Don't laugh, but I just bought a Frumpet - UPDATE!!

bitripper · Regular Member Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 48

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3717865472&category=16215&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

Ok - tell me what an idiot I am, but I figured for a $119 bucks, it was worth trying.

At least it will make a nice lamp?

[ This Message was edited by: bitripper on 2004-05-07 14:42 ]

James B. Quick · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:

I bought one in a pawn shop once. It didn't have a mouthpiece with it, and I didn't take a good look at the horn like I should have. I was just so pleased that I was buying a bass trumpet. Okay, you can laugh now..... jbqd

Trptbenge · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:03 am Post subject:

For $119 you can't go wrong. If you don't like it you can resell it on ebay. Who knows you may like it.

Mike
_________________
It's the sound that makes the difference!

bitripper · Regular Member Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 48

UPDATE - I got the frumpet and have been playing it about a week now - this is the coolest thing!!

It is a blast to play and a very easy blow. hardly any resistance. Has been good exercise for 2 main reasons - takes a lot of lung power - get out of breath playing - and requires a more accurate embrochure control than the trumpets. I had heard that french horn players had loose lips - now I know what they are talking about!

I had read that these things play horribly out of tune, but I have found that most any tuning issues can be corrected with slight adjustments in the embrochure - another good practice when going back to my main horns.

In essence Its a lot of fun and I think I'll keep it!

plp · Posted: Fri May 07, 2004 3:30 am Post subject:

Bought one last year, and like you said, they are a blast to play. My son messes with it from time to time, and says the intonation is actually better than the student line french horn he plays. Thought maybe I could transition him to the frumpet and reclaim my flugal, but he ain't buyin' it.....

bitripper · Regular Member Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 48

pfrank · Posted: Fri May 07, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

I have the exact same experience on mellophone (a Reynolds Contempora F and Eb). I've found that it's great to play it when my trumpet chops are very tired and even sore. When playing trumpet is a drag. It's like a bunch of high pedal tones you can have fun with. It records very well too. (BTW, it's the 3rd mellophone I've owned and the only one intune with itself high and low)

The problem in live situations is that my trumpet players physically energetic orientation makes me feel very insecure note-wise on the mellophone (are horn players more calm, centered people?) and while I'm playing mellophone I'm Not playing trumpet.

For 119.00 I think you made a great purchase.

[ This Message was edited by: pfrank on 2004-05-07 15:13 ]

kimmerz549 · Posted: Fri May 07, 2004 2:27 pm Post subject:

Can someone tell me what a Frumpet actually IS?? I have never heard of one!!

James B. Quick · Posted: Fri May 07, 2004 8:36 pm Post subject:

Pfrank: (are horn players more calm, centered people?)

A: No, that's not it,... they hear the notes in their heads but don't really care to know what comes out the bell...

A Frumpet is an unfortunate combination of a trumpet and french horn that plays in F. If one was 'raised' on Bb instruments, it is highly unlikely that one will be able to develop the correlation between the pitch and the fingering. Playing it in an ensemble by ear is impossible. I gave mine to our french horn player, and he hated it. I took it back and used to valves for another project.... jbqd