TromboneChat

I use different basses for different purposes as I have multiples of the same brand that each play differently. My M&W Holton 185 bass is my go to for most gigs but especially orchestral jobs as the sound blends in better with most others that I work with. I have several other Holton basses that I'll use for commercial purposes or gigs where I have to hold up an instrument for long stretches. As for tenors I have a 6H and an 88H that are mostly used for shows. Both of these instruments work well for me and I don't do enough other work on tenor for multiple choices.

harrisonreed wrote: Sun Jun 07, 2026 11:15 am Mellophones just need the right mouthpiece and someone whose played longer than a day on one. Not too many good mouthpieces have been made for that instrument.

I know that struggle more than most! My current solution is my two favorite mello pieces cut for Reeves rims. They are much more balanced than they are with the stock rims. But one day I'd like to get totally custom pieces made for all my mellophones.

I guess this is the first time for me to respond with what I used to do (just retired the other night). I generally got by with 3 horns - all Edwards. My .547 (T396AR), my alto (.500 bore, all yellow brass, very lightweight bell), and a.508 bore (heavy yellow bell, nickel slide). Daily driver was the .547, which makes sense in an orchestral position. the .508 was for the more commercial Pops concerts - I found that this particular horn was stable enough to feel comfortable coming from a larger instrument, and it also worked well when there was something that was more classical on a show that was mostly more commercial in nature. The alto, of course for Mozart, Beethoven, but also Schumann and Mendelssohn. That horn (and the .508) was picked out at an ITF, and it has really served me well. Just the right amount of brilliance, and compactness without becoming shrill.

The others sometimes downsized a bit when I played alto - not too much - usually just lighter sounding instruments. Sometimes an old Conn 8H built with an 8 inch bell (must have been a custom order in the 5o's), a Conn 70H or Yamaha 321(?) the red bell single valve. For those Pops, a 6H and a 62H. Sometimes, though, I used the alto or small tenor and the others played their usual horns, and honestly, with good players that make it a point to blend, it works quite well.

A few major orchestras have German or Austrian horns with the idea of using them on Germanic literature when the trumpets are playing rotary valve horns. I've noticed that they don't always use them, and I think it's just that you can often do better to just adjust your approach rather than having to adapt to different instruments with a very different response and tuning tendencies. It is a nice idea - there's a good recording of the NYP guys playing their Theins along with Ben Van Dyjk on a Bruckner motet. I think that the biggest difference comes from playing dynamics and articulations that suit the music you're playing.

Jium Scott

Congratulations Jium on your retirement!!!

New chapter in life, new name

harrisonreed wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:23 pm New chapter in life, new name

Actually, that's just a phonetic spelling of my name with a southern accent.

I am the last person do give anyone grief over a typo or an autocorrect slip. I'm officially one of those guys yelling at kids to get off my lawn!

Jim Scott

CalgaryTbone wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:54 pm

harrisonreed wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:23 pm New chapter in life, new name

Actually, that's just a phonetic spelling of my name with a southern accent.

I am the last person do give anyone grief over a typo or an autocorrect slip. I'm officially one of those guys yelling at kids to get off my lawn!

Jim Scott

I blame Siri.

CalgaryTbone wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:54 pm

harrisonreed wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:23 pm New chapter in life, new name

Actually, that's just a phonetic spelling of my name with a southern accent.

I am the last person do give anyone grief over a typo or an autocorrect slip. I'm officially one of those guys yelling at kids to get off my lawn!

Jim Scott

Congrats on the retirement Jim! I was just touching my toe on your lawn just to see if the grass was any different. Honest! And my baseball flew over your fence ... ignore that other kid climbing over it.

CalgaryTbone wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:54 pm

harrisonreed wrote: Mon Jun 08, 2026 3:23 pm New chapter in life, new name

Actually, that's just a phonetic spelling of my name with a southern accent.

I am the last person do give anyone grief over a typo or an autocorrect slip. I'm officially one of those guys yelling at kids to get off my lawn!

Jim Scott

To be clear I was not making fun of your typo. Being from the South I read that just as you described with my barely noticeable southern accent.