Fighting a horn to get a desired sound?

Capt.Kirk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 1315

The horn is always an issue if it was not then all Kanstul or anyone else would ever need was one model of trumpet! That does not in any way though take any thing away from the artist his skill level and phrasing are still what makes or breaks the performance but it is almost moronic to try and tell someone that the gear does not matter. Gear always factors into any performance!!

Formula-1 race car is nothing like a Nascar race car and niether of them are anything like my 4 door family sedan. Each is built for a specific purpose. Like wise a Conn Constellation with a .437 bore and a fat bell wrpaed in a short package is not going to sound anything like a Kanstul Col 103 or a 1537 or a 1600-A or a WildThing.........That is because of the design and materials. So gear always matter. I think it is not a matter of making or breaking the performance as long as the horn meets some minimum standard. I am not even close to being as good as I was in H.S. and even I can tell a huge difference when going from trumpet to another in how they respond, what feed back they give you and pitch center and their overall base sound signature!

In fact saying gear does not matter is right up their with the American Medical Association's claim that Anabolic Steroids do not enhances athletic performance! Someone needs to tell all the pro body builder's and other pro and Olympic Athletes this since they seem to disagree! That is about how silly I think it is when people try to down play the need for good gear that fits the situation. I do not think anyone that is a regular on this site would ever tell someone that gear is more important then practice or artistry but it is still important!
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The only easy day was yesterday!

shofarguy · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

Nate,

Since Mr. Benge noted that the Salsa thing was hypothetical, but the guitar amps and such are not, I ventured the effect of increased amplitude with a more open throat in the mouthpiece. I do get more amplitude with no more effort, or the same amplitude with less effort as throat size has gone up.

I do not get more range out of smaller throats. I actually get more range out of larger throats and I get a better sound up there with them, too. I know full well that not everyone responds the same, but after reading Benge's comments, he seemed to be after the very thing I have found.

Is that clearer?
Brian

p.s. I wouldn't last long on a Salsa gig on any equipment!

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Flip Oakes Wild Thing
LA Benge 5X
Kanstul 1025 Flugel

There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

Mr. Benge · Regular Member Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 50

Between this thread and the "Wild Thing Confession" thread, you guys have REALLY got me wanting to try a Wild Thing....

shofarguy · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject:

EdMann · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

Twas fun indeed! If that Wild Thing were a grand cheaper I might get one. Some kinda sound, easy to play. Equipment makes a difference, but at the end of day, we make adjustments to get our sound out w/ most well-made horns and mpcs. For example, if I can spend a morning playing my CG Personal with the ST 301, I'm good on that setup for the day (btw, that combination is quite awesome in a big, bellowing, solo sense), but if I start on the 3C with the Shew horn, ain't no way I can play the above set up without a long adjustment. Double buzzes and intonation problems will ensue along with shrugs and catcalls, and the occasional tomato.

You know what you would hate, Brian, are my Al Cass mpc's. Small and tight, but I dig 'em from time to time. A day adjusting to those, though, and a big fat sound will herald the evening.

I may not have told ya all, but earlier in the day I played the Kanstul 1600 against my Shew, and the WB won the hearts and minds of the two sets of ears pinned to my every clam. The 8335 Yam was a distant third. Perhaps I should have cranked out the MF Horn for a sloppy version of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes to truly annoy the other patrons, but I was saving that ignominy for you.

See you soon,

Ed

shofarguy · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

Mr. Benge · Regular Member Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 50

Brian,

Stop talking dirty to me.....