wiseone2

I have not played the 4 valved Eb, but I have played the D/C horn that Voisin played. They are great, but you have to be alert all the time. The Mahler 5 is great on that setup.

Wilmer

dizforprez

I find statements like this to be ridiculous. When it is your job, rep, whatever on the line and you are the one in the hot seat what Herseth did or didn’t do is irrelevant. Maybe the kind of thought is prevalent for college students but I find it hard to believe that pros would have that kind of philosophy.

uatrmpt

When your music director wants your brass section to sound like the CSO's, you do whatever it takes -- Bach 229H and all.

BTW, what leadpipe is on the CSO horns.

wiseone2

You forgot the MOST important component............Bud Without him, The horn is on it's own.

Wilmer

trumpetmike

So, this is why Maurice Murphy is renowned for missing every entry????
Accuracy is easier on whichever instrument you are used to playing. Personally, I am a great deal more reliable when playing a Bb than when playing a C - but if you look where I am based, you can probably work out why.

Sol

I would agree that the Sheep Mentality is evident concerning the choice of equipment. Look at the number of people that play large mouthpieces. They look at some of the finest players, notice that they use the Bach 1 size, and choose that model for themselves. Not to say that this is necessarily bad...on the other hand, the desire to conform can be quite strong...

Bb or C? In the US, it is customary to play the C now. For better or for worse. Just as it is customary to play the Bb in the UK. Suffice it to say that Mr. Murphy or Mr. Smith could play either trumpet quite well, if they so desired.

Look at the advent of the rotary trumpet. This trend was started by Mr. Herseth in the US, and carried on by Mr. Smith. Now it too has become customary to use rotary trumpets on certain works, for better or for worse. I am not really in favor of this custom personally, since it makes no sense to me to use these instruments on Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. But what are you going to do? If you are in a position that you can be a trendsetter, then go for it. If you aren't, and need to conform, well, what choice do you have?

dizforprez

Oh yeah it all goes back to Herseth, no one here in the US thinks for them selves. Let’s all walk over the edge of the cliff now….... we certainly couldn’t be using that equipment because if works better for the job at hand, now could we?

I am sorry but to say that everyone in the US plays C trumpets and 1c mouthpiece because of Bud Herseth is ridiculous.

brian moon

If you learn how to play a C you will C it's advantages. If you don't have much experience on one and have only played an out of tune stock horn it can be a fight.

trumpetmike

I have played a number of C trumpets, ranging from stock student model to customised professional, I have yet to play a single one I would prefer to play ovcer my Bb. There have been some that have been great instruments (the Eclipse is outstanding), but I happen to prefer the Bb.

Each instrument in the trumpet world has its advantages/disadvantages, the choice is down to personal choice - personally I (along with many other UK players, including Mr Murphy - someone I would humbly suggest has a few more years experience at the very than many of us) will stick to Bb for most of my orchestral playing.
I have played one in many situations (both in lessons and professionally), I prefer Bb, in the same way that many guys seem to prefer the C trumpet.

Bill Dishman

At the Daytona Beach Summer Festival a few years ago, the London Symphony did a Star Wars set and the Trumpets used the 4-Valve Eb's for many of the sections. I was told (2nd hand info.) that they also used it on recordings of this music as well.

Bill Dishman
Gainesville, Florida