Mini Lesson: Flugelhorn Transition Practice (and other horns!)

Mini Lesson: Flugelhorn Transition Practice (and other horns!)
In this mini lesson we explore ways to transition to and from accessory instruments in a way that does not negatively impact your trumpet playing. Many players struggle with being thrown "off the rails" by letting unfamiliar horns control their playing, rather than letting their playing control the horn, and in this mini lesson we touch on some techniques I use to bring good habits to all of the instruments.
Full HD videos on:
KZbin: Trombahonker
Facebook: Trombahonker’s Practice Studio
Twitter: @Trombahonker
Instagram: @Trombahonker
#TrombahonkerPracticeStudio
#TrombahonkerMiniLessons
#trumpet #trumpets #trumpetplayer #trumpetlife #trumpetlove #trumpetist #trumpeter #trompette #tromba #trompeta #brass #brassplayer #storkcustom #yamahatrumpet #yamahabrass #bachbrass #orchestra #orchestralife #brassbible #brassinstruments #trumpetandhorn #trumpetlessons #trumpetpractice #instatrumpet #trumpetsofinstagram #practicemakesbetter

[@LuigiGiannattasio78]

I'm a trumpet player and i've just bought a Bb cornet and a flugelhorn. I'm experimenting exactly these issues. Your video is exactly what i need now! Thank you a lot!

[@kickstand801]

the brightness from the trumpet, the warmth of the flugelhorn. 2 different worlds, but both must be respected equally. great vid. excellent tone!!

[@trombahonker]

Absolutely, two very different sounds. I’ve found it’s important though to not let the sound of the instrument affect the production and technique though. That was a real problem for me when I was younger.

[@kickstand801]

@@trombahonker understood

[@paulmaglio9254]

I just bought a flugelhorn and was wondering how to transition between the two. This is exactly what I needed, thanks.

[@01_santy_18]

I didn’t really realize how much different both instruments sound. Nice vid!

[@lschexnaider]

My new Andy Taylor/Carol Brass Phat Puppy "pocket" flugelhorn should arrive later this week, so this video will server me well.

[@yahbarrahyisrael1921]

Man, you sound awesomely great!

[@fleurafricaine5740]

Very good vid. Thank you. You make a strong point that the instrument you play shouldn’t dictate the technique you use to play it.

[@SwingWestBand]

Excellent, thank you.

[@samscott54]

killer tone

[@samscott54]

wow nice job very pleasant

[@selpingos]

great video

[@doiturself4459]

You have a great sound man!

[@Trollet532]

For me in the upper register i need to play the instruments differently to reach (with the sound). If i play the high register on trumpet the way i do on flugel, itt's a squeak, not a brilliant sizzle tone

[@hanbuwalda8126]

Your approach is an original one. The player can be the constant factor. Mmmm. I Will give it Some attention. Your fast switching keeps North instrument warm. Same mouthpuece @trombahonker? For me the sound impacts directory my stearing the instrument, both lips and air support. I need at least 6 counts when switching before a ‘solo’ fragment. Back to the trumpet is not what needed attention last week. Maybe my love is switching from the trumpet to the flugel. …..

[@paulgrimm]

Just started Flugalhorn.I have a Bach 3c mouthpiece that bites my lip.

[@TryingToForget]

Great informative and useful video!! just out of curiosity is the exercise at 2:00 a know/specific exercise? Or did you just improvise? Many thanks!

[@QueenLuvrxoxo]

Came here because I'm a French horn player learning the flugelhorn now. The mouthpieces and breath and everything are so different. Any advice between those 2 instruments?

[@trombahonker]

You know, not really, I’ve only tinkered on french horn. Probably I would try to find a mouthpiece that has a similar rim as you use on french horn for your flugelhorn playing. That probably means a much thinner rim, and it might mean something custom. In general, trumpet and flugelhorn rims are going to be much thicker, and I don’t really know of any extremely narrow rims. If you have a Yamaha flugelhorn, I would suggest trying a Yamaha 15f4 or 14f4 as at least those rims are relatively round, and should be right near the range of what you might use on horn.

[@katyhartmann3998]

You can get adapters to fit your french horn mouthpiece into your flugehorn!

[@eskimophoto]

What microphone are you using? Or how are you getting that sound into the video. Sounds good. I'd like to know what equipment you're using and how it's being used. The voice, and spoken word, for instance, sound quite good, and so does the trumpet sound. How are you making them both sound normal?

[@trombahonker]

Hi, thanks for the question. I use two microphones, both going into an analog sound mixing board. That analog signal goes directly into my DSLR camera, and it’s all combined with the video onboard the camera. I do no audio or video editing other than cutting the start and stop times. The trumpet microphone is a Bash Audio RM-BIV 1 ribbon with their J Decor inline preamp. The voice microphone is a small diaphragm cardioid condeser made by Line Audio, CM3 model. The trumpet mic is about 1 foot distance directly in front of the bell, the voice mice about 1foot distance just off axis of my mouth. This allows good isolation and clarity between the two.

[@dennyr2300]

Hi, what do you think about the 4 valve Flugelhorn? advantages and disadvantages? any issues for first time learners? We received one as a gift but not too sure if it's more difficult or a lot more different that the regular 3 valve Flugelhorn. Any advice will be appreciated.

[@fleurafricaine5740]

A personal response which may or may not apply to you: My 3-valve flugel plays adequately in the upper register, but not great. To compensate, a 4-valve flugel extends the lower reg which is nice to have. Meanwhile I continue to master the upper register to get the best of both worlds. The only caution is the 4-valve flugel is noticeably heavier. If you play long gigs into the night you’re definitely going to feel this added burden.

[@golf4funjn532]

Great video! I don't have trouble going between the two except I can't seem to hit notes above the staff on the flugel. Any suggestions?

[@trombahonker]

A couple thoughts - is your flugelhorn mouthpiece rim similar in size to your main trumpet mouthpiece? If it's dramatically larger or smaller in diameter, that can make a big difference! Assuming it's not equipment, flugelhorn requires a lot of "lift" above the staff - you have to provide the support that the mouthpiece doesn't, and trumpeters are often use to the resistance their trumpet's mouthpiece offers by being much shallower, and usually smaller in bore. This all means you need to embrace playing compactly in the upper register on the flugelhorn, and figure out how to maintain that while letting the horn and deep mouthpiece take care of the sound you're after. Interesting idea for a video actually! Best of luck!

[@golf4funjn532]

@@trombahonker Thanks for your advice!

[@da11king]

I just purchased my first flugelhorn. I came across your video because I wanted to learn. great video! My question is can you push the gas on the flugelhorn, or you should always play on the softer side?

[@trombahonker]

You can play quite loudly on a flugelhorn, but the feedback behind the bell will be very different than on a trumpet. You have to allow the horn to maintain the sound without trying to drive it to be brilliant in the same way as a trumpet.

[@winnmarr6840]

a question. would it be a plastic flugelhorn ok to start with? and how different is the technic between fl. and trumpet, besides the sound?

[@trombahonker]

Hi there, if a plastic flugelhorn is all you have and can afford, then go for it. Better than nothing at all! But, if you could save a little more and get a quality brand name instrument from Yamaha, Getzen, Jupiter, or even Carol Brass, that would really be better. Also the Austin Custom Brass “doublers” flugelhorn is quite good for a very reasonable price. We’re going technique, being a trumpet player, I do my best to play the flugelhorn with the same general set up. However, The instrument does sound different and articulation especially will tend to come across softer and with less clarity. It all depends on how you want to sound. If you want to play a flugelhorn as a jazz improviser, listen to and mimic great jazz flugelhorn players! If you are a classical player who wants or needs to play flugelhorn, find some great classical players playing flugelhorn. You can find some great examples of flugelhorns being played on many American Brass Quintet albums, for instance.

[@naphothy]

Is Flugelhorn fingering for B same as trumpet? Bcs I it's so sharp when I play B. Not only B as well, even some other notes r sharp or flat as well

[@trombahonker]

Yes, all fingerings on the B-flat flugelhorn should be the same as on a B-flat trumpet. However, in the upper range, some alternative fingerings can be useful. For instance, high B can be fingered 1-2 if second valve alone is flat. High C can be fingered 1 if Open is flat. Huh D can be fingered open if first valve alone is flat.

[@da11king]

​@@trombahonkerplaying a high B(above the staff)😮 with 1-2 fingering? Wow never heard of it.

[@bertkremer1064]

So, if I understand, on both instrument's You are using the same mouthpiece-rim size?

[@trombahonker]

That’s right

[@kevincabeza8116]

what size stork do you play on? I 'm on a 2B+25D

[@trombahonker]

I use the 2 rims as well! That’s a 2fl Yamaha shank in the flugel. 2b+23d on C, 2b+ stock on Bb

[@charlrichardengelbrecht5269]

Did this help anyone?

[@trombahonker]

I have no idea. I know that making the video was helpful to me in terms of explaining concepts that I have experienced others finding useful.

[@paulgrimm]

What’s the Flugelhorn mouthpiece are you using ?

[@trombahonker]

Paul, I use Stork 2 rims, and that is a Stork 2FL-Y (for Yamaha shank). Stork 2 rims are about the same as a Bach 1.5.

[@paulgrimm]

@@trombahonker Thank you. I just ordered a Bobby Shew Yamaha .

[@trombahonker]

@@paulgrimm That’s a great mouthpiece, on the smaller diameter side, and not super deep. Very supportive of all around playing. Do note though that that shank is only meant for Yamaha flugelhor’s, so it won’t work great on a Bach/American flugel shank horn, nor coursnon/French shank.

[@paulgrimm]

@@trombahonker I have a SOLISTA

[@paulgrimm]

@@trombahonker I have a SOLISTA by G Rawlin. Not too sure what the shank is