Jon Kratzer

I've never been a big Monette fan. I've been been die hard with my Bach C trumpet that I had built for me in 2001. It's been good to me and has been the best C trumpet I've played so far, but here are my thoughts on what I felt about this Monette today.

The first thing I did was record several things on each horn and listen to them a few hours later in a mixed way without knowing which one I played as a blind test to eliminate any partial judgement. My first impression of the Monette was very perplexing. I felt like I was overblowing the horn. I was playing what sounded behind the horn like a nice solid MF, while the spectactor was more or less being plowed down by my sound. It was monsterously loud without any edge on it, yet behind the bell It didn't sound loud at all. I played with my aural concept in mind and found I had to manipulate the horn to sound the way I wanted it to, rather than just blow and let the equipment work for me. On the positive note, the horn was very easy to manipulate, I've never played a monette that was this easy to work around on.

As for the other side of things I noticed a few things. I listen very closely to my sound, as I feel it's one of my top priorities. From behind the bell I didn't feel like the horn resonated the way I'm used to, it seemed to lack that vibrant shimmering yet warm and encompassing sound I always try to get. So decide to hit the basics on this horn, long tones, scales, slurs, ad nauseum. Still no dice.. I recorded as many excerpts as I could remember off the top of my head. We came back to it and listened, and immediately I could hear a major difference between the two, although to be honest I couldn't really tell which one was my Bach, all I knew was that there was a horn I favoured more. I listened for a long time and wrote down notes on each horn "Horn A sounded like ____, while Horn B sounded like _____" on each excerpt. In the end it was a 80/20 split Bach/Monette. Perhaps things would have been different if I had played on a Monette Mouthpiece, instead of my GR, but I just can't find a Monette Mouthpiece that I like, at all.

I still think the C trumpet is a fantastic horn, it's just not for me.

Does any one else have any expierence with these trumpets?

Jon

__________________
Seid bereit, immer bereit.
http://www.jonkratzer.com - down for construction-
http://www.grmouthpieces.com

TrentAustin

I'm almost certain any mouthpiece other than a Prana Monette wouldn't gel with that horn.

I've played a few Prana trumpets and that's been the case for me.

__________________
Trent Austin
lurking around. If you want to chat PM me.
http://www.trentaustin.com
http://www.onlinejazzimprovisation.com

Pedal C

I have one of those horns, although mine is from 2005 before they started making their own valve casings. I haven't gotten to try a new one.

I agree that the feedback to the player is different and I'm not surprised that it never sounded right as you were playing. It took a little time to believe that the audiance was hearing it right, even though it sounded different to me. I got used to it pretty quickly, but I had access to a very live performance hall to practice in, and that helped a lot.

Using the non-Monette mouthpiece makes it pretty tough to really judge. I've done it (just out of curiosity) and I didn't enjoy it. I felt like it was a LOT of work to play and the sound was very dull with my Bach mouthpiece. The intonation was pretty screwy too. If you have a chance and can try it with a Monette mpc that FEELS ok, even if you hate in on your Bach, it might be worth another trial. Better or worse, I'm fairly sure it'll be different than the GR!

In any case, it sounds like you gave it a pretty open minded trial, which is more than some would do! It could be that Monette stuff just isn't in sync with your chops for some reason...ironically, I've tried a few GRs and can't play a lick on 'em so maybe they're just incompatable!

Jason.

__________________
"The oboe's A is to make sure we still play it 1 and 2" - Bud Herseth

"One way or another, every patient stops bleeding." - Scrubs

Manny Laureano

Yeah, Jon, that's a good idea. If you can get a comparably sized Monette mouthpiece and try it again if you can. I read your post and was surprised it was that close until the punchline, "Perhaps things would have been different...."

You seem eager to be fair and I think this is the only fair test except for the recording device. You're better off with a few pairs of good ears listening from seats in a hall of some sort.

ML

camelbrass

Manny, now known as 'Toady'. Bet you look great in waistcoat and plus fours!!!


Sorry Jon couldn't resist.


Regards,


Trevor

Jon Kratzer

" Bet you look great in waistcoat and plus fours!!!"

I have no idea what that means.....

__________________
Seid bereit, immer bereit.
http://www.jonkratzer.com - down for construction-
http://www.grmouthpieces.com

camelbrass

Jon,

Haven't you ever read "The Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame?


Regards,


Trevor

Jon Kratzer

No, sorry I haven't.

As far as getting "a few pairs of good ears" it's extremely hard to get other pros in the area to help out, we're all so busy it's not the easiest thing in the world, and unfortunately this was sort of a one time trial with that horn. I wish I had more time with it, but unfortunately the owner had to split town and get back to his area.

Maybe I'll get another chance some day.


jon

__________________
Seid bereit, immer bereit.
http://www.jonkratzer.com - down for construction-
http://www.grmouthpieces.com

Manny Laureano

Jon,

Check the typo at the thread title. Truth is I didn't even notice it until Trevor's post and I was all set to be offended then got the Wind in the Willows picture in my head... too funny.

ML

TrentAustin

Rofl

__________________
Trent Austin
lurking around. If you want to chat PM me.
http://www.trentaustin.com
http://www.onlinejazzimprovisation.com