'Tools of the Trade' by Dr. Arndt
As I have always been very interested in equipment, I have done my best to find out the horns that many professionals use in their daily work. Some of this may be due to working with my first teachers, Dr. Phil Clark and Chip Schutza of the Kansas City Symphony. Both of them were constantly working on their instruments, fine-tuning them. Dr. Clark actually had a Db trumpet of all things, and also a Tottle modified Bach. The Tottle had two tuning bells, a 229 and a 238, and the trumpet had a rotary valve that changed it from the key of C to D. It was an amazing instrument. The Db trumpet was made to play the Hummel in the key of Eb. He had originally learned the Hummel in the original key of E on D trumpet. This allowed him to play it without learning a new set of fingerings. Chip played a Holton prototype C trumpet based on the Holton MF Horn. You can see where I got my obsession. My choice of instruments has been effected by the places I have lived. In general, as a trumpeter with some orchestral inclinations, I have always followed the mantra, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” So, at this point, I am on my sixth C trumpet. My wife is a saint!!
Every serious trumpeter probably needs a couple instruments regardless of major. I hope every music major values outstanding musicianship and works to be extremely proficient on their instruments. It is likely, that at some point everyone may have the option of doing a little or a lot of free-lance work. If you are jazz inclined, the number of horns is more limited. In general, a good Bb and a Flugelhorn will cover most everything you need. For those that are classically inclined, you will ultimately need a pretty significant arsenal of horns including Bb, C, Eb/D, piccolo in Bb/A, flugelhorn, cornet, and maybe even E, F, and G. Really there is no end except for the limits of your budget . . . or significant other! And remember, it is important to be well trained in all styles so that you are highly marketable.
Every serious trumpeter probably needs a couple instruments regardless of major. I hope every music major values outstanding musicianship and works to be extremely proficient on their instruments. It is likely, that at some point everyone may have the option of doing a little or a lot of free-lance work. If you are jazz inclined, the number of horns is more limited. In general, a good Bb and a Flugelhorn will cover most everything you need. For those that are classically inclined, you will ultimately need a pretty significant arsenal of horns including Bb, C, Eb/D, piccolo in Bb/A, flugelhorn, cornet, and maybe even E, F, and G. Really there is no end except for the limits of your budget . . . or significant other! And remember, it is important to be well trained in all styles so that you are highly marketable.