POR15

First I want to say hello and Ive been reading the forums for several weeks.. I've not played for the last 25 years and am trying to get back to what I use to love doing, playing my horn..

My original Bach was stolen about 20 years ago, another reason I didn't play. We'll A few weeks ago I was given an no-name trumpet that clicked and clattered when played and came with a unknown 7C mpc that felt like a Back 7C from days past... Ive been doing a little playing to get the feel back..

1. No endurance
2. Airy notes
3. Poor tone
4. sore chops after about 30 minutes...

I figured most of this was from not playing for years.. Knowing the horn I was playing was crap, I located a Conn Constellation 52B for a decent price and bought it. I also got a Jet-Tone Al Hirt Medium Mouth piece. My first note was music to my ears..

1. My tone was back.
2. The Jet-Tone felt wonderful on my chop with no strain.
3. The soreness has gone away and I can play longer.
4. my lower register below lower C is able to be plyed with tone again. But high register above the staff is still weak.

The Jet-Tone has a larger bowl then the 7C and feels much more confertable on my chops. So Im assuming this is the style of mouth piece I need? My lips are a little on the fleshy side and not thin, so small bowls seem to hurt my playing.

Without going out an buying 20 differant MPC's any tips on a style of MCP to try and go from there ?

I love the Conn I have, its got great responce and slots much better then the no-name junk horn, but I couldn't help it and found a gorgeous 71' Back Stard 37 that should be here this week. The Strad has a smaller bore then the Conn and should require less air to "blow". Between the two horns I hope to find a good playing horn and narrow down a good MPC to contenue playing again..



I'd like to get my youthful range back I use to have, strong E-F above High C. As of now Im straining for High C

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David Von
Bach Stradivarius Model 37 #349687. ML
Conn Constellation 52B-SP #692246
Jet-Tone Al Hirt M
Schilke 14a4a

ewetho

Since your tone is good, I'd say practice for a couple of months on what you got and then see what you need. Got to rebuild. I know I am doing that too. Been playing part time for a 1.5 years after 16 off. So just take time and play for a while.

As far as blow... Bore size in the same model and to a lesser extent the same brand will be easier to judge against each other. One can have a .462 and feel tight and another model may have a .459 and have little back pressure and feel very open. Also changing mouthpieces from say a Bach to a Bach MegaTone or a Schilke where the throat size is increased that can have a larger effect than the bore size after the small hole.

From what I remember of Jet-Tone they were comfy rims compared to the sharp bite of Bach. If you remember what you used to play on get one of those and see what you think. But a week upper register is to be expected for a while till you build up your chops again. Your range and mine were about the same. High C is pretty easy again but above that is rough but lately I have been about to start carrying D and even E with clarity and volume but not after rehearsal yet. But it is coming back.

Might also get a good used pro horn (name brands you remember) and that may help as well.

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UMI Benge 3X
Bob Reeves 43.5/B 692s Gold Plate w/ 3 Sleeve

POR15

Well between the Bach Stad 37 and the Conn Constellation 52B I think I'll be ok horn wise for a while.. Just have to find where I left my chops 20+ years ago. I know they are around here someplace..

Thanks

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David Von
Bach Stradivarius Model 37 #349687. ML
Conn Constellation 52B-SP #692246
Jet-Tone Al Hirt M
Schilke 14a4a

rowuk

I would also say, if the jet tone works, stick with it for a year or two. When you have sufficient strength, you will be better able to make a decision - if it is even necessary. Jet Tone does not have a "bad" reputation!!!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

POR15

I'm guessing I just haven't built up my lip muscles yet. When I play now a lot of the time i can hear air seeping past the mouthpiece on the side like I'm not clamping down hard enough. I'm RESISTING applying more pressure to keep this from happening. Maybe the cut needs to be adjusted in size. More time will tell.

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David Von
Bach Stradivarius Model 37 #349687. ML
Conn Constellation 52B-SP #692246
Jet-Tone Al Hirt M
Schilke 14a4a

Richard Oliver

David, welcome and what fun playing again.

Trumpet Herald has a nice Comeback Players Forum if you don't know about it.

I was off 25 years, and now about 19 months back.

As far as mouthpieces go, I do nothing. Unless you want to start collecting them. Which we seem to do no matter how hard we try.

Give it a year with what you have. Unless you dig all the gearhead stuff.

I admit I'm way too entranced by equipment. A wicked spell falls over us, & we're doomed to follow the holy grail of goodies.

bilboinsa

Welcome, David. Sounds like you are set gear-wise. All you need is time with your horns. It's much more fun...when it's for fun!

Have a ball.

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Doug Walsdorf

Schilke B2
Kanstul 1525
1927 Conn 22B New York Symphony

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

POR15

I must admit Im afraid I'm getting in to a rut here. I bought the Conn because I couldn't find a Bach in the price range I wanted. Well I found a Bach, and figured I'd finace it by selling the Conn...... Humm but but but, dosen't everyone need TWO horns ? I mean what if one needs work.. What am I going to play then if I only have ONE horn.. And the Conn does look better, not as "used". But the Bach seems to slot and sound better to me.. I can't hide the 2nd horn from my wife forever !!!, it helps they are both Silver :) But sooner or later she's going to see both at once and Im really gonna hear it then.. Ok so your going to start collecting THESE now like you do 67' Camaros < 3 each> and Ham Radio gear < Don't ask> .... Great.. all I need more stress as I practice.. :)

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David Von
Bach Stradivarius Model 37 #349687. ML
Conn Constellation 52B-SP #692246
Jet-Tone Al Hirt M
Schilke 14a4a