The Trumpet in the USA

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.