aubie

It never hurts to be physically in shape either...

There was such an emphasis on the athleticism of the activity, but then they showed only 3 minutes of clips. Certainly, there were folks out there wondering exactly what was so athletic about the activity...

I *think* it was 95 Troopers and the victim was Pioneer's Tour Director...

In addition to the excellent and highly articulate explanations provided by SSgt Warner, the Marine Band Public Affairs Office (PAO) has put together a set of faqs on their website. http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/who_we_are/faq/index.htm Whether you choose to refer to the bandsmen as Marines or not is your own personal agenda, but like every other Marine, the bandsmen have spent countless hours training to accomplish their mission. I just wanted to give good information to anyone out there who hasn't already made up their minds. :) SSgt Jennifer Mills United States Marine Band Member, Southwind 95-01 Brass Tech, Southwind 02 Brass Tech, Glassmen 03-04

This is not true... <**> As for the D&B, I'm sure the new horns will sound great in the "new" building, once renovations are finished. :)

You also have to ask yourself how much has Frank been on the road...

I never said they couldn't be heard...HOWEVER, I did imply the "french" horn timbre isn't as sought after by today's brass arrangers and caption heads. That's my "story" and I'm sticking to it.

Try adding one note at a time at the new tempo. For example, if you have four sets of sixteenths, play to the point where it breaks down. Then, add the next sixteenth at the new tempo. Once you get that down, add the next, then the next, etc. Over time, you train your hand/brain to get it together. Sidenote: The importance of playing with a proper hand position cannot be overstated. In addition to allowing the fingers to move more fluidly (and in time), it also saves wear on the valves.

1. Intonation--The frenchies are harder to play in tune than an F mello 2. Timbre--Many arrangers write for the sound quality and projection you can get out of the mellophone, rather than the sound that is produced by a Horn section 3. Mouthpiece--It is easier to march with a mellophone mouthpiece than a horn mouthpiece. Notice I didn't say it is impossible to march with a horn mouthpiece, however, higher drill/visual demands of modern day drum corps turn people away from the logistics of marching with a horn mouthpiece. Just a few things that corps take into consideration...there are more, but that's a good start. JM

The Wayne Downey MD1 is a decent mello mouthpiece (and hasn't been mentioned yet). It is made by DEG and it tends to play a little more bright than the old Mello 6's did, but it's not an offensive sound in the right hands (or on the right lips, I guess). The Mello 6 was a great mouthpiece, but it isn't manufactured anymore. You might be able to find one on Ebay if you are lucky, but good luck finding enough to outfit an entire section. Several manufacturers claim to have copied the Mello 6, but I haven't found one that was exactly like it. Good luck finding the mouthpiece that works best for you. JM

Smith's Top Tones is a good book. The Colin book is rough, but whatever works for Schipper, more power to him!! Oh...and one more thing...follow the three strikes and you're out rule. If you try three times and miss, go to something else and come back to it. No sense in physical injury.

Woo hoo for Twinkle.... and by the way...Tarn-X smells like perm solution (hair)

Wow...the X4 is a HUGE horn!!

You will be fine with the Dynasty. If nothing else, playing a horn with a few quirks will keep you on your toes and force you to use your ears in new ways.

Nothing smaller than a 3C...3C, 1 1/2 C, 1 1/4 C, 1C, 1...something like that