C trumpet question

bigaggietrumpet · 12-12-2004, 04:51 PM

Ok, so a while back at an orchestra rehearsal, one of the guys in the section brought a Bach Strad C, just the usual one (I can't think of the exact model number right now). Well, me being the curious one that I am, I asked if I could try it out. First time I've ever played a C trumpet. Hated it. Why? Because, after 9 years of playing the Bb, I have in my mind a pretty good idea of what a certain fingering sounds like. And the C trumpet was just screwing that all up. I couldn't get a good tone, and doing passages was very different indeed.

So my question for those of you who switch between the two, and even other keyed trumpets, how do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the change so that it isn't so awkward?

trumpetpimp · 12-12-2004, 04:58 PM

You just have to get used to it. It does take a little bit of time but if you practice switching enough you don't really notice it any more. I find if I don't play C for a few weeks it freaks me out the first couple notes I play on it but I get back into it pretty quick. The same thing happens if I neglect my flugel or cornet. The sound is so different that it's disconcerting at first.

As trumpet players we have to strive toward absolute versatility. Not just in style, dynamics, and articulations, but also in the equipment we use. I often spend practice sessions sitting in the middle of all my instruments(I feel like a sun dial). I want to be able to switch back a forth between my two Bb's, C, piccolo, cornet, and flugel very easily because I never know what I'll need to double on.

My Bb will always be my baby but playing C, piccolo, flugel, and any other twisted piece of metal is a fact of life for us. If you buy a C I think you'll get used to it in a day or two and after a few weeks it'll feel like home just as much as your Bb.

dizforprez · 12-12-2004, 05:49 PM

As trumpet pimp stated, once you play it for a while it isnt a big deal, you just pick it up and play it, no "mentally or physically" prep is needed.

Once i got the hang of transposing the C became my horn of choice. I would rather take the C and transpose than play B flat in an (non jazz) ensemble.

eoliver · 12-12-2004, 07:34 PM

I totally agree. I use my C for everything except for Jazz, Latin, and solos written for specific pitched trumpets. But it's my prefered horn. The more you play it, the better it feels. Lots of practice on all horns has helped me get used to where everything is on each horn. One thing to remember is that open pitches on C trumpets will sound especially wierd, and you may have to use alternate fingerings. Transposing on C is also a lot easier than on Bb. Anyway, good luck if you decide to go C.

MahlerBrass · 12-13-2004, 02:06 AM

You gotta get used to it, when you first pick it up and read music, you see a C and want to set for a Bb, but the horn doesn't let you do just that. Being flexible on horns is a very important part of being a trumpet player. I had a concert this weekend where I played a few pieces on C, then on picc, then back to C, we have to be able to do that without showing any weakness. If you get bored sometime take a swing by Huntsville and I can show what I mean. :o

wiseone2 · 12-14-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eoliver

I totally agree. I use my C for everything except for Jazz, Latin, and solos written for specific pitched trumpets. But it's my prefered horn. The more you play it, the better it feels. Lots of practice on all horns has helped me get used to where everything is on each horn. One thing to remember is that open pitches on C trumpets will sound especially wierd, and you may have to use alternate fingerings. Transposing on C is also a lot easier than on Bb. Anyway, good luck if you decide to go C.

I strive for one sound on all my horns. I have played my C on Broadway, in big bands and all kinds of places.
I try to produce MY sound no matter which horn I am playing.

Wilmer

Bryan_sop_trumpet · 02-15-2005, 06:34 AM

I have a Courtois C trumpet which I got a set of Bb slides for. I found it a bit strange playing in C at first, but after a while I got used to it and I enjoy it. I also find transposing from some keys easier on C for example from F, mostly because I do a lot of transposing up or down a 4th (Bb-Eb and vice-versa)

12-12-2004, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigaggietrumpet Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: College Station,TX Posts: 814	C trumpet question Ok, so a while back at an orchestra rehearsal, one of the guys in the section brought a Bach Strad C, just the usual one (I can't think of the exact model number right now). Well, me being the curious one that I am, I asked if I could try it out. First time I've ever played a C trumpet. Hated it. Why? Because, after 9 years of playing the Bb, I have in my mind a pretty good idea of what a certain fingering sounds like. And the C trumpet was just screwing that all up. I couldn't get a good tone, and doing passages was very different indeed. So my question for those of you who switch between the two, and even other keyed trumpets, how do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the change so that it isn't so awkward? __________________ Michael Smith Hullabaloo: The official band of Texas A&M Basketball Kanstul 1537/ Schilke 14 LA Olds Studio

12-12-2004, 04:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
trumpetpimp Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 268	You just have to get used to it. It does take a little bit of time but if you practice switching enough you don't really notice it any more. I find if I don't play C for a few weeks it freaks me out the first couple notes I play on it but I get back into it pretty quick. The same thing happens if I neglect my flugel or cornet. The sound is so different that it's disconcerting at first. As trumpet players we have to strive toward absolute versatility. Not just in style, dynamics, and articulations, but also in the equipment we use. I often spend practice sessions sitting in the middle of all my instruments(I feel like a sun dial). I want to be able to switch back a forth between my two Bb's, C, piccolo, cornet, and flugel very easily because I never know what I'll need to double on. My Bb will always be my baby but playing C, piccolo, flugel, and any other twisted piece of metal is a fact of life for us. If you buy a C I think you'll get used to it in a day or two and after a few weeks it'll feel like home just as much as your Bb. __________________ For sale: Courtois 154 flugel http://www.trumpetherald.com/marketp...detail&id=5375 Kanstul 1500 Bb copper bell http://www.trumpetherald.com/marketp...detail&id=7504

12-12-2004, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
eoliver Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 70	I totally agree. I use my C for everything except for Jazz, Latin, and solos written for specific pitched trumpets. But it's my prefered horn. The more you play it, the better it feels. Lots of practice on all horns has helped me get used to where everything is on each horn. One thing to remember is that open pitches on C trumpets will sound especially wierd, and you may have to use alternate fingerings. Transposing on C is also a lot easier than on Bb. Anyway, good luck if you decide to go C. __________________ Eric Oliver www.trumpetwitheric.com

12-13-2004, 02:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
MahlerBrass Piano User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 371	You gotta get used to it, when you first pick it up and read music, you see a C and want to set for a Bb, but the horn doesn't let you do just that. Being flexible on horns is a very important part of being a trumpet player. I had a concert this weekend where I played a few pieces on C, then on picc, then back to C, we have to be able to do that without showing any weakness. If you get bored sometime take a swing by Huntsville and I can show what I mean. :o __________________ Music isn't a career, it's a way of life.

02-15-2005, 06:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bryan_sop_trumpet New Friend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 26	I have a Courtois C trumpet which I got a set of Bb slides for. I found it a bit strange playing in C at first, but after a while I got used to it and I enjoy it. I also find transposing from some keys easier on C for example from F, mostly because I do a lot of transposing up or down a 4th (Bb-Eb and vice-versa) __________________ Bryan Herman Trumpet - Strong Brass Quintet Trumpet - Disco Inferno Trumpet - Harmony in Harlem Soprano Cornet - City of Cambridge Brass Band

12-12-2004, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
dizforprez Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,028	As trumpet pimp stated, once you play it for a while it isnt a big deal, you just pick it up and play it, no "mentally or physically" prep is needed. Once i got the hang of transposing the C became my horn of choice. I would rather take the C and transpose than play B flat in an (non jazz) ensemble.

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