samdaman

Strad9, I know what you are saying. Quick history:
8th Grade: got a strad, wanted to be a great trumpet player
10th Grade: Wanted to be a great music teacher
12th Grade: Questioned if I would be either of the two

Now that I'm in college, I know I'm not the greatest of players (people that I've played in high school tell me that I'm a a crazy player since I went to college... I'm not)

I've taught and coached some students and friends on trumpet playing and music (They said that I know what I'm doing and that I'm a great teacher... I'm not)

From one of your last posts you said that you have been playing for seven years. You may not believe this but you'll be playing for eight years. And then nine years. And then a decade!!! I remember playing for eight years and thinking I was at the peak of my playing career (at the time I was... looking back, I was no where near where I am now ) Now, I know I am still learning; playing a few gigs here and there and playing in other genres and ensembles has given me new eyes. When I got that Strad, I never dreamed of playing where I am today. If you would have told me I would be playing the stuff that I am, I would have told you, "You're crazy!" I also remember being so happy and energetic; I couldn't put that horn down. A year or two later I remember being not as energetic, "Eh... it's just my strad."

The challenge I set forth to myself and I pose to you, "Everytime you pick up or see your horn, come back to it with the same energy and musical excitment as the first day you played it out of the case." I challenge you to "Be the best that you can be." Don't hold yourself to the standards of the guy playing next to you. LEARN from him, but hold yourself to your own standards. Never back down, never give in to less then your best, strive to be the best, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!! Music is about self expression, connecting with people through music. Sure there is a piece of metal between you and your audience, but that piece of metal doesn't make the sound. Think about it, when you put your trumpet in it's case, does it wake you up at 3AM playing Gunna Fly Now or the trumpet solo from Pictures at an Exhibition??? (If it does, send it to Bob Reeves, he'll fix it ) You are the music, not the trumpet. You will continue to grow and get better, as long as you practice and keep playing. Stay involved. Find as many community and school ensembles as you can. Start up your own. Just play, play with other musicians, and practice! You will know when the horn needs a tune up or a modification or if you need a new one all together. You just got the horn; PLAY IT!!! and play it often. Like Wynton says "Everytime you play a note, play it like it's the last note you will ever play in your life. Play the horn like it's the last time you'll pick it up." Keep that in mind and you'll know when your horn needs fixing, or you just need more practice.

I hope this gives you a new perspective on playing and music in general. That horn will take you as far as you want to go. That strad I got in eight grade, I still play it everyday (ok fine... maybe 362 days out of 365). It's the horn I'm playing in college, it will more then likely be the horn I'm playing after I'm out of college. I need to get a few repairs done to it (theres a leak in the third valve slide, which is also out of alignment, and the felts are deffinetly not doing their job with getting the valves to align properly), but it's still the same old strad I know and love.

Enjoy your new horn, friend! Play on, Play on!

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-Sam Tate

-Bach 43LR Reverse Lead
-Benge 90C Trumpet
-Gold Schilke E3L Eb/D
-Yahmaha 6310Z Bobby Shew Flugel
-Warburton 3 series and a GR67FL

When in doubt, go with the FLOW... it's all about the flow... musical line and tone production :)

www.music.psu.edu

jazz9

Thanks, I appreciate the support. You know, it is playing a little easier after I gave it a good cleaning! I also think I am finally adjusting to a pro horn.

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Bach Strad 37

Puukka

Actually the regular Strad with 25 leadpipe and 37 bell is a bit of a tight horn.
But the resistance helps to keep the arperture small and enhances the slotting and flexibility.
Also this configuration gives the unique centered sound with lots of core.

A lot of players like it, I personally feel more comfortable playing larger horns.
So the Strad 72 would be a better player for me. But the sound is different.
My Kanstul 1500B is also a 25 with 37 configuration, I like it´s centered sound but feel more comfortable playing the CHI-1070 which is XL bore.

Also there is another factor:
Everytime when I have the chance to test several models of same kind, I experience that each one is different. So you can find tight Strad 37s and not so tight ones.
If you like the sound, I would work with it till I can handle the resistance.
If as example a 72 would feel much more comfortable I would think of a change.

Herbert

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Hammond Design 5ML
Kanstul CHI-1070
Burbank 5X

Original_Username

Ok, I played my the third chair trumpet's Bach Strad Big Apple Limited Edition which is a 180S with 37 bell and 25 leadpipe w/ some gold trip for the valve cap, buttons, spit valves, and third valve stop guide. I noticed that it was very tight and had quite a bit of resistance. More then I'm comfortable with. It actually limited my playing. I've realized that I like a bit of a free blowing horn so I could just prefer a 43 bell maybe or larger leadpipe or bore. I'm hoping to play the music teacher's vintage Bach Strad which he finally got fixed a couple of weeks ago.

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Bach TR300 Bb Trumpet

Bach 1.5 C Mouthpiece

jazz9

I don't know really know what leadpipe is on my horn, but it says "ML" above the serial number. I always just thought it meant medium-large bore. Come to think of it, I would like a little freer horn, but I can't give up this one. I got a heck of a deal for a heck of a horn.

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Bach Strad 37

Richard Oliver

Something to ponder, the audience cannot hear what you feel when it comes to "blow."

How's your new baby sound?

rowuk

I don't think a Strad slows anybody down - unless it is out of tune. It does take a while to get used to a new horn, so let's not blame the horn for our bodies inflexibility!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Puukka

That´s true, but why there should be the 1000 different trumpet models around, if one should fit for all?

When I´m choosing a trumpet the playing feel goes over the sound, because....which pro trumpet sounds bad?
Herbert

__________________
Hammond Design 5ML
Kanstul CHI-1070
Burbank 5X

jazz9

Oh yeah, my new horn has a fantastic sound to it. I can hear myself in a good acoustics room (for lack of better words), and it is such a pure tone. I have been playing much better lately too. I think I'm finally becoming adjusted to it. I only have to overcome my nerves and endurance problems now!

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Bach Strad 37

Puukka

Beside the preferences regarding the playing feel, if you are happy with the Strad 37 sound, stick with it. It might only take a longer period of insecurity. With another horn you might need to make another compromises.
Herbert

__________________
Hammond Design 5ML
Kanstul CHI-1070
Burbank 5X