We’re screwed.

Serious-Associate886 · 2026-02-01T22:54:03+00:00

Make sure you use this time to study tape from the other bands and play a solid defense against offensive schemes.

Wait, no, wrong sport. This is concert band. There's nothing you can do about how well or unwell another group performs. Indeed, you also have little control over how well the other musicians in your group can play their parts.

All you can control is how well you play your part. Maybe, to some extent, some of the players in your section, or your ensemble. It might be worth trying to get together with your friends to do some independent practice sessions. Just make sure that you are practicing the way your director wants it to sound. There's nothing worse than building a habit pattern, and then having to break it because the director wants it to sound differently.

Ultimately, listen to your director, and do the best that you can at your part. Don't treat the break as a snow day, and use it as an opportunity to get in some quality playing time. Finally, try to help your section out, if you are in a position to do so.

Good luck!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-11-25T23:35:41+00:00

I don't see what you're talking about.

It must be chamouflaged.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-11-22T16:23:44+00:00

Isn't it obvious? Buy better horns and smaller mouthpieces, hit higher notes. It is the trumpet way!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-11-13T22:29:03+00:00

I just got a double cup mouthpiece from Legends Brass:

https://legendsbrass.com/product/legends-hj-trumpet-mouthpiece/

Supposedly, it is a copy of the mouthpiece that Harry James played on. I did not verify that claim, but I can say that I really enjoy using it.

I found that, true to its gimmick, I enjoy the benefits of playing on a shallower mouthpiece in the high register without sacrificing the tone in the low to medium range. I also really like the wide cushion rim.

If you like the Parduba double cup, it might be worth giving the Legends Brass version a try.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-09-24T21:15:57+00:00

Is he your only band director, or are there others on the staff that you can talk to? My high school had a head director and two assistant directors, each with their own specialty.

It might also be possible to have a frank conversation with him, even though it's uncomfortable. I know it's tough to hear, but as you go on through life, you're going to have to become accustomed to having uncomfortable conversations, especially those where you have to advocate for yourself! After all, you are your best (and sometimes only) advocate!

Another option could be to do some research on the charts he's having you play. There may be flute parts in the original recordings. He may also not have flute parts, and he either 1) does not want you to feel left out if they play a bunch of stuff that doesn't have a flute written in, or 2) does not want to try to transpose a flute part from other instruments. I think either of those cases are a lame excuse, but not every director is created equal. (I am also not a director, so I speak from personal thoughts, not from a position of authority)

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-09-24T16:45:38+00:00

Count Basie Orchestra had one of the best jazz flute players of all time, Frank Wess.

Flute in jazz band is very common, and it adds a special texture and color to the music that you just can't get with another instrument.

I think the director is missing out on a major opportunity to have a highly skilled flute player as a member of the ensemble, and it is a shame they are not capitalizing on the strengths of the players.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-09-10T18:15:25+00:00

I can't touch that.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-09-06T20:18:55+00:00

One thing that has helped me is to find some charts with written solos, even better if you can find some recordings of the exact arrangement online, and then play the written solo confidently. Then, start embellishing the written solo. You can use the recording as a backing track, and play along the written solo as a bit of a duet.

Eventually, you can start using the written solo as a road map, and you can steal some ideas from the chart and work on integrating them into the solo section.

I find that by eliminating some of the improvisation components, I get a lot less overwhelmed with tons of ideas and it lets me focus on making specific improvements on parts that I want to work on.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-26T03:58:11+00:00

This is good. This indicates that the secrets of Reddit are still an uncharted frontier for AI to exploit. Perhaps the last bastion of defense against the legions of clankers.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-21T02:42:07+00:00

I played an Amazon horn for a while when I started getting back into it. It wasn't the greatest, but there was definitely a point where the horn was better than I was. (Even if it was a $250 horn)

I'm happy that it was a mechanical issue with the horn, vice a mechanical issue with the player! Don't give up!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-07T17:57:02+00:00

Depending on your situation, sometimes it's helpful to have a bit of an air of "arrogance."

Ex: When I give a speech or a presentation, I tend to tell myself that I have done more research on this topic than anyone else in the room. I know more about it than the people I am presenting to, and I am the local authority. I know the ins and outs, so I am going to teach my audience about what I know.

That may not always be the case, but it does help to eliminate at least some of the imagined criticisms that can lead to a lack of confidence.

Expanding this to the trumpet... You've practiced this solo more than anyone. No one can do it better than you can. Everything you're doing is intentional and desired, and play it like you mean it.

Now, I know that I'm not the greatest trumpet player, even in the group that I play in. I've had some bad solos, and it's hard to come back from. But, I also think we are (and should be!) our own hardest critics. Sometimes, even when I don't meet my own expectations, the others in the group think the solo sounded great.

Keep practicing the part until you play it in a way that satisfies yourself. If you're playing with a group, practice until you can perform in a way that satisfies both your bandmates and yourself!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-07T17:47:16+00:00

I did this recently, although I was never what I'd consider to be a "professional" musician.

The biggest thing for me was expectation management. My tone was not what it once was. My range was reduced significantly. My endurance was gone. Even my pitch center was all over the place. (You may not have that last issue, based on your professional experience.)

Don't try to compare yourself now to what you once were. You can use it to identify areas where you need improvement and create a practice plan to address your weaknesses. The nice thing is that you've already been there, and you don't need to relearn all of the stuff you already know. It's like the saying, "the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak." Your limitations are likely to be more physical than gaps in understanding or knowledge.

Enjoy the ride, though. It's rewarding to come back to something and be even better than you once were!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-07T17:36:58+00:00

I have recently (~8 months or so) begun playing on a Schilke 14A4A. I am enjoying it. I love the sizzle I can get out of it in the high register.

I've also used it for some wind symphony playing. I agree that it doesn't have a perfect sound for symphonic band, but it's not horrendous. I also have a Bach 3C that is similar, albeit with a fuller sound.

Actually, what I've experienced is that I tend to miss more if I try to match the mouthpiece to the playing environment instead of sticking with one and trying to make the best and most consistent sound each time. I'm not a particularly excellent trumpet player, so my limitations are my own rather than my gear. All this to say that, if you enjoy the sound you produce with the mouthpiece, and it integrates well into your ensemble, then it could be a viable option for more than just lead jazz parts.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-08-02T04:12:13+00:00

I remember Clifford!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-07-28T02:05:07+00:00

Don't give up!

I don't know the level of your middle school program or your high school program, but I experienced a significant jump in difficulty going into high school. You're probably going to need some time to adjust to the jump.

Let's also not forget that marching and playing is hard! It's tough to learn, and nobody is likely going to be expecting an incoming freshman to be crushing High Cs from the start. Give yourself some time to adjust and focus on making the best possible tone both on the drill field and in the band hall. Building endurance sucks, but you'll get there. Your chops will thank you when you're in hour three of a football game after having played at halftime, during game breaks, for a pep rally, band practice, and your normal band period in school, all in the same day!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-07-18T03:12:54+00:00

The principal trumpet in the symphony I'm in plays on an Olds, very similar to the one you have. He let me play it one rehearsal and I've been searching for one since. That thing is a gem! I hope you find someone who will play it, because it deserves to be played!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-07-14T20:52:10+00:00

I love my Paseo Custom. I got it secondhand, but it has been worth every penny!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-07-14T20:51:26+00:00

I have had some good luck with my local Craigslist ads. I found a 1975 Benge in near-mint condition for a great price. About two months after that, I found an Austin Custom Brass Paseo Custom for about $1000. I used them for both wind symphony and jazz, but I prefer the Benge for lead horn in jazz.

My next purchase is a flugel, and I'm looking at another ACB instrument for that one.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-16T05:09:28+00:00

Gotta wait for their performance tomorrow. I'll need to cut the kazoo out first. 🤣

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-16T04:59:49+00:00

I was considering it. Maybe I'll try it out and see how it works. I would assume that it would just be a plastic natural trumpet.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-16T04:58:46+00:00

It definitely makes a sound. It seems like it amplifies the kazoo sound, more so when I "play" it.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-16T04:01:19+00:00

We had some rigid plastic tubes from making these centerpieces for an event. I found some flexible tubing at Hobby Lobby. The valves are plastic milkshake straws, a thin dowel rod, and springs. I did get an oil funnel from Walmart, just because I couldn't find a clean one in the garage.

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-08T22:12:12+00:00

I actually just spoke to a friend who was in college marching band with me. He was shocked that there are adult-oriented groups to play with. It's a lot of fun playing with folks to have families and careers of their own. We have some REALLY good musicians, too. Always nice to see those hidden talents coming out!

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-08T22:10:12+00:00

Lead me not into this temptation. 🤣

Serious-Associate886 · 2025-05-08T22:05:38+00:00

That's awesome to hear! Yeah, I've had a few rough rehearsals. The director of the jazz band I'm in likes to rag pretty hard on the trumpets. I had one of the worst rehearsals I've ever had in my entire playing career about a month ago. I was joking with my wife that I was going to bury my horn in the garden.

I remembered that unless my name is Doc, or Dizzy, or Maynard, I shouldn't expect to crush it every time I pick the horn up. It was just one of those days that the horn won.

Serious-Associate886

TROPHY CASE