Just looking around, there doesnt seem to be much more than guitarists here
Wondering if we have any budding brass players around, for general discussion etc. etc.

Couple of things id like opinions on:
1. Being 14, ive recently been told im having braces fitted. I managed to get them postponed til after Grade 7 exam in a few weeks time. To be honest, i think im screwed - wont be able play for shit with them on, and by the time theyre off ill be into A Levels and will have little time. I dont think ill be able to do my Grade 8 now, so thats the end of that really
My question is, however, how is playing with braces on? I understand it affects stamina and range mainly, but how much?

2. Lacquer. I play a Model 37 Bach Stradivarius, and its getting fairly old - most of the lacquer has worn to a dull finish right down the leadpipe and all the way down one side of the bell, as well as other spots elsewhere. Is it worth re-finishing? Or does it affect the tone and feel of the instrument whilst costing loads?

3.Pieces!! For my grade 7 in around 3 weeks i have 3 main pieces, but cannot for the life of me find a decent recording. The pieces are: 'Funk' by Allen Vizzuti, 'Prelude 18' by Shostakovitch, and 'Buster Strikes Back' from Morrison. Wondering if anyone has a decent quality recording i can use as a reference?

Answers, kit-posting or general discussion appreciated

As a side-note, any of you Trombonists out there heard of Simon Hogg?

edit:
I also play the drums, so opinions on a White Ludwig Element 6pc (100th Anniversary = free extra tom!) for an amateur drummer looking to grade 8 next year? Also stick choices for you people, but dont spam up this thread with drums as theres plenty of threads for that

This post was edited by Titch on Jun 5 2010 05:06am

Bump'd?

I played the Trombone in middle school and early high school. Pretty easy instrument to learn.

sorry I can't answer any of your questions.

This post was edited by wh0racLe on Jun 12 2010 12:40pm

Hey Titch.
Can't answer any of your questions but the first, which is exactly what happened to me. Couldn't play with the braces, so I had to stop and I haven't had the time to play it again seriously ever since. Kinda sad
Btw, can you upload the sheet music to one of these pieces you play, so I can see how hard it is ?

This post was edited by SeaKitten on Jun 12 2010 05:15pm

Ahh unlucky mate :/ My teacher said he's known people with braces who are still really good, like can reach top C's etc. even with the limited range+stamina problems but idk if that means i would have to practice tons with it
What were the main problems that you actually felt with it?

Sure Just gimme a while to find it

hey titch
im a brass player as well, specializing on coronet and flugelhorn
braces will fuck you up seriously
your stamina will be affected greatly, as well as your pitch, you wont be able to get up to those higher notes
best thing you can do is practice as much as you can with your braces on and hope for the best
there still are many great brass players with braces, but it took them a while to get used to having braces
best of luck with the braces, and keep playing

ah this is what i feared :/
Thanks for your help though mate
Ill stick at it