[Dixielandjazz] Freezing trumpets

[Mike Durham]

Better watch out before they start experimenting with freezing the trumpet 
players! On a serious note, horn players do get very wierd about their 
instruments (I should know, I am one of them), arguing fiercely about raw 
brass vs lacquer (as if a few microns could make an appreciable difference), 
copper bells vs sterling silver, reverse leadpipes and water key (spit valve 
to the vulgar) design, when common sense tells that 90% of what comes out 
the bell is due to the organic entity on the end of the mouthpiece (given a 
good standard of instrument). IMHOP, the best thing is to find a horn and 
mouthpiece you are happy with, then PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE if you want 
to improve tone and technique, rather than pursuing the elusive goal of the 
perfect instrument.

Yours from the woodshed,

Mike D.

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