We've all read the new horn first impression posts. And truthfully, even with an excellent set up, these instruments may not initially verify much in terms of durability to their new owners.
One horn can be better than another in terms of tone. But from one player to the next, tones can vary. Mouthpieces, necks, reeds and in some opinions, ligatures all can affect tone and to varying degrees response. How one musician addresses and plays a given example will be different from the next musician.
But how does a horn last? Is that horn played daily? Is it played for hours on end, or does it rest in its case until the weekend? These are all relevant questions people should consider when they question how well a brand and model will hold up over time.
It's also important to note what does need adjustment during each tech visit. Are certain matters continually cropping up? Naturally there are links etc which need adjustments on a regular basis with any given horn regardless of brand and model. The more the horn is played, the more upkeep tends to be necessary. And no horn is perfect. Not to mention some better horns may actually be more delicate in some regards than lesser grade horns.
So adjustments can be dealt with by a reputable tech. But wear is the guage which determines a definable level of quality.
Any horn can be made to feel pretty nice right out of the factory. Yet over time, the quality of the spring steel, pads and cork begin to come into play. And how often adjutments need to be made as these normal wearing parts wear over time and use. Screws, linkages and rods also come into play. But all this ought to take time. Before these details show wear through usage, we would like to think that a considerable amount of time and playing of the instrument has passed.
The reason I felt it necessary to bring up this subject is the oft printed immediate reviews of brand new instruments.
I understand the joy of having a new horn. The whole experience. The fine fresh action, the new tonalities being discovered. There aren't many experiences like owning a new thing after owning an older worn version of it.
But that's a personal experience. That 'oh Wow' period which ought to come with every new thing which replaces a similar old thing. What it isn't is the time lapse photography kind of detail showing how the thing is holding up with use.
The truth is, "the review of the brand new" doesn't offer anything in regard to long term wear-in use. Any new horn can be set up to play well enough for most peoples' abilities. But get that player who practices modal scales, or tries new ways of woodshedding just because they want to, and they'll spell things out to you under their breath you'd never hear them say otherwise.
Just as serial numbers became the quest of players and collectors alike, that time honored tradition of capturing the very era of a specific model is more desireable than another.
Let that new horn you have earn its reputation with you through use and time. Then evaluate it as best you can and let us know what you think. Not two weeks down the road, not two months down the road. Let that horn ride out at least one adjustment period. Whether you're a relatively light player and it takes a year or two, or someone who can't seem to put their horn down for too long, give the horn the honest wear-in time it and we deserve in review before you sing its praises or curse its existance.
Harv
One horn can be better than another in terms of tone. But from one player to the next, tones can vary. Mouthpieces, necks, reeds and in some opinions, ligatures all can affect tone and to varying degrees response. How one musician addresses and plays a given example will be different from the next musician.
But how does a horn last? Is that horn played daily? Is it played for hours on end, or does it rest in its case until the weekend? These are all relevant questions people should consider when they question how well a brand and model will hold up over time.
It's also important to note what does need adjustment during each tech visit. Are certain matters continually cropping up? Naturally there are links etc which need adjustments on a regular basis with any given horn regardless of brand and model. The more the horn is played, the more upkeep tends to be necessary. And no horn is perfect. Not to mention some better horns may actually be more delicate in some regards than lesser grade horns.
So adjustments can be dealt with by a reputable tech. But wear is the guage which determines a definable level of quality.
Any horn can be made to feel pretty nice right out of the factory. Yet over time, the quality of the spring steel, pads and cork begin to come into play. And how often adjutments need to be made as these normal wearing parts wear over time and use. Screws, linkages and rods also come into play. But all this ought to take time. Before these details show wear through usage, we would like to think that a considerable amount of time and playing of the instrument has passed.
The reason I felt it necessary to bring up this subject is the oft printed immediate reviews of brand new instruments.
I understand the joy of having a new horn. The whole experience. The fine fresh action, the new tonalities being discovered. There aren't many experiences like owning a new thing after owning an older worn version of it.
But that's a personal experience. That 'oh Wow' period which ought to come with every new thing which replaces a similar old thing. What it isn't is the time lapse photography kind of detail showing how the thing is holding up with use.
The truth is, "the review of the brand new" doesn't offer anything in regard to long term wear-in use. Any new horn can be set up to play well enough for most peoples' abilities. But get that player who practices modal scales, or tries new ways of woodshedding just because they want to, and they'll spell things out to you under their breath you'd never hear them say otherwise.
Just as serial numbers became the quest of players and collectors alike, that time honored tradition of capturing the very era of a specific model is more desireable than another.
Let that new horn you have earn its reputation with you through use and time. Then evaluate it as best you can and let us know what you think. Not two weeks down the road, not two months down the road. Let that horn ride out at least one adjustment period. Whether you're a relatively light player and it takes a year or two, or someone who can't seem to put their horn down for too long, give the horn the honest wear-in time it and we deserve in review before you sing its praises or curse its existance.
Harv
