Brass Bulletin 43, III / 1983 página 67–68 · 1 min de lectura

The Trumpet in the USA

Diverse makers

Parte 6 – Fin

During recent years there have been many positive developments in the craft of trumpet making, specifically with respect to the smaller, higher pitched instruments, but many artists have complained that the basic B♭ and C instruments have not kept pace with the artistic needs of the profession. Indeed, many players, including this one, have spent countless hours trying to improve their instruments with varying results. During the last year or so, certain individuals and companies have begun to seriously address this problem. The Vincent Bach Corporation, under the technical leadership of Lloyd Fillio, is now developing new instruments as well as working on improvements of its standard models. Scott Lasky, working in conjunction with members of the Chicago Symphony trumpet section, is developing a new generation of Schilke C trumpets, the prototypes of which have duly impressed many top American players. And, of course, the Yamaha Corporation, under Yoshihiro Kaji, has been working with a number of Americans, and others, in its efforts to develop artist class instruments.

There are three little-known, yet very important, American technicians who are providing a very valuable service to today’s trumpeters by providing unique leadpipe alterations for existing instruments. The degree of success these individuals have achieved mandates bringing their work to the attention of the world’s trumpet playing population.

David Monette (1419 Monon Drive, Bloomington, Indiana 47401) has developed, and is presently manufacturing, leadpipes for B♭ and C trumpets, this with the aid of a number of top American trumpeters. The B♭ pipe is of state-of-the-art design; the C pipe is of B♭ length, which requires a shortened top tuning crook slide. The playing characteristics of both pipes feature a freeblowing, well-centered response, as well as a very even response in all registers. Only very recently, Monette has begun to design his own trumpets in C and B♭. Charles Schluetter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra has been using one of Monette’s C trumpets during the last few weeks.

Bob Malone (Bob Malone’s Brass Technology, Minick’s Music Company, 2484 South Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA, 90064) is making leadpipes which feature outer sleeve tuning slides mounted on longer length pipes. The result is a more even, B♭ type response in all registers, with improved intonation; and the sound, when mounted on a Bach C trumpet, for example, is slightly lighter and clearer then a stock Bach pipe. This design has less resistance than the Monette pipe, and the density of sound is correspondingly less.

Clifford Blackburn (3602 Johnston Way, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 40220) is the man who developed the famous «Louisville» pipes for piccolo trumpets. His model 1B C trumpet pipe is very similar to the Bach 25A in length, but it features an improved response and intonation, and it is definitely easier to play, as I’m certain anyone currently using the 25A would agree.

Many years ago, William Vacchiano of the New York Philharmonic purchased a Bach D trumpet which played horribly sharp in pitch. When he complained to Vincent Bach, the latter, in his own inimitable style, responded by saying Vacchiano didn’t know how to play the instrument properly! So Vacchiano put the instrument in a closet and never played it. Twenty years later he discovered the instrument had been improperly fitted with an E♭ trumpet leadpipe!

We’ve come a long way since that time, and we now seem to be entering a new era, one where the manufacturers are more willing to work with us in our quest for better instruments.

Compartir este artículo

Facebook LinkedIn

Menú

The Trumpet in the USA

I chose to address myself to new music rather than new trumpet

Editorial

The Haydn Trumpet Concerto

The Haydn Trumpet Concerto

The Haydn Trumpet Concerto

Preferencias de cookies