camelbrass

Liad,

I had the privilege of spending a week in August with Micheal Laird (Acadamy of St Martin's in the Field, English Chamber Orchestra etc etc etc) and got my first taste of playing the natural trumpet.

rowuk's points pretty much mirror Micheal's, although he doesn't seem to mind using modern mouthpieces.

The feel of the natural is quite different than the modern trumpet. You haven't got the security provided by the resistance created by the valves, wrap etc. I found that I had to concentrate very hard on pitching the note in my head before I made any entry. Note production was also very critical, lots of split notes...the instrument is somewhat unforgiving in my very inexpert hands. Above the staff requires very solid technique..there is just nowhere to hide.

The sound, by the way, in the hands of an expert is wonderful and I'm trying to line up the money to get one!!


Hope this helps.

Regards,


Trevor