I’m currently playing on a Monette MFIII mouthpiece, which is nice for lead, but I’m on the lookout for something a bit bigger/deeper for section stuff & jazz work which doesn’t ‘cut’ quite as much as the monette. Had a look on the Kanstul Comparator & the Shilke 13B Seems like a good rim match for the MFIII – same width & alpha angle, but with a tighter throat & deeper cup. Need to try & find one for a good price now!

So – Brass Impact rehearsal last night was a bit funny. For the first half of the rehearsal – I felt like I was really, struggling – even simple stuff was hard – no sound, no volume, no colour. Stopped for a break & I went into the back room to reset the chops. Second half of the rehearsal – I switched back to my Bobby Shew Lead mpiece. Nicer sound. Then all of a sudden I realised – “shit Ewan – you’re not breathing!!” Couple of large complete breaths later – & it’s all there – power, volume, sound, sweetness. Bit of a shame that I’d really pushed it too far in the first half on my chops to really be of benefit for the second. Don’t know if it was psychological, but I felt that switching back to my Shew Lead really helped as well.

I think the upshot is that that I NEED to stop using the silentbrass mute to practice. It just too stifling & I’m not getting a good workout in terms of my apparatus – breathing etc., I guess it was a lesson hard-learned. Don’t always assume that issues such as sound, tone, colour & volume are chop-related. On the hunt for a place to practise that’s close to home now.

Ordered a Harrelson Bravura in November. Just had an update to say it should deliver sometime in the next 3 months as they’re just installed a new vertical milling machine, hence the delay. I can’t wait!

Had a great hang with Ryan Quigley last night at his studio. Played some duets, drank coffee ( – you sure about those extra shots Ryan?) & talked trumpet. Has my arse handed to me on a plate when we did some jazz stuff tho! Great feedback from him tho & lots of stuff to do. Much work ahead I fear…
Ryan’s site

Well – Derek Watkins is going to be in Elgin this summer for the trumpet festival. I just love his sound & his playing. He has incredible chops, but exercises great taste and restraint in his playing. Here he is with James Last playing Mac Park.

Just updated the downloads page with some new stuff. George Eskdales Exercises.