Martybucs

Whoa!...and I was complaining about a recent root canal! Glad to hear you're still with us and your writing is crystal clear. The slow computer and waiting for the letters to show up is a perfect analogy - our Mac is always like that, (but of course, Macs never have problems). No place like home, eh? Hope you have some kind of support helping you out, too. Hope you're back on your feet sooner than you think!

I was wondering what finishes anyone else in particular, might prefer on their horn(s). I've tried lots of finishes through many years of playing and have some preferences of my own. I think I like silver plating the most, even if it's German silver (nickel). I find it to be mostly durable, more so than lacquer. I like the tonal properties it gives the horn. I tried a real expensive trumpet for a couple of weeks that was raw brass and thought it was awful to hold after a week of playing it. The brass had this gritty, yet greasy feel. I had to polish it so as not to gross me out. I don't remember having that same feeling with one of my first bugles, a CONN piston/slide that had no lacquer on it anymore. Guess because we had to keep them shined for inspections. I have only played gold plating when trying out a horn and I thought was nice, but not worth the price, (other than the increased value of the metal itself). I do like gold plated mouthpieces and would like to get my current favorite gold plated, but silver is OK, too. Don't like raw brass. I had an original Parduba double cup that I tried to play on for many years, (didn't work for me). Within 2 months all the silver plating had worn off the darn thing. My bugle is chrome plated, no, not like a bumper, but like a proper G bugle should be. I take it out of the case every couple of weeks/months, whenever we have a job and it's always shiny and ready to go! Sounds great too, but that may be because I'm so good . chime in if you feel like it.

I just checked my DEG 3 valve sop, I bought new in 1988 and I even talked to Donald E. Getzen. He called me after my purchase to thank me for purchasing the horn and to tell me they don't usually sell individual horns. (I think he was telling me, not to do it again, but he was very cordial about it.) Anyhow, after the receiver, the lead pipe has a definite taper enlarging in size to the tuning slide. Then to tell the truth, the tubing looks the same diameter up to the valve cluster and coming out of the valve cluster, but then enlarges more after the final bow and then logically enlarges into the bell taper. As for sounding better, I don't know, there is a difference and I sure like the sound of a G hornline, but I like the sound of Bb too, I think it's a little darker and just as pleasing a loud volumes as it is at lower volumes, (depending on the abilities of the players, of course). I don't think the Bb lines have the, "in your face", properties that a good G line has, but to me, Bb lines are plenty loud enough, especially with 60-70 horns including like a dozen contras. If the OP gets the chance to check out some G lines in person and at the same show hear some Bb lines, I think they could tell the difference right away. Again, mostly in the upper voices and I'm of the school that says G horn lines seem louder to me. Fortunately, it's not all about loudness...really, it isn't.

Better yet, JOIN the Marines and you'll get one for free!

I have heard of trumpet bells being described as fast or slow taper to the bell flare. If I'm correct, a fast taper starts opening up right after the final bow and a slow tapers stays somewhat narrower and opens more gradually towards the bell flare.

The parade we were in had a competitive section, but sadly, no one in the corps thought to decorate a bicycle

Here's a link to Reading Buccaneers used equipment store. I agree with everyone else; I wouldn't buy one and if possible, buy American. Reading Buccaneers Equipment Store.

I knew that, I was just teasing. I've been told that very solution before myself over the years. Really, think of a very appetizing meal or food you really like. It does work. Try it now and you'll see that in a short few moments - no more dry mouth.

Does blood work?

Think about your favorite food or what you ate for dinner last night. Usually gets the salivary glands going.

Articles? There were articles?

...and some corps used piston/slide bugles in Bb.

I don't think there really is much difference in manufacturing costs. The process is the same, regardless of the key. I think it is more of a convenience thing. Easier to get kids to play instruments they are already familiar with and I bet that saves a lot of time. Resale value is definitely a consideration, as has been said already. Which is better? For most American drum and bugle corps, the G bugle is definitely the defining instrument, but not a better instrument. The difference in sound is more noticeable in the soprano vs. trumpet comparison, IMO. Then it just comes down to preference, there really isn't much difference in playing characteristics. Good players have no problem with either. Lesser players always have an excuse about one or the other. My favorite G bugle? The OLDS Ultratone piston/rotor. Just fun to play. Especially in chrome, (I only said that because I know Ray Fallon hates chrome plating - ) But really, if you were to play a G horn, I think you'd just say, "What's all the hype about?", because it's just a horn in a different key.

Yeah, I tried a Chiropractor for my sore back and shoulder a few years ago and I think he made it worse. (I know people swear by chiropractic and if it works for you, I'm happy for you). Consulted a PT and did some exercises and the results were fairly quick and painless. I still do the exercises. Recently, I had a very painful bone spur show up on my right heel. Went to the doctor, who ordered x-rays and then sent me to a specialist. The specialist wanted to schedule some surgery. Same PT, as above, suggested some calcium supplements. I did supplements and believe it or not, the next day it was almost gone and has pretty much improved to the point where it is almost completely gone and I haven't had pain in weeks. Moral of all this: Getting old sucks!

Ah, Nick Filet.

I had several eyelid surgeries when I was a little kid, probably around 1957, at Wills Eye Hospital and Miseracordia. BPES.

I think you have to be doing a lot more corps than us old fogeys. Probably is just an age thing, buddy. Not a doctor, but eveyone I know that has had any kind of orthopedic surgery has regretted it. Not counting joint replacement, (not talking pot here). Hopefully, it's not too bad for you and he/she recommends a good PT. I think focused strength training works wonders. I had problems with my knee and everyone from my personal doc, family members, the orthopedic surgeon my doc recommended said "surgery was the answer". I asked my wife, a nurse at CHoP, who the docs there would see and they all said Dr. Craig. I went to see Dr. Craig and he said surgery should be a last resort and that my knee could be rehabilitated with exercise. He was right and it's fine today. I didn't know it at the time but Dr. Craig was the team orthopedic surgeon for the Flyers. Sadly, he has since passed away. Just saying the surgeon you see might have a boat payment due and to be skeptical.

So, how was everyone's parade? We had a good turnout. The corps sounded great! One of the advantages of being in the first row of sopranos is getting to hear the rest of the hornline. I usually march next to a guy named Joe Jasinski and he hasn't been able to march, I miss him. It seemed so quiet without all his #####ing and moaning about everything. I'm kidding, he's a great guy. Also Bruce Englehart. He was there but he isn't cleared to play his horn yet. Wyomissing was all decked out for the fourth and the crowds loved us. They had a lot of bands in the parades. Hope you had a wonderful parade today.

I believe a "bando" is someone that advocates turning drum corps into marching bands. Kind of a moot point, now.

Speaking as a performer, (retired from the field), performing a show is hard work, much harder than a rehearsal. You give it everything you've got. Everything. And now you're talking twice a day? Hardly seems fair to the performers. I don't do field shows anymore, but if it was me, asked to give two, all out performances daily, on a regular basis, I'd want a piece of the action. Perhaps a good idea to raise money for the corps, but again, a bit unfair to the performers.

In both shots, it doesn't look like the monsignor is happy about giving out checks.

You DID beat me, but hey, it was originally your idea. I think Bucs Alumni has a parade in Wyomissing, but we don't get detailed newsletters anymore, so I'm not sure. Hope I find out soon. I think that is the parade the world infamous Jon and Kate attended in one episode.

A video with a Canadian, playing a British spy.........how patriotic is that?

Well known buglers and hot dogs.................

I never inhaled.