Tag: Gear

Trumpet Case Review: Ft Series by Fultone Brass

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Getting the right balance of protection and portability in a trumpet case or gig bag is always a challenge. And add to that being able to actually fit in everything that you need and then carry it without breaking your back... Gig bigs or soft cases have long been a popular alternative to hard cases to cut down on weight, but there is often a huge compromise to be made in it's level of protection for your valuable instruments. I was keen to see a new range on the market from Fultone Brass - the Ft Series.

Trumpet Artist Profile: John Thirkell

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Johnny Thirkell is one of the most recorded trumpet players still working today. Through the 80s and 90s, as well as being a member of Level 42, Swing Out Sister and Jamiroquai, he has also worked with George Michael, Bruno Mars, Phil Collins, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Eric Clapton, Buddy Rich, The Who and Tina Turner. He has performed on over 6000 recordings including 23 No.1 records – most recently the Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson smash, “Uptown Funk”. The list goes on and on!!

Trumpet Artist Profile: Eric Miyashiro

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With a trumpet in his hands, Eric Miyashiro is a force of nature. The powerful sound, blistering range and flamboyant lyrical playing suggest a very different personality to the one that I met! Eric is one of the gentlest, nicest people that I have come across so I was thrilled when he agreed to spend some time doing this interview for Mouthpiece Online…

Frate Precision: Interview and Mouthpiece Review

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Established in 2006, Frate Precision is the brainchild of trumpet graduate and expert metal-worker Dario Frate. From the facility in Lombardy, Italy they offer a broad range of mouthpieces that are growing in recognition and popularity around the world.Dario has kindly shared some of his thoughts and experiences with me below, followed by a review … Continue reading Frate Precision: Interview and Mouthpiece Review

A.R. Resonance: Interview and Mouthpiece Review

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A.R. Resonance is a maker of custom trumpets and mouthpieces from Italy. Antonio (Tony) Rapacciuolo creates instantly recognizable works of art, and is gaining a great reputation amongst trumpeters ‘in-the-know’, including Marquis Hill and Scott Tinkler. I only became aware of A.R. Resonance in the past 12 months from colleagues who had sought Tony's advice, … Continue reading A.R. Resonance: Interview and Mouthpiece Review

pBuzz: Brass Playing for Younger Children

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Encouraging younger students to play brass instruments in a crowded marketplace full of competition for children’s attention is a tough task. Warwick Music (the team behind pBone and pTrumpet) has set about opening up “buzzing” to the masses in the hope that the pBuzz can be the gateway instrument to get children interested in brass. Recorders have been a mainstay of primary schools across the world for many years, and ukuleles have also been very popular as an affordable way for hard-up schools to introduce musical instruments in the classroom at an early age. So, why not brass?!...