[TPIN] Horns, mouthpieces and section blend?

[Michael Anderson]

As a 25+ year veteran of orchestras I have never understood this myself.

I think you sound basically the same on anything. There ARE slight
differences, but they really don't matter in my opinion unless the equipment
is VERY extreme. I doubt very seriously that Bob Sullivan sounds enough
different on a bach from a yamaha to really matter one bit in that section.

For some reason, some orchestra guys are really, REALLY anal about this.
About the ONLY time I see it making much difference is perhaps when two
players in the section are trading off on solo material so you hear them as
individuals side-by-side. I agree that some (many, if not most) are
incredibly overly-obsessive on this subject. Drives me nuts.

When you get to the point you are playing orchestra equipment - larger
mouthpieces and large bore C trumpets, your personal sound concept is the
most important element of your sound...not the brand stamped on your trumpet
and mouthpiece. Too many people in this biz listen with their eyes.

If you want a good section sound, let each player play the horn and
mouthpiece that gives them personally the most confidence and comfort when
playing. That will give you much better results over forcing or even
suggesting they play something like what the principal player plays.

Phew.. I feel better now. ;-)

MA



> 
> Bob  Sullivan is a yamaha artist, but Sachs makes him play a bach when he's
> in  the orhcestra....
> 
> 
> 
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> This has always been interesting to me.  Orchestral players (at least  some
> of them) think that you have to have the same kind of horn to be able to
> blend 
> properly. (Sometimes even the same mouthpiece.)
> Commercial players have never worried about that, and still get a wonderful
> section blend with everybody playing a different horn and mouthpiece.  As I
> stated a while ago, the TRPTS section for the ITG convention was a good
> example.  Yamaha, Getzen, Edwards and Benge and all very different
> mouthpieces, yet 
> the section sounded great together.
> So - l propose yet another discussion on "equipment and sound and blend"
> from this new standpoint.
> Thanks,