Alex Yates

I just wanted to share with everyone an addition to my trumpet family. This was given to me back in November by Leon Petre. It was blackish grey with tarnish and needed some TLC. I picked it up from Rich Ita last night (Brass Repair Marietta, GA) and here it is all cleaned, purdy and stuff. She plays dreamy. I would love to get a C rotary.....someday.





Thanks Rich! Great work! Also, the Georgia Brass Band was rehearsaing and I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of TM/THers. It was great to meet you guys! You sounded great. Good luck in April.

TrentAustin

swwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

averagejoe

B-U-T-FL! It was nice to finally meet you as well, Alex -- next time you'll have to stick around and join us on your new cornet !

Clarence

Alex congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!
what doe's it sound like,phat and bold.
what,s the valve action like?

Albert Castillo

Alex Yates

Thanks for sharing in my happiness guys! She plays dreamy and warm. Very smooth, nice valve action (now that they are oiled and cleaned) and yet gets nice and "bold" (Clarence) when pushing the volume. I know there are some not so desirable Monkes out there, but this is not one of them. Petre has a matching C that plays wonderfully as well. I don't know how to check when they are made (any help would be appreciated), but I don't think this one is so new. I played one of John Wallace's old Monkes back in November just by chance and it played beautifully as well. Now, I am sure if I had a table with one of every brand offered today, I could find some great horns, but this one is special as it was given to me by someone I have a lot of respect for and who was very good to me my three years overseas (and since then). I am very pleased. It just feels great to finally have a rotary of my very own.

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to the rotary club! Aren't they fun! Your Monke, by the way, is the first I've seen with the extra Granz on the bell. Have you gotten the first valve slide worked in so you can pull it easily? Works great on those low c#-d# kinds of moves.

ecarroll

Alex,

I have the identical trumpet (also with the bell kranz. Vulgano, I've never seen a Monke Bb without one (?) ). It's "born on" date would have been the early 1970's and it's a terrific instrument.

One of my McGill students is borrowing it for the Karl Pilss Sonate at the moment and your photographs made me wonder if he sold it to you behind my back! :)

Congrats,
EC

Alex Yates

Hee, hee. Thanks Ed. I had a feeling it was a 70's horn. All of the Monkes I have enjoyed playing have been built around that time. This one is no exception. It has a silky smoothe sound and opens up nicely when you give it some gusto. I am very fortunate to have it. I have a Monke C promised to me in the future when Petre decides to officially retire. He literally has over 100 instruments in his home. Lots of natural trumpets and others in all keys. I feel pretty lucky to have my paws on this Bflat. Thanks for the info.

Cheers Ed (et al),
Alex

PS I have to begin poking my head in here more often. Petre played with the "Xenakis" Ensemble for many years - all modern music and out of this world kind of stuff. (I had pie eyes when he was taking me through the sheet music he has conquered over time LOL) Plus, I just need to hang out in your forum more often Ed. My head had been in the clouds lately with the new horns and such. "Doei!"

TrentAustin

Alex, you should attend Chosen Vale. It's the best camp out there. I can't wait to go this year!

-T