Instrument Auditioning Question

[Marigaux]

So, in my current training to audition for a corps this november, I have come to a crossroads.

I have heard that it is often easier to get a spot as a baritone than a trumpet.

I currently have been working on trumpet (I am a woodwind player in my every day life... :P ) but would it be worthwhile at this point to switch to baritone?

[jakef]

I'm a saxophonist that switched to mellophone to march drum corps. I would say that if you work your butt off and have a sincere desire to be at the auditions and don't act like a total bando (No offense to bandos, of course! ), it won't matter which one you audition on. Work hard, and practice at getting good on the one you like more.

But seriously though. Play mellophone. Mellophone is teh roxorz. Whatever that means.

[thezboe]

Depends on who you go out for, I'd say. I'd say, generally, yes it is harder, just for the sheer fact that trumpets hold the majority of the melody. That's not to say they always do. As for switching, I'd say stick with what you've been working on. It'll benefit you more in the long run, and I think you'd have a better chance at making it.

[qwerty543]

Depends on who you go out for, I'd say. I'd say, generally, yes it is harder, just for the sheer fact that trumpets hold the majority of the melody. That's not to say they always do. As for switching, I'd say stick with what you've been working on. It'll benefit you more in the long run, and I think you'd have a better chance at making it.

It really depends on your embouchure and what works best with it. Most people seem to fit in fine with Baritones as it complements larger mouths better. IMO, try out the two and compare how it feels to you and what's more comfortable. Trumpet and Mellos basically use the same size mouthpiece... maybe mello a bit larger... but the bari/euph mouthpiece is dramatically larger.

[rmurrey74]

So, in my current training to audition for a corps this november, I have come to a crossroads.

I have heard that it is often easier to get a spot as a baritone than a trumpet.

I currently have been working on trumpet (I am a woodwind player in my every day life... :P ) but would it be worthwhile at this point to switch to baritone?

I'm not sure what's easiest, but on average, more people try out for trumpet then they do for baritone/euph/tuba.

You'll have a better chance making a corps going to a low brass instrument.

[bersurkman]

Seems like more corps are looking for trumpets right now. Perhaps you should stick there. Lots of holes. You could march this year if you wanted to.

[DCImonkey]

I think the OP's original statement is false.

If you want to audition on something, audition on Tuba. A good tuba player is harder to find than gold in the Gobi Desert

[Marigaux]

Well, I'm thinking tuba is out of the question considering I don't have access to one.

I can easily get a hold of a bari though.

I play oboe, so I dont think the small embochure of the trumpet is the issue. Its just that I haven't been playing trumpet for 6 years like the people who played it all through high school, which is why I'm worried that I won't ever quite make it into that echelon.

[jakef]

I played mellophone for about 3-4 months before I joined up with a Division I corps. Just work hard, you'll be fine.

[Piper]

From what I've seen over the years, most woodwind players who convert to brass for Drum Corps purposes usually opt for mello or bari. Some might have gone sop but I don't know of any. Whatever you do, dont let anyone convince you that you can't make the switch, because there are LOADS of players that have. To me the most complicated part is deciding on which corps, what their retention rate might be, how many age-outs they had in which section, how many kids they normally draw at their audion camps, instructional staff, etc. etc. Keep working hard and good luck to you.