Author Archives: Jan

KR INDIGO MAX PLUNGER FOR TRUMPET

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KR INDIGO MAX PLUNGER FOR TRUMPET

#hirschmannmutes, #hirschmann

The “KR Indigo” MAX Plunger Mute is the culmination of a decades-long quest for the best sounding, By far, most in tune, easiest to play, most comfortable to hold, most expressive trumpet plunger that money can buy. “KR” represents the initials of Kenny Rampton, world-renowned trumpet player and long-standing member of the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. Kenny co-designed this plunger with Hirschman Mutes, incorporating feedback from some of today’s top trumpet players.

IN TUNE!

From low to high, the most in-tune plunger ever. It also provides consistent pitch when switching between open and closed (tight) plunger, something essential for ensemble passages. Better intonation means less “lipping” of notes, reducing fatigue and increasing endurance.

Kenny Penny™ venting system

Some players like to drill a hole through their plungers (where the wooden stick was) and some don’t. Others carry two plungers in their bag to have both. The Kenny Penny venting system provides one penny outside the plunger and another inside. Turning the outer penny closes the plunger hole with the inner penny. Kenny Rampton likes it closed for playing over straight mute and open for plunger alone. There’s no right or wrong, and the Kenny Penny lets you discover your ideal sound…that’s our “two cents.”

No slip hand grip Our large, comfortable hand grip makes the plunger easy to pick up and hold. No more slips or drops!

The KR Indigo is made of durable silicon and is much less prone to the drying out/cracking that occurs with many rubber hardware store plungers.

Fits over standard straight mute An in tune plunger deserves to be played over an in tune straight mute. Use your favorite regular sized straight mute and say goodbye forever to stuffy, out of tune pixie mutes.

Tone hole With the Kenny Penny in the open position, you can create interesting effects by covering/uncovering the tone hole with a finger.

Distinctive color

Inspired by Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo and Snooky Young’s/Clark Terry’s blue plungers, with a design updated for the 21st century

Latest Stuff from Trumpet1 .com

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It’s been a while since the reality of playing ‘Live’ is on the cards. During lockdown more and more students have been taking lessons via Zoom and now coming to the studio which is fantastic. Since Christmas I have taken delivery of the S43HDL-F Faddis Model which was designed for legendary jazz artist, musician, conductor, composer and educator Jon Faddis,  It is built on the HD valve section, which is heavier in mass at the centre of the trumpet. No nibs on the second slide, no water key on the main tuning slide, heavy valve caps, and adjustable sound-post.

The S43HDL-F* is available by special order with an optional bell crown that provides more core to the sound with increased resonance, mine is this model with the following features One-piece, Hand-Hammered Yellow Brass HD Tuning Bell

Soldered Bead w/ Steel Wire

#3 Bell Taper

.450″ Medium Bore

Reverse Leadpipe

Round Main Tuning Slide w/ Brace

Heavy Design

1st slide ring & 3rd slide ring

Heavy Bottom Caps

Adjustable Bell Brace

Yellow Brass Bell Crown

Anyone who knows me will confirm my affection with Schilke trumpets and I’ve had more than a few over the 50 years gone by… My S42L Faddis I’ve loved over the last twenty years and this now moves to professional ‘spare’.

Highly unusual for me during the last few months I’ve also taken delivery of the Stomvi Master Titanium Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet as it really is a direct copy of the P5.4 from Schilke and with the two bells it really is a stunning instrument to play having it’s debut performance on Easter Sunday in Church here in Hambledon in the South Downs National Park.

Thoughts on Lockdown

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“Our Salvation is always going to be in some type of creativity, some type of music… it’s very important that we find a way to make it. Be as creative as you possibly can in your everyday life; whether it’s music or not. Make sure you have stuff you want to do on your own… Don’t depend on something that you don’t have right now, like 16 other musicians and a rehearsal space, for your creativity to thrive.”

Constant Set Slurs Intermediate

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CONSTANT SET SLURS INTERMEDIATE EXTENDEDDownload

1. BREATHE THROUGH THE NOSE

2. START WITH ‘HIGH SET’

3. DON’T MOVE CHOPS – KEEP PLAYING TENSION THROUGHOUT

DIMARTINO/ADAPTED SCOTT BELCK

Dr. Scott Belck currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he directs the CCM Jazz Orchestra and teaches applied Jazz Trumpet.

Lead Trumpet Study No.1

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Lead Trumpet Study 1Download

This is a Calisthenic Study that I use regularly, it should be treated in the same fashion as a Carmine Caruso Exercise, stay calm and relaxed and keep the air moving gently throughout. When you get to the point where you can proceed no further, take a break for 10 minutes and then resume at the point you left off. I am very much an exponent of the Bill Adam Method and use his advisory words to remind myself how important it is to keep a full beautiful sound always in all practice periods… go be awesome.