GordonH

Hello Ed,

I think you worked in the Uk for a while so I guess you must have played Bb as well as C trumpet a lot in orchestras.

What do you think about the advantages and disadvantges?
bearing in mind that its possible to get a C that sounds quite like a Bb I was wondering if the transpositional issues make using a C viable over here (e.g. for all those trumpet in E parts which are easier on a C trumpet).

I played my C at an Arthur Sullivan concert in June where I had trumpet in C, Trumpet in Bb, cornet in A and some trumpet in F and E parts. Overall I felt it was easier than doing it on a Bb, but there was some sound compromise.

Any opinions?

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I used to have a career, now all I do is play Schumann.

ecarroll

Gordon,

With the exception of the German Bb, I've mostly been a C trumpet player throughout my study and career. That said, I strongly believe that your choice should always be dictated by the sound you yourself want to produce. You can teach a chimp to transpose but not to make a beautiful sound. It sounds to me, from the comment above, like you should go with the Bb.

The Chicago Symphony just recorded Shostokovich 5th on Yamaha Bbs. I'm sure that they did so not to make statement -- but because they thought it sounded better.

Best,
EC

trumpetnick

I constantly switch between C and B flat. But personally like more my sound on B flat and feel better with it.
A C trumpet is not supposed to sound like a C...LSO don't play on C trumpet. I had lessons with 3 of their trumpeters - one of them was playing ever on C trumpet. Only Nigel Gomm said once: "I used to play C trumpet when I was younger..." I guess that there is slight british macho flavour there...

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

GordonH

Thanks Ed

I have always gone for a rounder sound so the Bb makes sense most of the time, its just when you end up in six or seven sharps its more difficult to keep the intonation right.
Its probably just down to more practicing.

Yes, we have a pronounced macho Bb thing here. I normally play D trumpet parts on Bb unless I am requested to use D by the conductor. Unless its high Bach or Handel where there is an expectation of D or piccolo, but even then the other trumpets often play on Bb.

__________________
I used to have a career, now all I do is play Schumann.

ecarroll

Gordon,

I was never under the impression that prefering the Bb was a "macho thing" when I was teaching at the RAM. Many of our faculty and students came from the brass band tradition, however, as so many trumpeters in the UK have. I always attributed Bbcentricism (to make up a word) to that.

Traditions are powerful things, as we all recognize, but so is evolution. I've noticed that trumpeters are starting to be more personally creative in instrument choices than they were when I first arrived on the scene.

Bbs are wonderful, as are Cs. I'm in love with my 4-valve Eb & G and confess that I'm a cornetist at heart. Fun stuff that we do, isn't it?

Best,
EC

GordonH

Yes, when I am playing modern music thats written with C trumpet in mind I tend to use my 4 valve Eb trumpet because I think it sounds better, so no matter what I am always transposing. I have not seen a Bb trumpet part for over a year!

__________________
I used to have a career, now all I do is play Schumann.

trumpetnick

Ed, I guess that this make us two! I love playing cornet, but it is difficult to make money and pay the rent with a cornet (unless your name is Roger Webster)...The macho comment was rather a joke...I actually thought of the myth about Maurice Murphy, saying that he performed the Brandenburg 2 on the normal (not picc) B flat trumpet...For some reason, londoners always prefered the B flat/D (or E flat)/piccolo set up then B flat/C/piccolo which is more commong among europeans and US...

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

Vulgano Brother

I'm trusting you are one of those super-macho, raw meat eating Alpha types that like to "rip the bell off the cornet"--please Ed, don't tell me you are into "velvet" except as a basis for your Elvis paintings.

Cornet......my goodness!

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ecarroll

Vulg,

To answer I refer you to the EC Archive: http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f146...net-24591.html (Chez Cornet)

(My) goodness indeed,
EC

rowuk

I have always been confused why trumpet players are willing to pay as much for a C as a Bb - it has 1/6th less tubing!

If you want to get a job, play what the locals do. Once you have tenure, you can afford to make your point. There is no universal truth!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.