PSH

I would say that since you've only had the horn a short amount of time that there is no real way for you to tell what's wrong and what's right. Just leave the horn alone and get used to it. A horn like this will last you well through college. If after that it's still giving you problems, then it might be time to change something.

~PSH

DarkKnight88

I practice lip slur excercise number 21 in Arbans. I almost have it up to tempo. The tempo is ranges from 112-124. I also suggest trying to play this excercise at piano or even pianissimo. It will really help out your flexibility, control, and range.

jazz9

You know, I think you guys are right. I got this horn and, once again, got all freaked out and forgot that everything about it had to have time to get used to. I didn't realize I had to get to know the horn first before I decided to go crazy and get worried about if something was wrong with me or the horn. I have never had a horn like this before, and I almost get too excited about these types of things. I just needed to come back down to Earth!

bagmangood

It is really unfortunate the way the source of most of our problems is us and not the equipment. It means we actually have to work. (now if i could listen to my own advice...)

65Strad

Once you get used to the horn you will have a different opinon most likely. An alignment by Bob Reeves would be great way to make sure that the horn is "dialed in" properly to you can get the most out of it.

My 43 Strad benefitted greatly from it as has my picc. The C is next.

Good luck.

IAmBrassman

I agree with the other posters. Still developing as a player could be skewing your perception. Continue on with this horn, just as it is, for quite some time. I didn't move away from my strad until I had reliable, show-usable, F's over high C. Many pro level players consider the strad the gold standard

Once you really start to push the strad, consider the modifications other stated that Bob Reeves can do for you (align, leadpipe, brace changes, amado water keys).

Until you really know your own playing very well there is no reason to go on a horn safari looking for the 'ideal horn'. Getting to know yourself that well takes years.

Siegtrmpt

Just practice more. It's not the horn.

rowuk

There are Bachs that play "tighter" than other ones. There are also Bachs that play more in tune than other ones. Most of the time there are players that play tight and a pro horn does not compensate, so they suffer.
It is impossible for us to determine where YOUR problem is over the internet. Maybe there is a qualified TMer in your area. Get some first hand advice during a lesson before spending any additional money. Once you have learned to play in a relaxed manner, no quality horn will hold you back, although certain ones will let more of you "shine through". Those are the preferences that make the trumpet safari FUN!

jazz9

How do I know when I am developed enough as a player to do these things?

rowuk

Jazz9,
if you are a real musician, your development never stops and you will always have something to work on. Body use, tension, scales, patterns, musical inspiration are lifelong goals. What is most important, is what comes out of the front of your horn. HOW you get there is your personal cross to bear. Start today, tomorrow someone else may have gotten YOUR gig!