recording trumpet

mcgreor70 · New Member Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Scotland

I am 72yrs old and I play trumpet with a small group,we play scottish dance music, we have been asked to do a recording, we have started to do the recording which is being done individually with earphones I find it hard to play on my own how close should you be to the mike
Any advice Donald
We are only partimers

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

About 12 inches 30 cm) is a good starting point. I like to have the mic a little below the bell's centerline and at about a 45 degree angle to start with, so I am blowig sort of "into and over" the mic. Adjust from there for best sound. If you move around a lot, you may want to be a bit further back.

Lots of stuff in the "Other Toys" forum on mics and techniques.

Hope this helps - Don
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

tom turner · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject:

Don's advice is dead on, as usual.

T.

mcgreor70 · New Member Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Scotland

Thanks for replying I have only improved my playing since I retired
but I get a lot of enjoyment playing for old people theres no money
in it but the responce is good
I would like to improve my breathing and get higher notes maybe I'm to old. is there any books that would help
Thanks again
Donald McGregor

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 10:38 am Post subject:

You're NOT too old. Ask Doc, Maynard, Bud, Maurice, etc. etc. etc. -- they are/were all playing into the "dubba's" into their 70's +.

As for "improving breathig", there is a book/DVD set called "The Breathing Gym" or something like that. I used to have a borrowed copy (need to get my own) and it is really good. There are also a number of breathing aids on Brian's Wind Song Press site.

Note that it actually takes less air to play up high than down low.

If you can, get hooked up with a good teacher. There are a lot of things you can do to increase your abilities at any age, and a good teacher can often provide the keys. Like anything else, it's then up to you to unlock the door and walk on through.

HTH - Don

p.s. Thanks Tom! We still need to hook up sometime... I may be swinging South this summer to visit my Dad in MS; maybe I can sneak away for a bit.
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

mcgreor70 · New Member Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Scotland

Here in the North east Scotland Trumpet teachers are pretty scarce
If I could get a good teaching book that might do me.I would be well down the list as a trumpet player, I would like to reach high B more easily
Thanks for your answers

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

My current default answer for a "self-help" method is Jeff Smiley's Balanced Embouchure. Jeff has a BE Forum here on TH you can check into. Be sure to have plenty of musical stuff to play -- practice should be fun!

HTH - Don
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

surfhorn · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject:

I find that the better physical shape I am in, the better my playing. Building up your wind and stamina can't hurt and will probably help. Walking every day - not running (less impact on the joints) works for me. And the thing I hate most, sit-ups, really gets the abdomin muscles it top shapte for playing. My next adventure is going to be giving yoga a try. We'll see.

Good luck with your playing.
_________________
Pleasure Point Brass Band
Bach 180S 37 ML, 1970
Kanstul WB1600 (silver)
Olds Super, 1964 w/ C.M. Purviance 5*K4
Marcinkiewicz: E8.4 Shew 1.75
Schilke Flugel; Kanstul Flugel
Kanstul Valve Bone
Surfboard quiver: 15