Matt Funamura

I'm a trumpet performance major and I mainly play jazz with some classical background. I have been toying around with the idea of getting a natural trumpet or a keyed trumpet for some classical repertoire. Does anyone have any suggestions as to their horn maker preferences and reasons why?

mattdalton

My choice of instrument would change slightly with the repertoire under consideration. I have two baroque trumpets, one by Egger and the other by Tomes, and each has its advantages. The Tomes is better at A=430, and the Egger has such a great sound in baroque chamber settings, for instance. I wouldn't waste money on a baroque trumpet that doesn't play well; it's enough work with a good instrument, and you get what you pay for.

With the weak U.S. dollar, European made instruments have risen in price lately. But the American-made Naumann trumpets of the past few years are worthy of recommendation, and their prices aren't fluctating with the value of the dollar. (A Naumann Eklund model would be good; many of the earlier ones have intonation challenges.)

If you want to go no-holes (true natural trumpet) Egger historical models are clearly the best.

To learn more about the various choices I'd recommend you get in touch with Barry at The Baroque Trumpet Shop. If you are interested in a used Egger trumpet, PM me and I can put you in touch with a friend who is selling one.

Hope this helps.

rowuk

I mostly play a Riedl copy made by Michael Munkwitz. This is one EXCELLENT instrument. You can check the instruments out at:

www.trumpetmaker.com * Historical brass instruments * Michael Münkwitz

I played a pre production sample of his Birckholtz natural trumpet. It is AWESOME!

www.birckholtz.com

Jean-Francois Madeuf and Friedemann Immer seemed to have a lot of fun at the concert (click on the concert tab).
Münkwitz does a very recommendable natural trumpet building course with Rich Seraphinoff and Robert Barclay. At his site click on the tab "workshops". There is one in Bloomingdale next month.