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MusicianMatt

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Posts posted by MusicianMatt

    Should I Play the Herald/Fanfare Trumpet?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I've read through a couple of your other posts.  You are 14 and have just started the French Horn.  I think you should focus on one instrument at a time.  If you like the French Horn, stick with it for at least a year then consider adding another instrument.  If you don't like the FH, then by all means, try another instrument, but I would do it as a replacement, not in addition to what you are already doing.  Also, for trumpets, get and learn a basic B-flat trumpet.  Save the herald trumpets for when you are ready to go pro.

    (This coming from someone who played trumpet, French Horn, and some trombone through high school and had a music scholarship for trumpet in college).

    Thanks Kristen, I'll certainly consider that!

    Want children to play an instrument but...

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Hi!

    1. Private lessons don't need to be mandatory. How old are they? Because I know that brginning in 5th grade there is a school band and they have lessons there.

    2. Hm, well youtube I guess haha. Or maybe a friend of yours does and s/he can help your kids.

     

    How to pick an instrument is as simple as arranging a time with your local (music) store, like Music and Arts, and letting your kids run about trying all the instruments and getting their feed back. Try not to convince them to play this, or not play that, because they will only be successful on what instrument they like and want to play.

     

    All instruments are difficult to some degree. Some that should not be self taught are French horn, oboe, or bassoon. The reason being these 3 instruments are the most difficult instruments to learn. Any questions why, just ask me.

     

    Hope I helped, and if yoinjave any other other questions, feel free to ask!!

     

    Good luck!

     

    Matt

    Should I Play the Herald/Fanfare Trumpet?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Mrs_JWM is correct--this forum certainly welcomes those with educational questions, Matt, and I did not mean to say you were not welcome.

    My apologies.

     

    We have had several posters who were disingenuous and boy, are they a pain.

     

    Your question is fine, and your motives seem fine, too. 

     

    Good luck with your music.

     

    Thank you Chris, I was not aware that those types of people came to this website. I apologize for snapping at you.

     

    have a nice day!!!! :)

    Matt

    Should I Play the Herald/Fanfare Trumpet?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I think Matt asked a good question in a reasonable place. His other responses to music-related topic have been excellent, and he could be a valuable resource for parents or kids who want advice from a peer who's familiar with music.

    Matt, I applaud you for posting in a HS forum about something you really seem to know about. You certainly never came off as "mean." :) You also commented reasonably to another poster and gave good advice.

    Sometimes, the forum has issues with spammers and trolls, and I think that maybe that's what the other poster was trying to figure out. :) I think, though, that a herald trumpet is a type of trumpet, and not a brand, right?

    Thank you Mrs_JWM, I was not aware spammers would come onto this website. And yes, a fanfare/herald trumpet is a type of trumpet, not a brand.

    Piccolo and Flute advice wanted

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Thanks for the warning.  I have never thought about that but hubby has been playing the piano more and blowing his clarinet less.  Maybe hubby needs a set of ear plugs for his clarinet practice too.

    He has the patience to read piano music scores and play with both hands.  He also has the patience to tune and bow his own 1/4 size violin.  He can now play/blow a tune on the harmonica.   I had one year of flute lessons as an adult, if he gives up, I'll just take over.  I have read the book but nothing beats letting my kids lose at a music store that caters to the orchestra  :)

     

    Good luck on your music scholarship planning and search.

     

    Hubby plays the clarinet and is way too familiar with reeds :lol:

    Ah okay, then he is DEFINITELY ready for the flute.  Maybe just some advice, before he gets the flute bring him to a music store and ask for him to try out any instruments.  They should let him, since he would be the buyer.  Let him try out them all so he doesn't buy the flute and then go "Man, I wish I bought the (clarinet, french horn, sax etc).  I remember getting my instrument... I was like a little kid in a candy shop :)

    Should I Play the Herald/Fanfare Trumpet?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Um, not to be rude or anything, but...are you a homeschooler, or a homeschooling teen?

     

    You've asked about two specific brass instruments in your posts, and posted nothing else remotely education related.

     

    Are you looking for quotes for a brand review website? :huh:

    Well actually, I am not home schooled.  I go to a public school.  My posts actually do have education ties, since playing an instrument can raise IQ by 7 points, or help with math.  Instruments also help to get college or high school scholarships, so I am wondering which ones might give me a step up.   Music helps to increase motivation and keep the mind busy, since I am a smart student and I am ahead of most people.  Music keeps my mind sharp because music exercises both right and left sides of the brain.  if you were not going to answer my question, why did you take time to comment on it with nothing relevant?  I did not take offense to your question, but one day someone might so maybe you should before commenting think of all of the possibilities...

     

    Sorry if I came off like a mean person, but I want to make sure you don't make someone who is angry and mean mad at you.

     

    I apologize again, 

     

    Matt

    Wind instruments for an 8 year old

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Hey I'm in middle school, 8th grade, in band, and I am multi-instrumental.  I am going to explain some of the different instruments and if your son can learn them!  :)

    Alto Sax: Good beginner sax instrument, if his hands are too small, definitely wait because when your left hand wraps around the top keys you will hit other noise altering keys.  Second smallest of the 4 common saxes

     

    Soprano Sax: Highest sax, also the smallest sax.  However,playing one is incredibly difficult and the embouchure can actually be painful.  The embouchure is very tight and the reed can dig into the lip and get all "pinchy".  Also, the soprano is probably not taught in your school band since it is not a common or easy instrument to play.

     

    Tenor Sax: Bigger than alto, second lowest sax.  Usually taught after alto sax because of lower pitch and harder to play.  Need bigger hands

     

    Baritone sax: Biggest and lowest sax.  Need big hands, carrying the case takes two people and weighs like 50 pounds.

     

    Flute: Takes a lot of air to play, only about 70%of blown air goes into the flute.  Beginners may feel dizzy playing the flute.  Good instrument you can move up to piccolo, or it helps learn how to breathe and stuff like that

     

    Piccolo: small flute, MUCH harder than flute, less people play it though.

     

    Bb Clarinet: Need somewhat large hands to play you can move on to bass clarinet which is bigger and less people play

     

    Trumpet: Sound made by buzzing into a mouthpiece.  Buzzing is like giving a raspberry to your mouth piece.  Only 3 valves but you can change pitch by lip tension

     

    Trombone:  Need to buzz into mouth piece and move slide to make notes.

     

    Baritone:  Mini tuba kind of, and you also must buzz to make noise, as with all brass instruments.

     

    Tuba: Lowest instrument in band, buzz into mouthpiece to make noise.  Also adjust lip tension as with all brass instrument.

     

    Now, those were all good beginner instruments, but the ones I am going to name next are the hardest instruments, but they are VERY rewarding.

     

    Oboe:  The oboe is a woodwind instrument, the 3rd highest woodwind to play, only to piccolo and flute.  Since it is a double reed instrument, (reed is two small reeds tied and stapled together), it is incredibly difficult to play since having to push a lot of air into the instrument.  Not very many people play the Oboe, so scholarships are always a possibility.  SECOND hardest woodwind to play, THIRD hardest wind instrument to play.  Pitched in key of C. WARNING: People have been known to pass out playing oboe because playing it requires so much air the CO2 can build up in the player's lungs and make them pass out.

     

    English Horn:  A big oboe.  Even less people play English horn than oboe.  Pitched in key of F.  Should begin on oboe and then switch to English horn.  Sounds lower than oboe, and the higher tones sound nicer and warmer than the oboe.  Oboe and English horn are not for everyone.  WARNING: English horn comes with quite a price tag. 

     

    Bassoon:  A double reed instrument.  4 feet tall, with like, 5 thumb keys.  Need BIG hands to play bassoon.  Unlike the oboe, the bassoon is a very low instrument, in fact, the lowest woodwind, aside from contrabassoon.  Dark, rich woody tones.  Not many people play bassoon.  Hardest woodwind instrument to play.

     

    Contrabassoon:  Lower than bassoon, plays in bass clef like bassoon.

     

    French Horn:  French horn is the third highest brass instrument.  Played by inserting right hand into the bell.  Buzz into the mouthpiece, which unlike most brass mouthpieces, is cone shaped, not a rounded.  THE HARDEST instrument to play.  Hard because of the overtone series, which is with the same fingering you can play the same notes.  the empty position is capable of playing C, E, G, and High D.  I would buy a double horn (ask music store employee what the difference between a single horn and double horn.)  Not many people play because it is the HARDEST instrument to play.  Good for scholarships as well as oboe, English Horn, bassoon, contrabssoon and tuba.

     

    Hope I helped with telling you about some band instruments!!!

     

    Matt

     

    What does anyone think of Holton French horns?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I never played a Holton, but the reviews for your model that I just looked up indicate it is a good intermediate instrument, with a bright tone.

     

    I can't tell you how much your post set me yearning for my time, many ( ! ) years ago playing horn. I have a beautiful silver Conn 8D that was love of my life then.

     

    Best wishes with your music!

    Ah thank you! My horn has a bright tone, that's good, what I want. I like the nobleness of a bright instrument. Whay you do you prefer? Bright or dark tones?

    What does anyone think of Holton French horns?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Hi, I currently play a Holton H378 horn. I am borrowing it from the school because I have just began playing. The horn I play is without a doubt, well worn. Scratches all over the metal, dent (doesn't affect sound at all!). The horn is over 25 years old, and I love it! It is really easy to jump from note to note on it.

     

    Does any one else own the same model horn, or a Holton in general and what is your opinion of a Holton horn? Also, I like the "feeling of it" (warm vs cold, light vs dark etc sounding) how does Holton H378 sound compared to other horns, for I have only played this one horn thus far.

     

    Thanks!

    Matt

    Piccolo and Flute advice wanted

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Wait until he gets a little older, like 9 or 10.  Some 8 year olds can't focus long enough to read music and stick with it.  There is a book called "the right instrument for your child by atarah ben-tovim" read this and see if flute or piccolo is the right instrument for your child.

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