kadleck

Andrew -

You are correct. There are many bases to cover when practicing. Since you are a student & there are only so many hours in a day, I would try to hit everything each day, but maybe only for a short time. In a perfect world you could spend an hour (or so) on each (improvisation, range, transciption, etc...). However, in your case, I'd still try to do it all, but for maybe 10-20 mins. per area. That way you will keep it all together. Obviously some days you may have more/less time, and you'll have to adjust accordingly. Good luck.

Tony

Jimi Michiel

Tony-

Do you have any tips for quickly switching from trumpet to flugel? I use a Monette FLG2 (V cup) on my flugel and a Monette C12 on my trumpet. I played a couple shows this summer where I had to quickly switch from bucket-muted flugel in the low register to trumpet in the upper register and even when I nailed the lick, it never really felt comfortable (and a lot of times I didn't nail the lick, which felt even more uncomfortable...)

Thanks,
Jimi

kadleck

Jimi -

While I don't really have any tips there are a few things that may help. First, if the flugel is played infrequently (almost always the case), I try to leave the tuning slide in a little bit more than normal. That way when I pick it up cold it's not quite as flat as it might be. (Of course if you end up playing on it for an extended period you'll have to pull back out.)

The other idea is along the same line. Try to constantly be aware of what's coming up in the music. If you know there's some flugel on the next page, start blowing air into it well in advance, just to keep it warm. I even just throw it on my lap while I'm playing trumpet sometimes - not so much to get ready for the switch, but just to get it off the cold stand. But blowing air into it always seems to help, plus it makes it so that you're not pressing cold metal on your chops every time there's a switch.

Thanks -
Tony

rowuk

Bucket muted flugel in the low register. That would make the horn VERY stuffy. You could bend the metal prongs that hold the bucket to the bell to put it as far out as possible. The audience won't hear the difference and it is a lot less stuffy.

Smithi20

"plus it makes it so that you're not pressing cold metal on your chops every time there's a switch."

During the course of the evening I´ll often switch between flugel and trumpet... keep your mouthpieces in your back pocket, that way they´re always warm!!

Smithi20

and to round off, have fun for a while! Flugrl has exactly the same range as the trumpet.. so the benefits of playing high on a flugel are thet you have to be even more open and push more air...... it´s great for the stamina on both! also, on a more seriously, relaxing to play the bottom "phantom" scale on the flugel (from c) is a fantastic way of having to relax and feel....