misty.sj

I played a Blessing student trumpet from age 12 to 19 (1990 to 1997). I loved it! I especially treasure all the memories from marching band and playig pit for the high-school musicals. Then I got braces in 1995 and had a terribly hard time adjusting. I had always had a desire to learn French horn, so I thought this was my chance.

Well, I guess I got to a decent level on the French horn, because when I graduated in 1996 I entered college on a music scholarship (and without braces!). I took my trumpet with me (it had been stepped on in high school and the bell throat had seen better days), but my French horn instructor told me I couldn't play trumpet while I was playing French horn, because it was interfering with my embouchure. So I got rid of the trumpet.

I actually sold the French horn when I graduated from college. I was so burned out that I actually was having nightmares about playing. It was too much pressure to have full-time classes, work part-time, and do all of the practices and rehearsals. I think it was the best thing for my mental health, and the only time I miss the Horn is when I hear a really great Horn part.

But I have been missing the trumpet. It's now 10 years since I played a trumpet at all. I just yesterday purchased a student trumpet online, and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I can't wait to see how much I remember! I still remember all the fingerings of course, but I'm totally curious how long it will take to get the chops back.

So here I am, a re-newbie I guess. :)

administrator

Welcome to the TM Misty!

misty.sj

Thanks 'administrator'! :)

A.N.A. Mendez

I remember when I started back, it was amazing....Great tone, range to high C and I could remember some of my fav. pieces Trouble was all this lasted about 5 minutes...

Jude

For some reason it's too long ago to recall I switched from trumpet to French horn in junior high. After high school I put away all brass instruments and only picked one up 40 years later. By this time every molecule in my body has been replaced multiple times. The brain still remembers some things, the fingers some things (fewer), and the chops pretend they never encountered a mouthpiece before, especially one of these flat trumpet things. On the other hand, being a novice who can't be expected to know anything (ornamentation, for example) is really kind of fun.

Do you plan to return to The Horn again? Jean Baptiste makes a "junior French horn" for about $200 that luckily seems to be out of stock everywhere right now - I know it has to be junk, but hope springs eternal...

misty.sj

Hi Jude,

I am hoping that the trumpet quells the 'brass bug.' Actually looking back, the horn was never as enjoyable to me personally. I suppose I was good, as I put myself through college. But it was always such a struggle. God I love the sound though.

I played on a beautiful Holton double horn, and I think it gave me champagne tastes. I don't think I could handle a $200 French horn, whatever that entails. :) My trumpet I had before was a total piece of !@#$ so I am hoping that the $179 Taiwanese thing I just bought (did not arrive yet) will be at least as good, probably better since it's NEW. We will see.

At any rate I can assuage my trumpet lust for about $500 on eBay if it comes to that. The French horns that I'm attracted to are in the $3k range!!! I'm telling myself I would hate it!

Jude

Of course you would. (Good luck with the mind-management program.)

misty.sj

We do what we have to do...

tatakata

hi misty.

Vulgano Brother

Welcome, Misty.sj! You could always buy a Monette trumpet--they cost way more than most horns!