Flute_
11-24-2005, 12:38 AM
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place. The brasswinds would not let me make a thread after repeated attempts. So I'm posting this here. If the mods can move it, I'd be grateful!
Alright, story on how I got this horn - I was casually minding my own business, riding my bike on my street, when I passed my neighbor a couple houses down cleaning out his garage. So I stoped, and offered to help. I poked around through the mess of junk and found a trumpet case! Inside was a very old rusty looking trumpet. I asked where he got it from, and he said his son played it when he was in school. It's been used by about 4-5 kids before him. I asked what he planned to do with it (Was trying to sound really casual, not interested, though I was so excited! An old trumpet that no one has used for years sitting in my neighbors garage! I've been playing with the idea of doubling on trumpet for awhile..) and he said that he was going to throw it out, or give it away or something. He said I could have it "if I wanted". Oh boy did I!
So I took the horn home with me and decided not to touch him (Yes, my trumpet is a he. Havn't decided on a name yet), as I would probably make it worse by messing with it. The next morning I propmtly brought him in for inspection by my band teacher. He said it was in good, playing condition. I'm not exactly sure what else he did with it - I left my horn with him during the day as I attended my classes. After school he showed me how to correctly hold the trumpet. I didn't have a mouthpeice then (When I found it, it was just the trumpet itself, didn't have a mouthpeice with it)
That was a couple days ago, and I've aqquired a mouthpeice. I've been buzzing on it for a day or so, and this afternoon I decided I'd try to get a sound out of my trumpet. I sat down with a fingering chart, and of corse, my trumpet, and tried to play. I think I've got the buzzing down, and I can get a sound of it. But - what note is it? On the fingering chart, it says open is a G.. but also a C. How am I supposed to know what the difference is if I've never heard the two of them on a trumpet before? On the flute, if you change your air a bit, the same note goes an octave higher (Sometimes with a bit of a change in fingering). The trumpet is so much more confusing - the same fingerings can mean different notes, not just the note an octave up! Ack!
Quick description of the horn before I go on - after straining my eyes trying to read the writing on the bell, I've finally made it out. It reads: Super Artist Blessing, Elkhart Ind. The big slide (It probably has a name, excuse me!) moves fine (Since receiving my trumpet, I've been properly educated in trumpet care/matenence by my trumpet player friend Joseph. I know how to oil the valves, and grease the slides, and let the water out with the water key, etc.). It looks pretty roughed up, the shiney coating is long gone, and there is a couple dents in the bell. I'll try to get a couple of pictures later of him.
Anything you can reccomend to me - websites, advice, I'm totally clueless!
Alright, story on how I got this horn - I was casually minding my own business, riding my bike on my street, when I passed my neighbor a couple houses down cleaning out his garage. So I stoped, and offered to help. I poked around through the mess of junk and found a trumpet case! Inside was a very old rusty looking trumpet. I asked where he got it from, and he said his son played it when he was in school. It's been used by about 4-5 kids before him. I asked what he planned to do with it (Was trying to sound really casual, not interested, though I was so excited! An old trumpet that no one has used for years sitting in my neighbors garage! I've been playing with the idea of doubling on trumpet for awhile..) and he said that he was going to throw it out, or give it away or something. He said I could have it "if I wanted". Oh boy did I!
So I took the horn home with me and decided not to touch him (Yes, my trumpet is a he. Havn't decided on a name yet), as I would probably make it worse by messing with it. The next morning I propmtly brought him in for inspection by my band teacher. He said it was in good, playing condition. I'm not exactly sure what else he did with it - I left my horn with him during the day as I attended my classes. After school he showed me how to correctly hold the trumpet. I didn't have a mouthpeice then (When I found it, it was just the trumpet itself, didn't have a mouthpeice with it)
That was a couple days ago, and I've aqquired a mouthpeice. I've been buzzing on it for a day or so, and this afternoon I decided I'd try to get a sound out of my trumpet. I sat down with a fingering chart, and of corse, my trumpet, and tried to play. I think I've got the buzzing down, and I can get a sound of it. But - what note is it? On the fingering chart, it says open is a G.. but also a C. How am I supposed to know what the difference is if I've never heard the two of them on a trumpet before? On the flute, if you change your air a bit, the same note goes an octave higher (Sometimes with a bit of a change in fingering). The trumpet is so much more confusing - the same fingerings can mean different notes, not just the note an octave up! Ack!
Quick description of the horn before I go on - after straining my eyes trying to read the writing on the bell, I've finally made it out. It reads: Super Artist Blessing, Elkhart Ind. The big slide (It probably has a name, excuse me!) moves fine (Since receiving my trumpet, I've been properly educated in trumpet care/matenence by my trumpet player friend Joseph. I know how to oil the valves, and grease the slides, and let the water out with the water key, etc.). It looks pretty roughed up, the shiney coating is long gone, and there is a couple dents in the bell. I'll try to get a couple of pictures later of him.
Anything you can reccomend to me - websites, advice, I'm totally clueless!