siarr

We were playing Bernstein's "Candide" overture yesterday, and the thought occurred to me that it must be either impossible to handle the super-quick mute changes on rotaries or there must be a trick. Anyone know how it's done? Do you support the bell with the heel of your left hand (which is holding the mute just outside the bell)? I guess this would be like a trombone player using a plunger. That's the only way I can think of, short of holding it with your feet. Just curious.

Cheers,
Chas

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Bach "Chicago" C
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Pedal C

Trained Monkey. It's the best of all possible worlds!

Bad Candide joke. My apologies. :)

My regular piston C bell is full of mute dings from Candide.

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Johntpt

One common trick for that piece is to have two players play the part, one plays the open sections and one plays the muted sections. I have seen this done by American orchestras, and in general German orchestras often have two first trumpet players playing on big pieces & programs.

JU

Vulgano Brother

It is possible to slide the little finger of the right hand under the trumpet--it is as uncomfortable as all get out, and about the only way to turn pages while playing. Thank goodness for piston trumpets and photocopiers!

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siarr

LOL!

Best, Chas

rowuk

Siarr,
Bernstein did not write for rotaries! There is no way to turn pages or mute while playing and still be relaxed. I think it is just the wrong tool for the job. Even in Germany, the land of the rotary trumpet, musicals, film music and non-German music is played with a piston trumpet. You have several great ones!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

siarr

Robin,
Thanks for weighing in. Of course I'd never want to play anything of Bernstein, Gershwin, etc. on a rotary, I simply used that as an example of a fast mute change. But there are still lots of places in the mainstream literature (Mahler comes to mind) that require some fast mute work. I was just curious as to how it's usually handled where rotaries are the mainstays. Do you have a technique for this? Other than an assistant, that is!

Thanks for your input,
Chas

__________________
Yamaha "Chicago" C
Bach "Chicago" C
Bach Bb 43/RL25
Andreas Eastman Bb 520S
Scherzer 8111 Picc
Schilke E3L Eb/D
Yamaha YFH631 flugelhorn

GordonH

I think this would depend how you hold the trumpet.
I have a slightly unorthodox grip which allows me to manipulate it one handed.


In general fast mute changes are easier to do if you loosen the mute before you need to remove it.

__________________
"O trumpeter, methinks I am myself the instrument thou playest,
Thou melt'st my heart, my brain--thou movest, drawest, changest
them at will;" (Walt Whitman)

GordonH

Try sticking some brass washers under the valve caps on the first and third valve. You might like the effect.
I had some in my garage and tried them on my Bb rotary and it made the sound more stable and the lower register more stable.

I am doing the verdi requiem on it next month.
I have a large number of concerts coming up and I am practicing flat out to learn all the parts.

__________________
"O trumpeter, methinks I am myself the instrument thou playest,
Thou melt'st my heart, my brain--thou movest, drawest, changest
them at will;" (Walt Whitman)

rowuk

Chas,
I keep the mute between my legs and mash the bell on to it when necessary. If I need to take it out quickly, I support the horn by keeping my left hand on the bell instead of around the valve block. The palm provides enough support until you have time to put the mute down.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.