Lignum-Tech Mouthpiece Review

Mouthpieces are metal right? Not always. In addition to brass and stainless steel, other materials are being used. Awhile ago I did a review of a lexan mouthpiece from Kelly. Now, I'm pleased to announce this review is of a wooden mouthpiece from Lignum-Tech in Ingersheim, Germany! I received a 5 AL mouthpiece (large shank) in Madagascar Ebony. Lignum-Tech only recently came out with their trombone and euphonium line so its still a little limited size wise but it has very popular sizes that should work for most tenor trombone and euphonium players.

Shipping - I was very impressed with the shipping of this mouthpiece. The box that it came with was very secure. The whole box was almost completely covered in tape which is a very good thing when shipping something like a mouthpiece. Inside the outer box was a smaller, black formal box that fit snuggly in the outer box. And finally, inside this black box was the mouthpiece inside of a soft mouthpiece bag. The whole packaging system was very well thought out and very secure. I find it highly unlikely that the mouthpiece could ever be damaged with his packing system. Also, the shipping was very speedy for coming such a long way.

Shipping rating - 5/5

Design/Comfort - The feel of wood on your chops can be daunting to think about. After all, could you imagine putting one of those woodworking projects you've done on your embouchure and buzzing? Well put those doubts aside, this is the most comfortable mouthpiece I've played on. The wood itself is covered with a high-performance coating from Heyday's (organic anorganic hybrid polymer). The surface is slick, more so than my gold plated mouthpieces. So if you like being able to move your lips around easily, this will be very beneficial for you. The piece is made from a single section of wood and it is all wood. This means that even the shank is wood so I would be more careful than usual inserting and removing the mouthpiece. The material also means that the piece is lightweight and good for extreme temperatures as there wood is less conductive than metal. The Heyday's surface also means that you do not need to do the annual oiling like older wooden mouthpieces do. The mouthpiece itself seems to be very close to the Schilke 52 and Dennis Wick 5AL it is compared to on the website so you can trust all of the comparisons. This is definitely one of my favorite mouthpieces I've played from a  feel and comfort standpoint.


Design/Comfort - 5/5


Tone - Tone and sound are always the most important factor in a mouthpiece because, lets be honest, that is what the audience hears and we are performing to please the audience. As always when you alter the material of a mouthpiece, the sound is also altered. The Lignum-Tech mouthpiece produces a warm, mellow tone. The higher harmonics (overtones) are dampened so do not expect this piece to have a piercing sound. I would definitely use this in most situations for wind bands and especially in small ensembles. Don't expect a powerhouse out of this mouthpiece but do expect a quality, warm tone which is useful for a lot of ensemble playing.


Tone - 4.5/5


Pros

• Warm, mellow sound
• Comfortable in both hot and cold temperatures
• No annual oiling 
• Unique
• Slick feel (some could find this as a con but personally, its a pro)

Cons

• Rather expensive
• Not suitable for when a piercing sound is needed.

Price - 159 Euros (about $230 at the time of writing but this also includes 20% VAT). You can ask for a quote or order here.

Overall - I am very impressed with this Lignum-Tech mouthpiece. It is a very comfortable piece to play on and produces a warm, rich tone. It is simply a beautiful sounding and looking mouthpiece. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a versatile ensemble piece. Lignum-Tech is currently the only wooden mouthpiece manufacturer to my knowledge and quite honestly, I would not want to compete with a product of their caliber. Very well done Lignum-Tech!

Overall - 5/5

Photos

(blurred information for privacy)

Tips For Buying Your First Trombone

Chances are that if you've opened this article, you (or your child) are someone who is interested in learning to play trombone. If so, congratulations! You have chosen an amazing instrument, capable of playing everything from jazz to ska. You have also probably entered into the unknown territory of purchasing an instrument. Fear not, I will do everything I can to steer you in the right direction!

First of all, you've probably seen brands such as Tristar and Cecilio on eBay. These prices have insanely low prices. My advice is stay away! You may get a decent horn from these guys, but you also may get a horn that is unplayable. The truth is that there is no concept of quality control with these brands and the instrument wont last. You're better off with going for brands which I'll go more in-depth into later in the article.

Terminology

You have probably been exposed to many different terms which you are unfamiliar with in your search for a beginner trombone. I'll try to explain what each one is and what it does.

Bore Size - The bore size of a trombone is the diameter of the tubing of the instrument, measured in the handslide. Basically larger bores will produce a darker, warmer tone. However, they also require much more air to play. In general, your first trombone should be a small bore (.500" or.509"). If you are an adult beginner, you may want to look into a medium bore (.525") however, I would still recommend a small bore instrument for your first trombone.

Bell Size - Bell size is usually directly related to bore size. It is is exactly what the name implies, how wide the bell's diameter is. A beginner horn should have a bell size of 8" unless you are using a medium bore where it may have a size of 8.5"

Shank - Shank refers to the size of the opening of the leadpipe. This determines whether the instrument will take large shank or small shank mouthpieces. Your first trombone should have a small shank as all small and medium bore horns have a small shank receiver.

Material - Trombones generally are made of two materials: Yellow brass and Red brass. Yellow brass is the material used in many trombones, including almost all student trombones. Yellow brass produces a strong fundamental sound which keeps its tone well at all dynamic levels. Red brass produces a warmer sound and is more flexible in the colors of every dynamic. Generally, yellow brass is what you'd want for your first trombone.

Key - Tenor trombones should be in the key of Bb. This means that the fundamental note, in first position is a Bb. If you get a trombone with a rotary valve, it should be in the key of Bb/F. Trombone is a non-transposing instrument even though its fundamental pitch is a Bb. This means that when a trombonist plays a written C, a C is sounded.

F - Attachment - This is the part of a trombone which is most easily identified as "the extra tubing around the tuning slide." With this option, you have a trigger which essentially turns first position into sixth and second into seventh. I would recommend not getting an F - Attachment on your first trombone. A straight trombone is much more free blowing, plus you truly learn the last two positions with a straight trombone.

Which Trombone is Right for Me?

Assuming you are a beginner I would recommend a straight, small shank, yellow brass,.500" bore, 8" bell trombone. This trombone will be the most durable and will be the easiest to produce a good sound on. Here are some models I would suggest.

These are new trombones, price is something to be noted. Generally with instruments you get what you pay for.

YSL-354 - This is the Yamaha student model. This was my first trombone. It is very durable, has good build quality, good tone, and great reliability. In my opinion Yamaha makes the best student model on the market, however it is more expensive than other models.

YSL-350C - This is an interesting Yamaha model. This is nicknamed "The Short Bone" in the trombone community. It has a trigger which puts the instrument into C eliminating the need for sixth and seventh positions. This is ideal for a young musician who can't reach or someone who needs a smaller instrument to travel with.

Getzen 351 - This is a great option for a student model instrument. Very nice student horn, and cheaper than the Yamaha.

Blessing BTB-1280 - This is another great model. Not quite as good as the previous options but still a very viable option and cheaper than the other three.

Giardinelli GTB 512 - I have not heard much about this horn. However, everything I've heard is that it's a great horn for the price. The cheapest option of all my recommendations.

Used horns

Used horns are a great option for beginners. They are much cheaper than new horns and often play just as well. Also, they will hold their value well unless you do major damage to them.

Any of the above are good used. Also, you can probably find pretty good deals on older instruments such as: Conns, Olds (any straight horn), and Kings.

If you'd like to talk to me about your trombone purchase, please feel free to contact me through the website below. I'll be glad to help you with anything trombone related!

Good luck in your first trombone purchase and in your pursuit of playing this great instrument!

Low Brass Forums

Hey guys, so recently, there has been an active, good low brass forum start up. The site is http://lowbrass.org and it is mostly amateurs passing around some advice and personal experiences. Right now, the members are a great set of people I can't wait to see where the site goes. Come join us! My username on the site is EuphBone

Kelly Mouthpiece Review

Have you ever thought that I'd be cool to have a mouthpiece in a color such as red or blue? How bout crystal clear? Maybe even glow-in-the-dark? If so, then Kelly Mouthpieces are a product that you must check out. Kelly Mouthpieces are made from lexan which is a type of plastic, this means that they can offer mouthpieces in a wide variety of colors. For trombone and euphonium they have the standard sizes of 12C, 6.5AL, and 51D for small shank. They also have  5G, 51D, and 1.5G for large shank. They even have 5G and 51D for european shank. The product I received from Kelly was a crystal clear, large shank 51D mouthpiece.

Shipping - My mouthpiece was shipped to me in a standard packing envelope with the mouthpiece inside of a plastic bag inside. One effect of the piece being plastic is that it does not dent (well, I'm sure you could if you really tried, and heated the mouthpiece, but this is under normal circumstances). As a result, had this shipping method been used with a brass mouthpiece, I would be appalled. However, unless you catch a postman who is really, really angry that day, I highly doubt you'd have any issues with the piece. So I would consider the shipping job safe for what it is. Shipping was also very prompt.

Shipping rating - 4.5/5

Design/comfort - Wow! If you've never used a lexan piece before, I would highly suggest at least trying one. It is a very comfortable feel on your embouchure. Not to mention, it will feel comfortable no matter what the environmental temperature is! I put mine in my freezer for over an hour, took it out and immediately starting playing on it in my trombone. The difference in temperature was barely noticeable. As for the design, I have no complaints, very high quality of build and the dimensions feel the same as my Schilke 51D. One final advantage to lexan is that it is hypoallergenic. This is invaluable to those who are allergic to brass or silver.

Design/comfort - 5/5

Tone - I know what you're thinking. I can hear it through the computer. You're thinking, "But, plastic obviously can't sound as good as a traditional metal mouthpiece!" To be perfectly honest, going into this, I wasn't completely sure what to expect from this mouthpiece in terms of tone quality. Yes, the tone is different. However, I would not consider it worse, just different. The sound isn't as bright and sounds a bit more diffuse than my Schilke. I would have no issues using this mouthpiece in a wind band setting for performance. I plan on posting a sound comparison between a few of my mouthpieces (the Kelley, Bach Megatone, Schilke, and Monette) within the next few weeks, so that way you can hear for yourself what each piece sounds like.

Tone - 4/5

Pros

• Cost
• Unique
• Variety of colors
• Comfortable, especially across temperature ranges
• Specifications are accurate to those we are used to
• Very durable/doesn't dent under normal circumstances

Cons

• Many players look down upon plastic (with little basis in truth I might add)
• Some argue that the core of sound is lost, however in my personal playing I have not experienced this to a significant degree
• Colored mouthpieces may not be accepted in some venues, i.e. Orchestras. However, this has the possibility of changing in the future.

Price

Large shank - $26

Small shank - $24

Both from kellymouthpieces.com

Overview - This concept for mouthpieces is brilliant in my opinion. Lexan mouthpieces have many practical advantages such as they are hypoallergenic, a poor conductor of heat, and they're lighter. On top of this, lexan opens up a wide variety of colors for the performer. The sound difference that I noticed was significant enough to be noticed, however I would not go as far as to say its worse. It is simply different just as all materials are. Kelly mouthpieces are a great option for those on a budget, students who can be rough with equipment, and those looking for a unique piece. I would definitely recommend trying a lexan piece. I'm very happy to add this mouthpiece to my arsenal and it will definitely be getting use, especially for outdoor gigs in winter. Great job to Kelly Mouthpieces!

Overall rating - 4.5/5

Photos - I don't have many as my camera had a lot of issues trying to pick it up due to it being clear so almost all of the pictures I had were blurry. If I manage to get anymore good ones, I'll update the post.

Beginner Trombone Mouthpiece Advice

Mouthpieces are the part of a brass instrument which directly contacts your embouchure or lips. Being the first part of the instrument that the air and sound passes through, it is an important part of the instrument. In this article I'll help guide you through what mouthpieces are and how to choose one that will suit your needs.

Mouthpieces are also a very personal choice and many players can get into heated conversations about the differences in mouthpieces and what is better. In reality, some mouthpieces work for some people and others work for others. This is due to a variety of factors including: concept of sound, range, natural embouchure, etc.

Parts of a Mouthpiece

Rim - The rim of a mouthpiece is the part of the mouthpiece which contacts the embouchure. In most cases it is slightly rounded to improve comfort. The inner diameter of the mouthpiece is also an important measurement in determining the right size of mouthpiece for you.

Cup - This should be pretty self-explanatory. The cup of a mouthpiece is the inner part where the lips vibrate and sound is carried through the mouthpiece and eventually out the bell. Cup depth is the other important measurement in determining the right mouthpiece for you.

Throat - The throat of the mouthpiece is the smallest aperture (opening) in the mouthpiece. It is found at the bottom of the cup. After this point, the diameter will continue to increase throughout the mouthpiece. You can also find this spot by looking down the backbore of the mouthpiece. Throat size is basically standard for mouthpieces at the beginner and intermediate levels. Higher level musicians will learn what size throat they like to play on. This mainly affects the airflow through the mouthpiece and instrument.

Backbore - The backbore of the mouthpiece is the opening behind the throat of the mouthpiece. Usually it is shaped like a funnel, increasing the bore all the way to the end of the mouthpiece. Some manufacturers will sell mouthpieces with different size backbores, but as with throats, this should not really be changed from standards for beginner and intermediate players.

Shank - The shank of a mouthpiece is part below the cup. From the outside, it should look like a cylinder. For trombone and euphoniums there are two main shank sizes and one less commonly used one. The two main ones are small and large shank and the other is medium or european shank. These determine which instruments it will fit. European shanks are generally only used on euphoniums and baritones.

Bach Nomenclature System - This is the most common way that mouthpieces are sized. The Bach system consists of a number and then a letter. The number refers to the relative size of the inner diameter of the rim. The lower the number is, the larger the diameter of the mouthpiece. The letter after the number is generally a relative size of the cup. For most of the small shank mouthpieces this letter is a C. The large shank mouthpieces are generally a G.

Mouthpiece Suggestions -

Bach 12C - This is the standard beginner mouthpiece. It is a relatively small size. This is what almost all beginner trombones come with. After playing awhile, most people will switch to larger pieces. Some jazz artists will play on 12C's but no one that I know of in an orchestra or wind ensemble will play a tenor trombone with a 12C.

Bach 6.5AL - This is a typical mouthpiece to step up to. This is usually the 2nd mouthpiece of trombonists. It is larger than the 12C and also comes in both large and small shanks. Most large bore instruments will come with a 6.5AL as the stock mouthpiece. It is a good mouthpiece to get used to the larger instrument. I would recommend switching to this after about 2-3 years. The larger size will facilitate better tone and more flexibility in most musicians.

Bach 5G - So you've made it to the 6.5AL and are looking for a different mouthpiece. You want something with more room. Maybe you have a.547" bore horn now and are looking for the best mouthpiece for it. The 5G is a standard size for students on large bore horns. It is a mouthpiece with a decent sized cup and rim that allows for a comfortable, full range. Many first trombonists in symphonies use this size piece. It is a very nice all around mouthpiece and I highly recommend it to intermediate players who have been playing on a 6.5AL. After you make it to this piece you should be noticing what you like and don't like in mouthpieces and you should be able to make informed decisions after this point as to what to use.

Bach 1.5G - So now you want to move into bass trombone territory? Bass trombonists use large mouthpieces in order to reach pedal tones with a full sound. The Bach 1.5G is a good first time bass mouthpiece. It's not as massive as a 1G but it gives you plenty of room to work with.

Types of Mouthpieces

As a beginner or intermediate, I would suggest you stick with conventional mouthpieces. That is silver plated brass mouthpieces from a manufacturer such as Bach or Faxx. These will give you the least trouble while you develop your own playing style and preferences. Once you make it to the 5G point you may want to experiment with different materials and shapes. When I bought my first 5G I went with a 5G Megatone because my concept of sound is very warm and focused. Megatones add weight to the mouthpiece and open up the throat which results in less resistance and a change in the timbre. Also you can try other materials. For instance, gold plating on a mouthpiece will often make the rim more slick allowing your lips to move more. Stainless steel has no plating and is more slick than gold. The biggest thing though is trying as many mouthpieces as you can before purchasing when you're ready to start experimenting with different types.

For what its worth, at the time of writing, I play on a Monette TT-4L. This mouthpiece is very heavy, gold plated, and has a very open throat. You can even pass a standard wooden pencil through it!

I'm more than happy to talk with and help people with mouthpiece selection. If you would like more information on any mouthpiece or would like me to make a personalized suggestion for you please contact me through one of the links below or by sending an email to trombone.euphonium@gmail.com.

Bringing Color to Music!

Many of us have had our band directors or orchestra conductors tell us to about the colors of sound music. The technical term for this is timbre (pronounced TAM-ber). However, one company producing mouthpieces in Wisconsin, USA, is taking this phrase literally. Kelly Mouthpieces sells lexan mouthpieces in popular sizes for all brass instruments. These mouthpieces are produced in a wide variety of colors on account of them being plastic. They have everything from wedding white, radical green, crystal clear and even glow-in-the-dark!

In the near future I expect to be receiving a complimentary crystal clear 51D from Kelly mouthpieces. As usual I will do a full review which will be posted about a week after I receive the mouthpiece. In the meantime, here is a video of James Stretton performing Bugler's Holiday by playing 12 parts. Neil Morley is a guest musician for a whopping 2 notes. Stretton plays all of the parts on kelly mouthpieces.

Exciting news!

Well, I'm currently having conversations with an instrument dealer. There may be more instrument reviews coming on the site in the not too distant future! Very excited about this possibility.

To those who celebrate, Happy Easter!

Practice Mutes

Ever been in a situation where you wanted (or needed) to practice yet the situation required that volume had to be low? Thats where practice mutes come in.

Practice mutes are mutes that usually look much like straight mutes which are inserted into the bell. Their purpose is the keep the volume low as to not annoy those around you. However, most practice mutes are notorious for causing intonation problems, inconsistency in partials, excessive resistance, and  generally causing bad habits.

Here is an article reviewing 5 of the most common trombone practice mutes. The mutes tested are: Wallace, Softone, Humes and Berg, Dennis Wick, and Yamaha Silent Brass.

http://www.trombone.org/articles/library/viewarticles.asp?ArtID=166

10 Trombone Tips

Here are some great tips on how to improve your tone quality and sound on trombone! While most of these tips are fairly widely known, it never hurts to review! Not to mention you might find something out that you hadn't known before, or didn't know the reasoning behind it. These come from Jim Beckel, Principal Trombone, Indianapolis Symphony and Adjunct Professor of Trombone at DePauw University. 


The article can be found here: http://www.depauw.edu/music/resources/tipsfromtheexperts/PDF/TromboneTips-Beckel.pdf


Although these are written for trombone, they apply to euphonium as well so euphonium players should check it out as well!

Neotech Trombone Grip - Review

Recently, I received a Trombone Grip made by Neotech. I had had little experience with Neotech before this grip. I mainly knew about them from friends who played sax and loved their neck straps. This trombone grip though is very intriguing. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first... Read on to find out if I ended up liking it.

Design - The design of this grip has 3 main parts, the bushings, the "hook" which latches onto the bushing, and the strap. The grip also comes with three bushings, meaning that no matter which type of brace your trombone has, there will be a bushing to fit it. The grip can be a bit daunting to try to figure out how it works for the first time, but once you figure it out; it becomes extremely easy to put on and take off. (Watching this video helps a ton!) The trombone will also still fit in your normal case with the bushing attached which is a major plus. Also, you can adjust the grip to different lateral positions as well as different rotations so you won't have to change your normal grip to work with the grip. In all there are 18 possibilities for the strap. The design is very innovative and very unique.

Design rating  - 4.5/5

Effectiveness - Lets be honest, effectiveness is the most important aspect of any trombone grip/brace. Neotech doesn't come up short in this aspect either. This grip does not reduce the weight of the instrument (such as the ergobone), but rather it redistributes and helps you carry the weight easier. One of the best things about this grip is it eliminates the problem of the "death grip." This means that people (students especially) can't use excessive grip strength while holding the instrument with this grip. "Death grips" are a major factor in tension in the embouchure and throat. This grip seems to place more weight on my elbow and wrist than without it. For me, I like this because they are larger muscle groups and can be used for longer periods of time without fatigue.

Effectiveness rating - 4/5

Pros

• Eliminates the "death grip"
• Increases endurance
• Cheaper than every other grip I've seen
• comfortable to use
• Easy to adjust the strap placement

Cons

• Takes awhile to figure out (Video helps a ton though)
• Elbow tends to get sore when first adjusting (could be just me, and it improves as you use it more)
• Can't use it with my HERCULES trombone stand

Price - $27.95 from Neotech

Overall - This grip is a great value. If you (or one of your students) are having issues with weight, it would be a great investment. This grip is very affordable and functions very well. It also helps decrease tension in the embouchure due to high grip tension. It may take awhile to find your ideal setting; but once you do, this grip will help your endurance, tone, and even breath support due to relaxing your body. This is also a very durable product and they sell extra bushings so you don't have to buy a whole new grip for all of your trombones. Neotech has done a great job in designing and producing a cheap and effective grip for trombone.

Overall rating - 4.5/5

Pics

Bushing on trombone

Strap

Grip on the trombone

JamStands Trombone Stand - Review

Recently I received a JamStands Trombone Stand from Ultimate Support. This trombone stand is a typical in-bell stand common among most players. This stand has proven its self very well in my testing of it.

I have been using this stand for awhile now, including youth orchestra rehearsals and a two day band clinic. So This stand has gotten plenty of use.

Design  - The design of this trombone stand seems fairly basic, however they have taken an attention to detail which makes this stand nice. First of all, the section where the bell meets the stand is contoured to the shape of a bell, much like a mandrel. This increases the surface area that the bell rests on and will distribute the force of any disturbance much more safely. There is also a spring below the resting area which is a bit looser than most others I've used, but it still does its job nicely. The tripod at the bottom is very efficient and appears to be very durable. The height of the stand is also adjustable  providing a rather compact size for transport and a reasonable range of heights for use.

Design rating - 4/5

Stability - For an in-bell trombone stand, I found this stand to have very good stability. While the tripod is not too wide, it does its job very well and provides a fair amount of stability. Of course, with any in-bell stand, it can be rather unstable if you were to accidentally knock it in a direction not over any of the tripod legs.

Stability rating - 4/5

Mobility - This stand performs about on par in the mobility department. The stand collapses down rather nicely into a compact package. It is very easy for me to carry both my trombone case and this stand in the same hand. It is also a fairly lightweight stand. Because it is also very easy to set up and take down, it makes a great in-bell stand for any gig.

Mobility rating - 3.5/5

Pros

• Price
• Basic, proven design
• Nice contact point between bell and stand
• Durable and stable

Cons

• In some directions the stand is not too stable
• Although its on par with most stands, mobility leaves something to be desired

Price - $19.99 from most stores such as wwbw.com

Overall - This stand is a good in-bell trombone stand. It is also a great price performer. Unless you want to spend more than 60 or 70 bucks, I would be hard pressed to find a better, widely available, in-bell trombone stand. I would definitely recommend the JamStands Trombone Stand to anyone looking for an in-bell trombone stand. This will become my main stand for my alto trombone.

Overall - 4/5

Pictures

(Note I use a sock on all my in-bell stands to further help prevent damage to the bell, the use of the sock does not reflect on any particular experience with the JamStands Trombone Stand)

Upper Mechanism of the Stand:

Amati ASL-601 Eb Alto Trombone on the Stand:

Bach Stradivarius 42BO on the Stand

Trombone Stand by Laurel - Review

Recently, I received a Trombone Stand by Laurel from musicstandsalone.com. This is their version of a basic, traditional "in-bell" trombone stand. I have been pleased with this stand.


I have used this stand at my youth orchestra rehearsal as well as a church rehearsal and performance. I have tested the stand in different settings so I could get a full view of its strengths and weaknesses.


Design - The design of this stand is a basic in-bell trombone stand. at the top there is a cap (feels like plastic), a round dome for for even weight distribution of the trombone, a spring, and a metal ring for adjusting the height of the dome. The spring is a nice feature as it allows a bit of give to the dome so that it helps absorb the shock of placing the instrument on the stand. The stand is also telescoping, and can extend very far vertically. My only concern with the design is that the feet of the tripod are almost horizontal. While it feels stable enough, I'm not sure how well it would hold up if someone walking were to accidentally step on it. The legs are low enough that I could easily see someone accidentally stepping on it while trying to get back to their seat for rehearsal.


Design - 3/5


Stability - This stand has decent stability. When the stand is at its lowest level, the center of gravity appears to be very close to the floor, and therefore is completely stable. However, when the stand is fully extended, there is significantly less stability. Again, I must bring up that I'm not sure how this stand would hold up to an accidental step.


Stability (low) - 4/5
Stability (extended) - 2/5


Mobility - This stand on par with others here in my opinion. The stand collapses down to a very manageable size. I can easily carry this stand in the same hand that I carry my trombone case in as my hand easily fits around both the stand and the case handle. Definitely a stand you can bring with you to any performance or rehearsal.


Mobility rating - 3.5/5


Pros:


Price


Basic, proven design


Spring helps prevent damage when placing the instrument on the stand


Cons:


Unsure about the durability of the legs


Not too stable when extended.


Price: $23.99 from musicstandsalone.com 


Overall - This is a great trombone stand for the price! As long as you are not careless with where you leave it or how tall you make it, I'm sure it will last a long time. I'm also sure that as long as you are cautious, you will not damage your trombone using this stand. Overall, this is a very good trombone stand for the money and I would be fairly comfortable using it often for my trombones.


Overall rating - 3/5


Pictures (note, I use a sock on any in-bell trombone stand so as to further protect the bell)
Upper Mechanism of stand:



42BO on stand

ASL-601 on stand

Stand at full height (NOT RECOMMENDED!)

Steinway and Sons iPod Metronome - Review

Recently, a friend told me about a free iPod metronome app after I was complaining that the one I had been using was not reliable. It frequently skipped and when I tested it with a stopwatch and other metronomes, the time was just plain wrong. The app he recommended I use is a free metronome app from Steinway and Sons (yes, the famous piano maker). Once I downloaded this app and opened it, I could tell that this metronome was not your typical iPod metronome.

Aesthetics - The first thing that struck me about this app was how classy it looked. Now, I know its only a screen but still they put a lot into making this look like a very classy app. If you go to the settings button in the lower right hand corner you can pick the type of wood finish you want! I personally prefer the Macassar Ebony since I've always been partial to dark woods.

Aesthetics rating - 5/5

Accuracy - Lets face it, this is the most important feature of a metronome. If your metronome can't give the correct tempo its of no use to you whatsoever. I have tested this with a stop watch (at tempos of 60, 120, and 180 bpm) and have found it to be accurate for the three minutes I timed it for. I have also tested against other metronomes (online and my Boss TU-80 tuner/metronome) and have found it to be just as accurate.

Accuracy - 5/5

Ease of Use - This metronome has two functions: Manual tempo and Tap tempo. The manual tempo is just like a typical metronome. It has a dial in the center which tells you your current tempo, a start button, a mute button, and a scrolling screen at the top with visual cues. Turning the iPod on its side changes the screen to the full screen scrolling visual cue. The second function is tap tempo. This allows you to click the middle button along with a piece in order to determine the tempo. This feature is very helpful for figuring out what tempo to set the metronome to. It eliminates a lot of trial and error for tempo settings. My only complaint is that the dial is sometimes hard to get to the exact tempo that you want and there is no keypad to type in the tempo.

Ease of Use rating - 4/5

Overall - This has been what I have been searching for! Now I can have a reliable metronome with me wherever I go. It's just as accurate as a typical metronome yet is on my iPod. Both the manual and tap tempos work extremely well and the classy look of this app makes this metronome a joy to use!

Overall - 5/5

Manual tempo screen

Tap Tempo Screen

Scrolling Full Screen

Wood Finish Options

Euphonium, Mouthpieces, and Auditions!

These past few days have been very exciting and very stressful. On thursday, I received my two small shank mouthpieces for my alto trombone. They are a Bach Mt. Vernon 12C and a Bach "Corp." 15C. So far I think I'm liking the 12C more, but I'll do a review and comparison in a week or two once I'm used to them.

On friday, my long awaited Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium arrived. I only got to play it for about an hour before I needed to switch over to trombone to solidify my audition material. So far though, its a great horn and I love playing it.

Today (Saturday) I have had two auditions. One for All-District band and one for Regional Orchestra. I'm pleased with my All-District audition. I did very well by my standards. However, after a long day of solo playing and trying to stay warm (without completely blowing my chops), my chops did not feel so great during the audition. I cracked a few notes and such. Sightreading was insanely unrealistic for trombone. All wind instruments used the same excerpt and lets just say, I think it was written for flute.

More to come on all three events!

YouTube Videos - 2

Here is one of my favorite brass groups to listen to. Their name is Mnozil Brass and they are a brass septet from Austria. Because I know you'll be wondering, they play on Schagerl instruments. I highly encourage you to look up more videos of them! Oh, and for brass musicians, they're not bad singers either ;)

Øystein Baadsvik is one of the best tuba soloists today. One of his most well known pieces is titled "Fnugg Blue" This is the video of him performing the world premier of it. Baadsvik is accompanied by the Stavanger Brass Band. The technique which he uses extensively is called multiphonics and produced through singing and playing at the same time. He is performing on an F tuba.

Canadian Brass has become a staple in classical music and music theater. Here they show their unique sense of humor and stunning musical abilities through their "Tribute to the Ballet"
The original

And the 2nd

Monette Prana TT-4L - Review

About three weeks ago, I decided (after much thinking) to buy a Monette Prana TT-4L mouthpiece. There is a lot of controversy surrounding these mouthpieces. However, I was coming from a Megatone mouthpiece, so I wanted the extra mass that a Monette standard weight offers. Also, I already played with the postures which the Acclimation Guide suggests.

Shipping/First Impressions - When I received the mouthpiece, the packing job was incredible. The mouthpiece was housed inside a rather large box (for a mouthpiece anyways) with packing peanuts on the inside, and the mouthpiece itself was tightly wrapped in bubble wrap. I was very impressed by the security of the shipping apparatus. The shipping time was also very impressive. Upon taking out the mouthpiece, It is a very different looking mouthpiece. compared to most mouthpieces it is short and wide. Also, because of the extra large throat, it is actually possible for me to drop a pencil though the mouthpiece!

Shipping - 5/5

Design/Size - The mass of this mouthpiece is incredible. I couldn't believe the mass of it the first time I picked it up. I was looking for a mouthpiece that was a bit larger than the 5G I had been using. Switching to the TT-4L is about the equivalent of switching to a Bach 4G. This mouthpiece suits me very well. As noted above, the design is very different than a standard mouthpiece. I find that intonation does slightly improve with this mouthpiece over a standard one. However, 4th line F on my 42BO is still consistently about 10-15 cents sharp. One other thing I have to note on here is the gold plating. I've never played on a gold plated mouthpiece before, but I have found that it gives a surface with which I can improve my lip flexibility and make smoother embouchure adjustments.

Design - 4.5/5

Slotting - Wow! This mouthpiece makes many partials much wider for performers, and therefore allows for better slotting. The pesky 7th partial is much easier using my Monette than any other mouthpiece I've used. However, this is a double edged sword because, should you hit the wrong partial, it takes more work to get back to the right partial.

Slotting - 5/5

Tone - Tone quality on Monettes is an interesting topic. As the performer, the feedback you get seems a bit airy and not as focused. However, set up a mic 20-30 feet away and record yourself and you'll find that the Monette has much more presence and is not airy at all. The sound is actually better at a distance than it is in the performer's ear.

Tone - as performer: 3/5 for listener: 5/5

Pros:

• Tone quality as listener
• Easier slotting
• Dynamics
• Very open feel
• Innovative design

Cons:

• Cost
• Feedback as performer
• Harder to quickly adjust partials if you hit the wrong note

Overview - Monette mouthpieces have a very distinctive and innovative design. They improve tone quality, dynamic range, and intonation for those who have a strong buzz. They cost a lot but think of it this way, reed players spend a ton of money on replacing reeds whereas our mouthpieces last for many, many years if properly taken care of. 

Overall - 4.5/5 (cost is major factor for most)

A note about Monette - Their customer service is simply amazing! I contacted them at probably the busiest time of the year (Christmas) and received speedy, informative, helpful replies. They went above and beyond answering my questions and all responses were written by musicians who truly knew what they were talking about. Great job, Monette!

Here is the Monette TT-4L next to a Bach 5G Megatone and a Bach 6 1/2 AL.

New reviews to come!

Today, I purchaced two new mouthpieces to try out on my alto trombone. One is a 12C Bach Mt. Vernon and the other is a 15C Bach "Corp." I'm looking forward to receiving them and getting to try them out!

Also, be on the look out for reviews of two "in-bell" trombone stands, they should be published in a week or two! I probably wont post again til Sunday or Monday. I've got a concert tomorrow, all-district auditions Saturday, and a church Solo on Sunday.

Trombone Care Tips - 1

The slide is the most critical part of the trombone. Any damage on the slide, even a small dent has a high likelyhood of hindering movement, and will need to be repaired by a tech. However, even without dents, your slide can become sluggish because of a lack of cleaning. Christian Griego from Edwards Instruments shows you how to properly clean and lubricate a slide in this video.

Two Cool Trombone Videos!

Here is an interesting instrument being produced in the UK. It is called a pBone and is essentially a small bore, plastic trombone. I've heard reports that the bore is .509" and the bell is 8.5" but I cannot confirm this at the moment. From the sounds of the video, it sounds like a regular, brass, student/intermediate small bore horn!

Bass trombonists - this is for you! Check out this Columbus State Trombone Octet playing Africa! Must have been quite a fun piece to perform as the bass trombonist!

The CSU trombone choir also has some great recordings on YouTube including Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"