The Lunar Eclipse: "Reach for the Moon!" -1- INTRODUCTION *The
Lunar Eclipse will have a large bore for a full and rich sound. The sound should be so sweet that the listener will find the slightest hint of sugar in their mouth while the
Lunar is being played. The
Lunar Eclipse will symbolize the accomplishment of reaching the moon. It will also inspire people to reach beyond the moon to the unknown; the
Lunar Eclipse will be a beacon for the stars.
DESIGNS *To give a more open feel and sound, the
Eclipse novelty main tuning slide and the first curve after the lead pipe will not bend as suddenly as most trumpets but have a more gradual rounding.
*I would like the bracings to be a bit different than normal. The bracings will be bent as if they were shaped like large
U's on their sides. This "U" bracing design will replace the "Z" bracing system. The main, large bracing will be installed in this way (there will be two large "U" bracings): one side of each bracing will be connected to the leadpipe while the other side is connected to the tube leading up to the bell.
Important: The curve of each bracing should always be facing outwards. On the bell side of the
Lunar, the curve will be pointed
towards the bell like an arrow. On the mouthpiece side of the
Lunar, the curve will be pointed
towards the mouthpiece like an arrow.
-The smaller bracing (all the bracing
besides the main two) will be just like the larger bracing, only smaller
with the exception that the curve does not have to be so precise in the shape of a "U." It may look like half of a circle if need be.
-This design will look magnificent and the sound will not be restricted. The bracing will be very lightweight but very strong. The "U" shape is an arch, which is the strongest round shape you can use as bracing (besides a circle, which is a full fleged arch gone overboard
.)
*A medium classic bell will be used for better projection (it must be heard from the moon, remember :wink: .) This bell will also help support the upper register, this is needed because it is a large bore instrument. And if possible, I would like the
Lunar's bell to not flare out until
slightly later than normal, to give the tiniest indication of a Herald trumpet. The tube leading up to the bell will broaden slightly slower than normal but I do not want the bell tubing to be any longer than a regular
Eclipse model. The whole idea of the late flare of the bell can be discussed furthur at a later time.
FEATURES *The valves will be lightning quick but silent. I would like the
Lunar's valves to be so fast that I am startled when I see them pop back up after being suppressed for the first time. The finger button tops will have smooth, slightly
concave tips (
indented down,
not flat) for a comfortable feel (and less chance of slipping!)
*The
Lunar Eclipse will have a standard weight mouthpiece receiver with the inscription of the name of the client on one side (i.e. "
Tim Steiner"), with "
Lunar Eclipse" on the adjacent side. This is similar to how the
Eclipse logo is placed on the mouthpiece receiver already. If the name of the client is too long, the last name can be used instead, as could either just "
Eclipse"or "
Lunar" be used instead of
"Lunar Eclipse." *The third valve slide ring should be measured and soldered precisely to fit my (or another client's) hands. There should be various sizes of rings, i.e. larger diameter for larger fingers and smaller diameter for smaller fingers; this will insure a comfortable fit and make it truly a custom trumpet. Sizes may be numbered, for example: 1, 2, 3, ect.. The ring will be made smoother all around the sides (as should the first valve slide crook,) not biting off on each side like a normal ring.
*The pinky ring should not be so harshly bent. It will, infact, not look like a ring at all. It should bend and slightly flatten out like a
crescent moon, with a little of the ring, at the top of the bend, curving over the top ever so slightly.
FINISH *All tubing is scratch
white gold (if possible) or scratch
silver to symbolize the moon (If you decide to make my trumpet, we can discuss whether scratch
white gold or
silver would be better.) The
white gold will mystically sound warm and soothing while the
silver will give a more commanding sound as if to summon the people to the stars. Whether the finish is scratch
white gold or scratch
silver, there will be highlights of scratch (yellow) gold on:
- -The Inside of the bell
-The Valve casing
-The Finger button tops
-The Mouthpiece receiver
-The Pinky ring (crescent)
-The Third valve slide ring
-The First valve slide crook
-The Bracing
Set up overview:
*Large bore
*More gradual than normal main tuning slide and first turn bends
* "U" shaped bracings
*Medium classic bell; flare begins later than normal
*Indented finger button tops
*Standard weight, engraved mouthpiece receiver
*Custom fit third valve slide ring
*Pinky hook bent like a crescent moon
*Scratch silver finish or scratch white gold finish
*Scratch yellow gold highlights
Note: I feel that the scratch white gold finish would be an innovative eye-popper 
as opposed to other finishes, even the scratch silver.
Also, the special bell flare, if it seems to be a deterent, is not essential for the Lunar. However, I feel that if we could get the bell flare to work right, it would be all the more better! -2- *The theme for my trumpet is the
Lunar Eclipse. Bringing a catchy name and a unique design into the trumpet world, the
Lunar Eclipse will be a great instrument. I chose the name, "
Lunar" because it fits into the high-class, mystique trumpet company of
Eclipse.
*Please note that I have not written a large amount in this catagory because I have incorporated the theme into my whole entry.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-3- Sam sat
alone in class. While gazing out the window he wondered what it would be like to have no ties or responsibilities, to be free to do whatever he wanted. At that time two classmates, larger than him, started harassing Sam. Startled by being brought out of his daydream, Sam looked over at the two abruptly, although he had not heard what they said. Sam said, “Huh?”
The bullies laughed and repeated the remarks about him being short and not athletic.
Sam ignored what they said and focused on what the teacher was saying, “As a reminder, your final paper on current economics in the
USA will be due on Friday. Everyone got that? I will not accept anything late this time.”
“Don’t ignore me,
pork chop!” One bully whispered to Sam.
“I’m trying to listen, be quiet!” Sam replied, but Sam was angry so his voice lifted. It was just loud enough to be heard by everyone, but not loud enough to be actually understood by people that weren’t immediately around him.
“Sam, is there a problem? You know I do not accept talking while I am talking. It is disrespectful.” His teacher said as if very disapointed.
Sam was hurt by this. He respected his teacher quite well, and it brought tears of sadness and anger that he would be corrected for something he was not guilty of by his favorite teacher.
On the way home on the
bus Sam was losing it. His
shirt was annoying him, he couldn’t get the tag to stop itching. The bus was too noisy, it was giving him a headache. Fumes from the truck in front of the bus were seeping in through the windows. The sun was shining directly on him, causing him to squint. Sam was starting to sweat profusely.
Finally, Sam was home. He quickly went to his room, shut the door, and cried. Everything was too overwhelming. Sam didn't want to do anything anymore. He wanted to be free. Free from school, free from bullies, and free from himself, his own short and unathletic body. There was only one thing he did feel like doing.
Sam opened up his
trumpet case and pulled out his old junker
trumpet that his neighbor had given him because his family had no money to buy him anything better. Sam looked over the trumpet with love and care, it was his. Although it was badly dented on the bell, he played it as if there was nothing wrong; nothing wrong with the
trumpet or the world: nothing wrong like nations going to war, nothing wrong with his grades declining because he couldn’t focus, nothing wrong with the fact that many kids make fun of him. When Sam played his
trumpet, he didn’t have to daydream about being free,
he was!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Astounding Model *The
Lunar Eclipse will not only be a great contest winning trumpet, but a great
Eclipse model to be sold to many clients. It will start out like the
Equinox, a custom trumpet for one person. But over time it will gain popularity, as did/is the
Equinox, and become a prominent
Eclipse model which people
will be asking for! *The
Lunar can be the first model of many in this series! Here are some ideas for the trumpets following the
Lunar:
- -Eclipse Lunar - "Reach for the moon, then reach for the stars, with a Lunar Eclipse!"
-Eclipse Thunder - "Be THUNDERSTRUCK after playing the Eclipse Thunder!"
-Eclipse Galaxy - "Make music among the stars with the Eclipse Galaxy!"
-Eclipse Guardian - "Play the Eclipse Guardian with your heavenly host!"
-Eclipse White Lightning - (done already!)
Divine Instrument *In its' elegance, the
Lunar will complement the
Eclipse company and look different than the run of the mill trumpet without being outrageous. The
Lunar will be different because of its' exquisite and majestic qualities; so many trumpets today are focused on being an in-your-face screamer. I hope you are anxious to start creating this instrument because you
can't wait to hear what it will sound like and you
can't wait to see what it will look like.
Humble Recipient -4- *Music is a wonderful outlet for me. I go to school everyday looking forward to playing in my three bands (Jazz before school (6:30 AM!), symphonic band and wind ensemble during school,) and then my Youth Symphony after school. I used to do every sport a kid could hope for, but then I quit them all to have more time to play music, I love it that much. I have put
A LOT of time into this idea, it is not just a random thought. I have thought through many different themes and variations to the
Eclipse trumpets and I feel that is the best one. I aspire to possibly be an instrument technician as a full time or side job when I grow up, winning the
Lunar would help boost me that much further in my reach for the moon (theoretically speaking that is :) .) But whether I win or lose, I will continue to dream big.
Leigh,
When I first emailed you about the Equinox pictures, I was taken back by how promptly and generously you responded. I respect you and whatever decision you make. "Reach for the moon, then reach for the stars, with a Lunar Eclipse!"