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rowuk · 01-04-2008, 06:33 PM

Warren,
you do not need to be Maurice André to start playing the piccolo trumpet.

You do need to keep in mind that the picc regardless of brand will require another mouthpiece. The intonation seems to be all over the place with the standard Bb mouthpieces. It seems to have more to do with the backbore and throat than the rim or cup though.

I have never played a Bach picc that I would pay money for (even the horns that Bach brought to the international music fair in Frankfurt, Germany last year were not easy to play or even close to in tune - even with the supplied Bach or my own Monette mouthpiece). I have played fine Kanstul, Getzen, Selmer, Yamaha, Scherzer, Stomvi piccs (as well as Schilke).

The biggest challenge when starting is to find a horn/mouthpiece combination that is in tune. Do NOT compromise with alternate fingerings here. Find a combo that works!

When you first start playing it just stay relaxed. Play the low register until you are comfortable then work your way up. Clarke is very good for this!

01-04-2008, 06:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,153	Re: Bb trumpet to the picc Warren, you do not need to be Maurice André to start playing the piccolo trumpet. You do need to keep in mind that the picc regardless of brand will require another mouthpiece. The intonation seems to be all over the place with the standard Bb mouthpieces. It seems to have more to do with the backbore and throat than the rim or cup though. I have never played a Bach picc that I would pay money for (even the horns that Bach brought to the international music fair in Frankfurt, Germany last year were not easy to play or even close to in tune - even with the supplied Bach or my own Monette mouthpiece). I have played fine Kanstul, Getzen, Selmer, Yamaha, Scherzer, Stomvi piccs (as well as Schilke). The biggest challenge when starting is to find a horn/mouthpiece combination that is in tune. Do NOT compromise with alternate fingerings here. Find a combo that works! When you first start playing it just stay relaxed. Play the low register until you are comfortable then work your way up. Clarke is very good for this! __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.