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Welcome !
Please visit my TRUMPET - specific links
page. I am in the process of cleaning it up. There you will find links to
other personal TRUMPET web sites on the internet, TRUMPET manufacturers, sound (music),
instructions for subscribing to the Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN) email
mailing list, and information regarding the TRUMPET players Usenet NewsGroup.
Story of a "Reborn" Trumpet Player:
I am considered a
"comeback" player. I started playing in January 1967. I started on a
"beater" rental, then received an Olds Ambassador two months later, such was my
initial improvement. In 1969 I bought a Conn 60B, still improving.
During this period of time, I was a member of multiple all-region and all-state
bands. I received numerous medals at solo and ensemble contests. I quit
playing after HS graduation in May 1973. I believe parental pressure (business
instead of music college studies), combined with disillusion and laziness contributed to
my discontinuation of this noble craft.
I left the US Navy (submarine force) in September 1994.
I realized I was missing something in my life, so I pulled out the 60B and started
playing again in January 1995.
I joined a British-styled Brass Band (one of only two) in
Washington state. In October 1995 I won an audition with the 133rd Army Band
(National Guard) out of Tacoma, Washington. I played in a few musicals while in
Bremerton, WA, and made several friends and mentors.
Musicals before "quitting":
"Applause" (TPT 2)
"Oliver" (lead double horn)
"Kiss Me Kate" (lead double horn)
"Cabaret" (lead double horn)
"West Side Story" (lead double horn)
Musicals played after return:
"Camelot" (TPT 3, then TPT 2--was my first since comeback)
"It's A Wonderful Life" (TPT 2,
then Lead)
"Anything Goes" (TPT 2)
"Hello Dolly" (Lead)
"Ain't Misbehaving" (Lead)
"How to Succeed at Business, Without Really
Trying" (Lead)
"The Pajama Game" (Lead)
As I was out of work, I looked to relocation in the
Dallas, Texas area. I found work in February 1997, and won an audition with the
531st Air Force Band (National Guard) in May 1997, where I still play (2nd Banana, until
someone better walks in--inevitable). I have occasionally substituted for a couple of
local jazz bands (not lead, I need much more work and experience). It's just not as
easy as it was before. I have to work very hard for the most minute amount of
improvement.
I no longer own the 60B. But I am the proud
owner of a 1953 Olds Studio model Bb trumpet (just re-lacquered),
a Courtois Flugelhorn, and a Yamaha
lacquered shepherd's crook Bb cornet from a pawn shop (still hoping one of the
children will learn with this). I now play, mostly, on a
mid-sixties Bach 1C or a
Bob Reeves 43 D-cup (jazz), and a Bob Reeves 43 flugel mouthpieces.
I have played two new large-bore trumpets that
impress me, so far -- Flip
Oake's "Wild Thing" (actually too much horn for
me at this time - please read my comments to TPIN) and a Schilke
X3 (very good horn, but by comparison didn't have me shaking in my boots to buy).
I'm still looking for that elusively perfect horn that makes one want to sell everything
he/she's got in order to obtain it. However, funds are presently limited to the
selling price of my present equipment.
I did, as a matter of fact, manage to play a horn I would
have sold all my horns to obtain, but it wasn't, exactly, offered to me :-(
It was a
1937 Calicchio. The selling agent referred to it as a "Leapfrog" Calicchio
made by Dominic himself for Don Paladino. It was fantastic! It needed a little
valve work (noisy-maybe just felts), but played like nothing I've ever played before.
I played it for two days, then I had to give it back cause I didn't feel
right taking it camping with me. When I got back, it had been sold to someone in Maine, and arrived damaged. Nearly made me cry. Wished I'd
had more time to convince the agent to sell to me. And let it be known, it
was only my fault it was sold to someone else, not the agent's
fault. Must declare this to all the masses. He's a dear friend of
mine, and would not lose his friendship for the world.
BTW (by the way), John
Lynch (Washington, DC - you can search for him in the ITG Links) has done work on my Olds, including valve
alignments. [ I have not played anything that compares with the sound, response and
flexibility of my Olds STUDIO (except the Calicchio previously mentioned). ] I think he's
one of the best repair gurus out there. Please give him your business; you'll
be glad you did. He also sells horns he's procured and repaired--most excellent
buys!
I'd like to use this paragraph to praise Donovan Bankhead (you can search for him in the ITG Links)). I was looking for a gig bag. Donovan found me a good one, for
a very good price--new. If anyone has been pondering the purchase of trumpet
accessories, or new/used equipment, please contact Donovan. He's assisted many of
the TPIN subscribers, one way or another, and he can help you, too.
Now that you've read my story, please tell me yours.
Until the next update...
20070505
Mountain View College Community Band (MVC-CB) - Starlight Band Concerts at Fair Park, Dallas, Band Shell - 1st of 3 bands plays at 7:30 PM. We are 3rd.
20070506
MVC-CB - Spring Concert at Mountain View Performance Hall - 2:30 PM
I am considered a
"comeback" player. I started playing in January 1967. I started on a
"beater" rental, then received an Olds Ambassador two months later, such was my
initial improvement. In 1969 I bought a Conn 60B, still improving.
During this period of time, I was a member of multiple all-region and all-state
bands. I received numerous medals at solo and ensemble contests. I quit
playing after HS graduation in May 1973. I believe parental pressure (business
instead of music college studies), combined with disillusion and laziness contributed to
my discontinuation of this noble craft.