I have a 1970 Mirafone 186 rotary valve BBb which I love. When I bought it, the fourth valve had been damaged and repaired by a previous owner. It works okay, but the stem is rotating a bit off center. I think it was soldered off center.... not sure. Not a big problem, but being a bit anal about mec...

As a former HS band director I can't stand hearing the same wrong notes or rhythms in the same places over and over again. So, what I've done on "very rare" occasions in our community band is this........ if the mistakes are constantly made in the same places, I simply raise my hand and as...

They're also going to be near Pittsburgh, PA in Feb. Already have my tickets. Can't wait. Been wanting to see them for years now.

Along that line... sort of....... a long time ago I went with a buddy of mine to an Ice Capade's show. He was hired to play in the band, along with the regulars that traveled with the show. He needed me for a ride as there was a ton of snow on the ground, and I had a Scout Traveler 4X4. (I carried a...

C'mon Bloke!! Fight it. Be a man! Make it work the other way!! Then you'll be famous!!!

As a former band director, I can relate to the intonation issues with flugelhorns. Obviously, some flugels are better than others, but in general, there were always intonation problems with the ones we had. That said, I was dealing with kids with no experience on them, and I didn't have a whole lot ...

Okay. Be totally honest here. After a protracted hiatus from playing, for whatever reason, how long does it normally take you to get back into shape so you can play up to "your personal acceptable" level of performance? I know this is a loaded and broad question, and not everyone is going ...

Just heard back from the Laskey rep. She says that as far as she knows, all mouthpieces are made at their Vancouver, Canada facility.

I've texted the Laskey rep for a definitive answer. I'll let you all know as soon as I hear back from her.

I have met and talked with the Laskey rep for the northeastern US on at least four separate occasions, and unless something has changed in the last few months, Laskey mouthpieces are made in Canada..... not China.
Just FYI.

After starting to read the joke, I realized that I did hear that one before....... a very long time ago. Thanks for the reminder. Regarding the trombone joke........ it's definitely not one for this public forum. In fact, I wouldn't even forward it as a PM. Very funny, but most likely extremely offe...

I've not heard that joke. What is it?

I've heard one about beginning trombone players, through!!!!

I just gave my great nephew his first baritone lesson today. He is "completely" new to music, and he learned his first three notes. While he doesn't appear to be a natural at it, he is very willing to try, and while he and his sister are staying with their grandmother for the weekend, (my ...

What year was the group that was performing? Did they give that info. My daughter was in it about five-six years ago. Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The next morning they took off for Europe for a few weeks. Tremendous group....... and it was all paid for through the Weill Institute. The...

It would depend on what music is being played, and if you might be part of a smaller ensemble playing for a portion of the concert. I personally, don't have that issue, but I can see where circumstances could arise that warrant doing so.

Oh Man!!!
Too many to list, and I can't remember half of them right now.

Ahhh...... don't know if you're kidding or not, but we're talking about Chautauqua, New York. And yes.... it's that hot and humid up there.

Until I just looked it up, I never knew there was a Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado.

Live and learn, I guess.

To the topic. As a student attending the summer music program at chautauqua, they are probably pretty stressed/ worn out as it is a short intense program. My daughter is used to the top tier summer festivals. She decided to take it easy this summer and chose Chautauqua. (It's also much closer to ho...

Regarding the Chautauqua Amphitheater..... Prior to last week, the last time I was in that amphitheater was around 1963 or 1964. My sister was employed for the summer as a beautician at Chautauqua. My family would drive up occasionally to visit her. We attended church services and concerts in the ol...

I can understand the junior high school obliviousness to what brand of instrument they're playing. But, most of the people I'm running into recently are music school students and grads........ young adults. The kid I spoke to the other day was a college kid..... tuba major. His own tuba. I was stunn...