TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

trickg · 06-23-2004, 08:30 AM

Shawn,

It sounds to me like you are asking a question about basic things/gear that trumpet players should have, and maybe some other things too.

Ok, here's my list of things that as a trumpet player, you should probably have:

1.) Snake - you NEED to clean your baby from time to time and you need a snake to do this.
2.) Mouthpiece brush - same thing. A dirty mouthpiece can only hinder your playing.
3.) Method books - Arbans, the basic conservatory approach and it has TONS of great stuff in it to work from. Clarke Technical studies - this is a great book to work from slowly and systematically. Herring etudes - again, work slowly and consistently and focus on playing lyrically.
4.) Mutes - It sounds like you are in High School so I'm going to give you the basic list:
Straight - Nothing fancy, but make sure that you at least get an aluminum mute - my two favorites are the Tom Crown and the aluminum Vacchiano that I think is made by Stonelined.
Cup - Here, you can pretty much get away with a basic Stonelined cup mute - it's what I use.
Harmon - If you play jazz at all, you are eventually going to need a harmon mute - in my opinion, Jo Ral makes the best harmon mute, but I once bought a scratch-n-dent Emo harmon mute for a song that is dynamite.
Plunger - again, nothing fancy - go to your local hardware store and buy a cheap, small plunger and use that. Mine cost $1.25
Those are the basic mutes that I have. I also have a bucket mute, but I find that I use my straight and cup mutes the most out of all of them.
5.) Decent Valve Oil - It's always good to have a bottle that you are using and one in reserve, just in case you lose one for whatever reason. Al Cass was my longtime favorite valve oil until recently when I started using Zaja Blue Pro Oil.

That's the basic list of things that I would start to accumulate if I were you. Of course there are other things too, such as getting a decent metronome/tuner, and if you are into keeping your horn shiney, I recommend using Wrights silver cream. It's non-abrasive, easy to use and keeps your horn looking good. I wouldn't even go out on a mouthpiece safari as long as you have a moderately sized Bach mouthpiece (3C - 7C) to work with.

Of course, a good teacher can only help, but if you are going to be doing a fair amount of ensemble playing, you are going to want to acquire some of that other stuff too.

Everyone, feel free to add to or edit my list if you disagree.

06-23-2004, 08:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
trickg Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland Posts: 2,054	Shawn, It sounds to me like you are asking a question about basic things/gear that trumpet players should have, and maybe some other things too. Ok, here's my list of things that as a trumpet player, you should probably have: 1.) Snake - you NEED to clean your baby from time to time and you need a snake to do this. 2.) Mouthpiece brush - same thing. A dirty mouthpiece can only hinder your playing. 3.) Method books - Arbans, the basic conservatory approach and it has TONS of great stuff in it to work from. Clarke Technical studies - this is a great book to work from slowly and systematically. Herring etudes - again, work slowly and consistently and focus on playing lyrically. 4.) Mutes - It sounds like you are in High School so I'm going to give you the basic list: Straight - Nothing fancy, but make sure that you at least get an aluminum mute - my two favorites are the Tom Crown and the aluminum Vacchiano that I think is made by Stonelined. Cup - Here, you can pretty much get away with a basic Stonelined cup mute - it's what I use. Harmon - If you play jazz at all, you are eventually going to need a harmon mute - in my opinion, Jo Ral makes the best harmon mute, but I once bought a scratch-n-dent Emo harmon mute for a song that is dynamite. Plunger - again, nothing fancy - go to your local hardware store and buy a cheap, small plunger and use that. Mine cost $1.25 Those are the basic mutes that I have. I also have a bucket mute, but I find that I use my straight and cup mutes the most out of all of them. 5.) Decent Valve Oil - It's always good to have a bottle that you are using and one in reserve, just in case you lose one for whatever reason. Al Cass was my longtime favorite valve oil until recently when I started using Zaja Blue Pro Oil. That's the basic list of things that I would start to accumulate if I were you. Of course there are other things too, such as getting a decent metronome/tuner, and if you are into keeping your horn shiney, I recommend using Wrights silver cream. It's non-abrasive, easy to use and keeps your horn looking good. I wouldn't even go out on a mouthpiece safari as long as you have a moderately sized Bach mouthpiece (3C - 7C) to work with. Of course, a good teacher can only help, but if you are going to be doing a fair amount of ensemble playing, you are going to want to acquire some of that other stuff too. Everyone, feel free to add to or edit my list if you disagree. __________________ Patrick Gleason email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com "What we do in life echoes in eternity" "At my signal, unleash hell." - Maximus Decimus Meridius