| DC -
I brought this subject up because a balance of resistance is what makes a trumpet play and feel " free blowing " . The bore size is " non-issue " if all the right reisitance parameters line up correctly so the felling of " free blowing " is achieved.
Of course a mouthpiece is a factor in any trumpet " feel " or " blowing discussion, but that adds a whole new parameter to it, that with it's variables, could be a never ending , non answerable question.
I'm trying to say the term resistance , customarily applied as a negative to a talk on trumpets , is actually a positive when used properly in the design of an instrument.
It's like the word Cholesterol - there a bad cholesterol that should be avoided, but also a good cholesterol , that the body needs to stay healthy and functioning on a positive path.
Bob Reeves and KO Skinsnes, one day at the Reeves shop, both very intelligent guys and experienced professionals in the industry, once talked me out of opening up the throat of my mouthpiece telling me that " throat opening " is a very counterintuitive feeling and that actually what i was felling was my own throat closing trying to create resistance that wasn't being provided by the throat in my mouthpiece. Well, that impossible I thought, I feel like I'm blowing against a brick wall after a while and my playing gradually deteriorated. I getting stronger as a player and practice alot, how can I not need a bigger throat on in my mouthpiece.
But, I did as they suggested and didn't open up the mouthpiece and just tried to relax( another trumpet misnomer - the term "just relax " - it's like suggesting to try mentally to stop your heart from beating - but that's another topic)
That was a very wise and educated statement that has stuck with me for over 10 years now and with that advise, I eventually went to a smaller throat size and almost immediately, everything went back into balance for me.
I think also that the phase " free blowing " and it's equipment label is also counter-intuitive and actually when , after awhile ( your body can overcome resistance issues when your fresh ) , the trumpet starts to play stuffy or stiff, maybe you need a tighter set-up, not the next bigger leadpipe or bore-size up.
Just " food for thought " stuff - any comments anyone?
The Ghost |