BossHogg

Here's a couple of quick suggestions: Use more air to support the pitch and do lots of lip slurs....don't play louder as you ascend, just use more air. As far embouchure...just keep your corners firm (so there is absolutely no air leakage) and make sure the cup of the mouthpiece is centered on your mouth/lips.

...I really was born 10 years too late..... :(

ABSOLUTELY '91 might be the cleanest hornline I've ever heard, but '90 had it all. I will never forget how they shook the stadium at finals in '90.....OH MY what an ending! Jim Prime and Donnie Van Doren...two Brass geniuses.

The guy with the beard from '86. Simply the best EVER IMO. The Total Package. But - this is kind of like choosing the Playmate of the Year....they're all very good in their own way.

<snip> My preference is still Kanstul though. I feel that of the choices out there the Kanstul is the easiest to center pitch on and the easiest horn to play at extreme volume levels, both soft and loud. The horn can swallow you up if you don't put enough air through it though, and I would not really reccomend it to a player who is just beginning. Shawn C ^0^ The Kanstul Grande (their 5/4 sized horn) is BY FAR, the best marching bass horn I've played on. It "speaks" extremely well in every pitch & volume range. It also resonates like no other....simply put - it is just the best bass horn for the outdoor idiom. If you are a player who is just beginning, I would recommend getting your hands on the Kanstul 4/4 sized horn. IMHO, the DEG & Yamaha 4/4 horns are not even in the same league as Kanstul 4/4. It is very easy to control and as Shawn wisely pointed out - it doesn't take the volumes of thick air that the Kanstul Grande demands, making it a great horn for a beginner.

Any horn line taught by Jack Meehan. And '90 Star. I will never forget their perfomance at Finals.

I use Twinkle. Not only is it the best bang for the buck, but I've gotten the best results (by FAR) using it.

You should be able to find a good Mouthpiece Brush at your local music shop. However, if you would prefer to do it online go here: Dillon Music Under "Accessories", click on "Cleaning" and you'll find a mouthpiece brush (for all Brass), as well as just about everything else you could possibly need to keep you horn in top shape.

I would love to see the specs on those horns. Anyone have them ? Now I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing the Cadets(as if Rocky Point wasn't reason enough :P ). Anyone know if Crossmen & Cavies are using them this season as well?? Great news.

What about '92 ? Some may think I'm nuts, but I've always thought that was one of the best Cavies hornlines. That Opener *still* gives me chills.

I do believe that was Ray Vasquez on sop. His rookie year out there. He is now the Jazz Studies chair of the ITG and Caption Head at Blue Stars. Great guy, he also teaches at U of MN - Duluth. The guy who played the Nessun Dorma solo in '91 was a Mellophone player (who if I'm not mistaken is now the Brass Arranger for Phantom)....it was not a Soprano solo. Definitely one of the best Mellophone solos ever....very FAT sound. I always felt bad for him though, cause you can see his plume come off during the Finals video. I think you may be confusing what came later in the show during Pagliacci. Also didn't that same Soprano player (Ray Vasquez ?) win Soprano Individuals that year ?

'86 Blue Devils..."The guy with the beard". To me, he is the benchmark of all Soprano soloists. I wish I wasn't in 4th grade in '86...I would loved to have seen that show live. 2 years later though, that was one of the first shows I heard that answered the "What's Drum Corps" question...I've been hooked since.

My Fav Openers: '91 BD - Adventures In Time '91 SCV - Miss Saigon '95 Madison - El Torro Caliente '88 BD - Happy Days are Here Again '90 Star - Belshazzar's Feast '83 Cadets - Rocky Point Holiday