| How to try a new trumpet.
Ok, I have been to many trumpet conferences and shows. I constantly see students, adults, and whoever coming into rooms and "trying out" trumpets. After this past weekend of hearing things I have been inspired to ask "how do you try out a trumpet?" My opinion:
The obvious stuff. Check out the appearance of the instrument and how it feels in your hand. Make sure it is what you are looking for. A company who doesnt care about the build of the trumpet will probably not have much care in how it plays. Check the valves and how they feel as well as the slides.
Next: dont even think about seeing how high or loud you can play!!!!! It is more difficult to make a horn respond at a low volume, so doesnt it make sense to play easy and quiet to see how sensitive the horn is? Do some easy scale passages or some etude excerpts. Now I know you are all great lead players (sorry for the sarcasm) but dont show off yet. Try to listen for the tone and resonance of the instrument. If it doesnt respond well then why proceed. I think this should take the most time since most of your trumpet playing will be on the staff anyway.
If the trumpet has passed the musicality test and you are still liking it, it is time to see what it will do. If you are a lead guy go ahead and cut loose, but not at anyone. Find a nice hallway or room you can go and not hurt anyone. I know we all like that collective high G in a room, but I know I would rather be polite. If you are a legit guy, same thing applies, find a nice spot to run the excerpts. I mean, how can you hear yourself in a room with everyone else anyway?
I am thinking about having a few rooms for trumpet testing next year at my show just for these reasons. I would much rather be able to hear what I sound like than compete with 80 other guys, even if they are playing quietly. I guess the moral of this story is, if we try out trumpets as musical instruments we can make a better decision on there quality. Again, sorry if I offended anyone and I would like to hear your opinions on this as well. |