Watch out Trumpets, the Cornets are making a comeback!
October 12, 2008
Cornets! What the heck is a cornet? Sounds like some kind of flying saucer!
Just kidding. But until I came across Dennis Gonzales’ video a few weeks ago, I hadn’t thought about cornets since High School, some thirty plus years ago! I also forgot about the pretty sound you can produce on them. Well, it started me to thinking I needed to add a cornet to my arsenal. In the process I came across a real gem that I wanted to share with you all.
There’s this guy named Nick DeCarlis, who started to play as a kid, quit, and later, while in college, taught himself how to play. Well, since that time, he’s become a collector/restorer, gifted cornet player and avid promoter of jazz music. There is some really neat stuff on his web page ‘vintagecornets’, including an article and photos of cornets with two bells. I have placed some of the links to Nick’s sites below. Check these sites out and find out what the ‘Cornet Conspiracy’ is all about. Also, if you haven’t listened to the Dennis Gonzales video, please do!
TD
http://www.pocketcornets.com/index.html
http://www.decadesign.com/scptest/classicjazzbrochure.pdf
Conn Vintage One
August 12, 2008
Since the Conn Vintage One (aka Wicked Connie) is the trumpet I have chosen to play, I figured it would be a good place to start my equipment writings. This horn is sweet, combining the best of classic CG Conn trumpets with a modern design. It has a 459” bore size (11.66mm), hand lapped monel pistons, a patented Modular Valve Weight (MVW) system kit, a 1-1/2 CKB mouthpiece, a deluxe double case and carries a Five year warranty.
The Vintage Ones all come with an annealed one-piece hand hammered bell and can be purchased with a variety of bell materials and horn finishes. The bells come in yellow brass, rose brass bell or sterling silver.
Vintage One Brochure (requires Adobe Reader for viewing)
A purchaser had this to say about the Vintage One, “I own several trumpets as do most pro players and I found myself gravitating to the Vintage One over all the others (which include a vintage Benge, Martin, Yamaha, and Schilke). These are all great horns but the Conn Vintage One combines the intonation and slotting of a Schilke with the rich warm sound of a Martin. It plays clear and colorful in all registers and really sings. I love the fast short throw valves.”
The Vintage One is available to you through my online Trumpet Superstore. Buy one today, you’ll be glad you did!
New Trumpet Store & More, Here For You Now!
August 7, 2008
Trumpet Dude is pleased to announce the grand opening of its Trumpet Superstore. You may enter this store at anytime of the day or night, seven days a week. How cool is that? This store carries all the top brands of the highest quality and the best deals anywhere. [Read more]
Wicked Connie
July 29, 2008
As Doc Severinsen has correctly pointed out, practice and how we practice is essential to how well we play. However, a quality instrument can make a world of difference in the finished playing produced. Some of the earliest types of trumpets dating to around 1500 BC, although quite inventive and interesting, were likely very difficult to play well. In comparison to the historic trumpets our predecessors played, the old ad proclaiming ‘you’ve come a long way baby’, should ring out. In fact, some of the horns on the market today are downright pieces of art and beauty!
[Read more]
