiece seat properly? Are there an large dents? Does the spit key leak?
Next, spend $15 for a Korg pocket tuner on Amazon and then
- Start with open tuning C (will show as Bb)
- The progress to other partials up (shows as D and F) and down (shows a F and Bb)
- Do the same for second valve (A, up to C# and E, down to E and A)
- Then 1st (Ab /\ C, Eb, \/ Eb, Ab)
- then 3rd (G (may be a hair flat) /\ B, D (these will be flat) \/ D, G)
Map the horn.
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kehaulani
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 6:34 am Post subject: |
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BTW - Leadpipe:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadpipe
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
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Liberty Lips
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:25 am Post subject: |
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| Forget the pocket tuner - just find a piano that has been tuned recently. |
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kehaulani
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:27 am Post subject: |
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And what's wrong with a pocket tuner?
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
YTR-8310Z II Bobby Shew
Getzen Capri Cornet
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LittleRusty
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:44 am Post subject: |
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| Liberty Lips wrote: | | Forget the pocket tuner - just find a piano that has been tuned recently. |
Pianos are expensive and much harder to carry around in your pocket when compared to the pocket tuner.  |
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