A new creation

I have been "inventing" - I bet this has been done, but none-the-less it is an invention.

I play a little on low brass, a Bach USA marching baritone really - this was an impulse buy but it is proving to be more useful as time goes on, so I want to be able to easily double on it and my main instrument - the trumpet.

I took an old 12C (Blessing) and cut the shank off, and brazed a Denis Wick 5 French Horn mouthpiece - this is like a large trumpet mouthpiece, but exceptionally deep. I think the depth is what helps it keep some core in the sound - it is bright, but not horrible.

Step 1: Ruin 1 mouthpiece

Step 2: Check that they fit well. I actually drilled this out more such that the French Horn mouthpiece sat in just under 1/2" more for the sake of tuning. Play testing before brazing was a smart idea. Nearly didn't bother!

Step 3: Ruin 2 mouthpieces

Step 4: Give her a wee clean up and admire the sight of 2 ruined mouthpieces!

Step 5: Stick up a dodgey youtube video!

For neater results the brazing requires more heat than our small blowtorch can produce, so if there is a next time(s) I may invest in an oxyacetylene torch. What we have is an air-tight, strong seal, so I am happy with the result. There is a "bend" in the mouthpiece (more like an angle between the cup and shank of the piece, it was not bent, it just seated off axis when brazing). This actually feels very comfortable. I have half a mind (over-statement) to get one of my Trumpet pieces professionally bent, say to 5*. Maybe I will just drop it down (more) stairs... might work!

Anyhow, forgive the playing - I really don't play these instruments much, or ever as is the case for the Bass Trombone which had a Denis Wick 0 mouthpiece in it. (my sister's horn) The sound quality on the video is rough, but anyway you can hear my "laconic" voice... which I am sure everyone wants.. deep down, yanno?

Anyway, I have the semi-hollow body carved-top completed (not oiled yet). Very favourable comments from Mr Mark McKnight. I have some video clips from Mark's play testing with the Linley Hamilton Quintet, but the audio is clipped - I will try to fix this and seek the appropriate creative permissions to share the video here.

My blessings,

Mike

A quick recording

Another music related instalment - but only to be succeeded by many building related instalments...

My friend Jeremy asked me to throw down a quick old style blues, like 1930's era so I wrote a head chart with some horns to simulate a small big band. I say simulate because I don't play reeds, so I used a marching baritone for bass trombone and tenor trombone sounds, flugel for top trom, 3 trumpets and melody doubled on cup muted trumpet and harmon mute (no stem). I haven't worked out my "drummer"... that all time favourite joke pops to mind:

What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine?

You only have to punch the rhythms in once on a drum machine!

There are too many... onwards...

The recording itself is OK - I am happy for what it is, but since I don't play the baritone horn often I find it hard to keep in tune, furthermore, this is basically the take of the 2nd read through. The playing is deliberately in an older style but I still need to shed the blues big time! Well, here she is; "Blues for Jeremy":

http://www.box.net/shared/8yr51b1fx4

I got to use my new Rode NT2A mic - really beautiful. Multi-pattern, high SPL capability, ultra low noise design, large capsule. On the trumpet it sounds super smooth if you roll off a little around 8k - there is a peak here, I roll off from about 6k onwards, and maybe 1/2dB boost across the 100-1000Khz range for a little more body. I am going to have some fun recording more with these - I will post about this later!

Should anyone want the chart, I can send a PDF if you like... you probably have no need :)

I am taking a day away from the guitars - I am seriously wrecked, so I will just make mistakes! Back to that tomorrow, and perhaps a post outlining my newest work. I am now building 7 instruments... lots to do!

Blessings,

Mike