BeachDrums

This tour, the Crossmen have an extra member traveling with them. He's a sweet bichon and rides the brass bus. During a recent stay in Big Spring, Texas, Chachi became dehydrated and was taken to a vet by a very nice woman named Patti who works in the food truck. The vet said the little dog had a severe case of the ailment and wasn't certain he would pull through. Last night while traveling to Comfort, Texas, pillow cases and plastic containers were passed around on the buses to help raise money for medical expenses for the cute little canine. The next morning around 8am, a phone call with GREAT NEWS was received - the little ball of white fur was doing well and was "perky." Ron, Patti's husband, will be bringing Chachi to San Antonio to be reunited with the tour. If you see a little white dog in the show site parking lot, feel free to say "hi." I know there are many other stories of kindness and generosity that never get posted while on tour, but I thought I couldn't let this one slip by. Thank you once again Crossmen. This corps is already a winner!

The reason I asked is because of what I remember about 2001. Carolina Crown's guard seemed to do what looked to me (what do I know) like more advanced drill stuff than many others and kept the weapons moving. Other corps guards seemed to walk around a lot without nearly as much spinning, etc. I was just wondering what judges really look for. No, I'm in no way connected with Carolina Crown. Just an observation.

I was at my mother's watching television when the news broke. I was a big fan of his. I know a lot of people mock him because of how big he got, but few seem to know that he was only fat for about the last three years of his life. The Aloha From Hawaii concert was in 1973 and he looked great! I saw him in Las Vegas four times and shook his hand on stage. I even jumped Graceland's wall in '75. I certainly understand that some people hate his movies, but the man could REALLY SING with heart and soul. Two things that, in my opinion, are lacking in a lot of pop music today. He certainly had his faults like we all do, but what a FANTASTIC VOICE!!

Hi Guard. This is my first post here. I'm a percussion guy and basically know nothing about spinning anything except drum sticks. However, I have a question for you. I was just wondering what tends to get a better tape from the judges: a drill or routine (whatever you call it) that has a lot of difficulty and keeps the sabres, rifles, and flags moving, but may lack a bit in precision, or a drill that is very precise and in synch, but with less weapon movement and overall difficulty? You know, more walking, holding, and dancing and less spinning. What kind of show do the judges tend to reward more? Forgive my lack of appropriate guard vocabulary, but I hope you know what I'm trying to ask. Thanks.

Wow! Thanks for the information, Librarian Sara! That was kind of you; and you're even from NYC, I assume. There goes another stereotype.

Hi all. It's the guy that knows precious little about trumpets, again. Currently, there's an ad in the local paper about a York 75 trumpet. Do you know anything about them? Also, and this should confirm my ignorance, how does one know if a horn is Bb, G, Eb or whatever? Is there a marking somewhere on the instrument itself? And finally, are there some trumpet manufacturers/models that are basically, well, . . . any that even a beginner would be disappointed with. You know, way below the quality mark? I know many of you will say "It's not the instrument, it's the person playing it." But, if you had the choice between a B1 or a Bundy? . . . well. . . I think you understand my question. Okay, after you stop laughing, I'd appreciate responses. Thank you.

Daniel, Thank you for taking so much time to respond and help me out. It will be difficult, but I will: *rest more between exercises and pretend I'm not cheating myself of practice time *play pp during some portion of my practice time (this will be hard for me because I'll always be thinking I'm not strengthening anything playing so softly, but at least I get more practice time in. But, if it helps "muscle memory," that's at least a benefit I can remind myself of. *Overall, I'll remember to remember dynamics during practice time *I'll work on other aspects of playing, such as fingering and reading music rhythm. *and, I'll try to include a lighter day once in a while.

Thanks for the reply, Stacy. As I've posted and as you can tell by my questions, I'm am quite green about learning to play the trumpet. I thought higher notes required a much smaller lip opening - the kind of opening one has when playing softly. I know it takes less air but much faster air for higher notes. How important are the muscles used to close the lips? If they are important, how does one exercise them?

Wow! Thank you for the post! As you stated, I am very enthusiastic about playing/learning the trumpet and I come from a history of drum playing. I DO think the more practice the better. I feel like I'm not working if I don't practice hard and perhaps, too long at this point in my learning. I ususally start out with about 15 minutes of long, low even tones. Then, I have been doing something I've never heard of anyone doing (though I'm sure others have) and that is clamping my lips down as hard as I can while blowing hard and trying to play a consistant, even, high tone as long as my air lasts. I do this about 10 times. My thinking is that it build chops and help me keep my lips together for the higher notes, when a smaller aperture is needed (and yes, faster air). Maybe this is totally a bad thing to do. I then play scales and pieces for a total of at least 1 1/2 hours a day. I didn't think this was too long to practice. However, I admit that I rarely take more than a minute rest between any thing I play. I feel like I'm cheating myself of practice time if I do. Anyway, lately, my lips feel kind of "puffy." They don't hurt and there are no sores or anything. But sometimes I actually play higher notes than I want to on pieces. In other words, my lips seem like maybe they're too firm. Does this information help? Okay, now you can scold me.

Hi all. The trumpet and I have just recently met (about five months ago), so please forgive my ignorance. Could you please tell me what are the signs of reduced flexibility? Perhaps more importantly, what causes it and how can one get it back. Thanks!

Hello Schilke Fans, I have heard nothing but good things about Schilke Trumpets. That's probably the reason there doesn't seem to be a lot of used ones with "For Sale" signs. Yes, I know, the company's production rate has something to do with it, too. My question is this: If Schilke Trumpets didn't exist, what would you play? In other words, what trumpet do you think is closest to its tone, quality, etc.? I hope to own one someday, but even ebay doesn't seem to have very many of them. The one(s) they do have get bid on heavy and out of my "league." So, I'm asking you for what you consider to be the next best thing. Thank you.

I play a Bach. . . 3C mouth piece that is. Saving my pennies for my first "mouth piece holder." I'll be saving awhile. I would like a Schilke B1 or X3. In the meantime, I'm establishing quite a repertoire of mouth piece music :P

I'm looking for a used Schilke Bb trumpet in good condition at a reasonable (non-ebay) price. Thank you.

Thanks for all the information to everyone who replied. As I stated, I'm new to trumpet (about two months) and I don't really know what I'm doing. Eventually, I hope to get lessons. For now, I'm just renting instructional videos, learning out of a book, and asking questions to you all. Thanks again.

Thanks for the insights, idontwan2know. As I mentioned, I'm new to the trumpet and my thinking was that I basically had to be "blowing" all the time or I would be practicing hard enough. Except for taking a breath and resetting my embouchure, I was playing the whole hour and a half. I'll now practice just an hour and take a couple minutes rest every so often if a couple of minutes is long enough between an exercise or piece. Or, as you suggested, maybe breaking down my practice time into two periods might be helpful, too. I guess I'm just in such a hurry to learn and inprove my range. They say patience is a virtue.

I have noticed a small, red patch on my lip. It is also slighly sensitive if I practice long. I assume I've damaged a few blood vessels or something. I realize it's safe to say that no one is a doctor here, but how long do you "stay off your lips" or reduce your practice time each day if you suspect lip damage? I've just started playing and have been trying to practice 1 1/2 hours a day. Maybe that's too much for me right now. I was just wondering if I could still practice with a slighly sensitive/damaged lip as long as I cut down on time and take it easier.

Hi All, I have an opportunity to purchase either a Bach Strad 180/37 or as Yamaha Xeno 8335. I would appreciate some opinions on either trumpet. Use would be primarily indoors (not drum corps). I would especially be interested in Cadet responses as I know they use Xenos. Thank you in advance.

I believe Cavies are selling Xenos for $995.00.

Hi Sopranos. I was just wondering what you all played on in 2004. This is my very first post on the the "Brass Section" of the forum, so if this is a tired old question, I'll understand if you pass. I know the Cavies played Yamaha 8345S. Is that a good horn, Cavie Sops? I would imagine it just depends on what kind of playing a horn is going to be used for and ones's own personal taste, but I would be interested in hearing opinions. I've heard that Flip Oakes Wild Thing is the horn to buy if you have a few thousand to drop.

Thanks Orpheus, I'll do that.

Evidently, this is a very "touchy" issue with horn players. I didn't realize. From now on, I'll stick with less controversial topics, like amps, singing, Hoppy, Finals in Orlando, DCI, and placement at finals.

Hi all. I was just wondering what the 2004 soprano players from all corps were playing on. This time of year, I thought many readers could benefit from replies and opinions. For example, the Cavies had Yamaha 8345S. Good instrument or not? Any manufacturer to avoid, or do all makers offer student through professional? I have heard that Flip Oakes Wild Thing is the horn to buy IF you have a spare $3000. I would imagine it just depends on what kind of playing it would be used for and one's own personal taste. No, I am not affiliated with any horn manufacturer whatsoever, just curious.

Does anyone know of any corps that is selling their horns? I'm looking for a sop.