Philippe

Dear Ed,
Which trumpet do you use in Rachmaninof symphony no 2? I already tried the C and it seems fine. But i want to try my B flat and see how it flies. How do you go about choosing equipment especially on pieces where the Russians traditionally would play b flat? I guess i could direct it as a general question. Does it really matter that much? I wouldn't think that it does as long as it sounds right.
Philippe

ecarroll

Philippe,

I always played it on my C, but love the sound of the Bb on Russian literature. Why not give both a try, if your section is game, and report back here?

Best from LA,
EC

Philippe

Dear Ed,
we (trumpet section) rehearsed on our b flats today and it's a go. It'll be different, the voicing is better for b flat resonnance rather than the shimmer of a C . It's fun because i have to play like a russian (maybe not quite as loud because there arent 15 double basses.) But i really think that the concept of sound for this piece and most russian literature fits the b flat especially now since i've tried them both. I wouldn't use it however on literature such as scheherazade or tchaikowsky. I think i would be selective on Shostakovich, it would all depend on the style of the voicing. I think i would use my C on Shosti 5 but not on 1. What do you think? D trumpet for Mahler 5 anyone?
Philippe

ecarroll

Philippe,

As you mentioned, Russian orchestras are huge. That much bottom makes it fun to raise the bell.

Manny makes an excellent point in his forum -- the concept of sound comes from the player, not his/her horn. You can play like a Russian on a C trumpet but, as you identify, the overtones are slightly different on the Bb.

Do whatever works in your particular setting. That, along with playing a variety of tunes over a marathon season, is the art of playing in a symphony orchestra.

(along with getting along with violists)

(and looking spiffy in tails) (I look like a cartoon character -- MUCH better in ninja black)

Pax,
EC