!!!!!!! DISCLAIMER !!!!!!!

!!!!!!! DISCLAIMER !!!!!!!

• Project #1 - De-lacquering a Trumpet (or any other brass instrument).
  
• Project #2 - OPERATION: Trompet.
  
• Project #3 - Starting a Band.
  

1. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to strip the lacquer from one of my several trumpets. My reasoning behind this project was because the trumpet was visually in bad shape. There was oxidation showing through on several spots on the horn, and some one (before it had come into my possession) had began to SCRATCH the lacquer away with a sharp object of some sort. Also, It had always been a dream of mine to have a lacquer less trumpet, since I started playing in the 7th grade.
   
2. Materials:
   • A trumpet
   • Lacquer remover (or thinner)
   • Steel wool
   • Chemical resistant gloves
   • Well ventilated room (outdoors recommended)
   • respirator mask also recommended
   
   
3. Procedure:
   1. remove the trumpets valves and spit keys, and put them in a safe place, along with any cork, rubber, or any other such products. You only want to apply the remover to lacquered areas.
   2. Put on gloves (and respirator if available).
   3. You may like to remove the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd valve-slides, the tuning-slide, and any other removable slides, and place them in a separate container containing enough lacquer remover to cover them. This way, when you're ready, the lacquer, if not already off, will come off with hardly any effort. CAUTION: Do NOT leave these slides to soak for a long period of time. 20 minutes should be sufficient. Anything longer may ruin the slides, leaving them pitted or resulting in air-leaks.
      
   4. Apply a liberal amount of lacquer remover to a liberal sized piece of steel wool.
      
   5. Start in one area of the trumpet, and work the lacquer remove into the lacquered surface, until it becomes shiney. NOTE: it is not necessary to apply a lot of pressure. Just a little will be sufficient. Also, if your not sure that you have removed al of the lacquer from the area you are working on, and you want to move to another section, feel free. You can always go back later and get the spots that you missed.
      
   6. About every 45 minutes, I recommend rinsing the trumpet and drying it off again, to insure that there is not any lacquer remover accumulated in any given section. This also will show you the spots that yu have missed, or not completed.
      
   7. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 until all lacquer is removed.
      
   8. Finally, rinse the trumpet thoroughly in luke warm water, and dry it off. This will be the final check to be sure that all lacquer is removed. If you still find more lacquer to be removed, then repeat numbers 4, 5, an 6 until you are confident the job is done and repeat this step once more, in order to check again.
      
4. Conclusion: You now have a pretty lacquerless trumpet. (The pretty part NOT garenteed, it depends on YOU)
   

This is not the actual instrument. It is just a quick estimate that I threw together with a digital camera and a graphics prorgam. Coming soon is an actual picture of the REAL horn!

• Dark trombone sound in the trumpet range.
• Mellowness.
• Awesome appearance.
• Attention!

Ok, I think that the title of this project pretty much explains itself, but for those who like details, this is where I will keep you updated to my progresss in starting a band.

Let me explain my purpose. Ever since I started play the trumpet in th 7th grade (when I was a wee 12 years old), I had dreams of wanting to be a band leader, prefferably Jazz/Swing. I had always pondered the idea, and just the thought odf the possibilities gave me goose-bumps. I'm sure that you can agree, it's fun to dream. Well, more recently, I've decided that it dosn't have to be a dream, it can be a reality. Especially since the recent revival of Swing in the pop culture, my style of music is now more likely to make it. Also, I am now in college, where there are tons of differnt people with different tastes, opinions, and experiences.... plenty which would love to share in what I want. My purpose is to successfully throw together a 7 or 8 piece band. Please note, this is my way of throwing together a band... I have not researched this topic, and have no "real" clue where to start. This is inly me playing the scene by ear, and seeing what I come up with, so, please, bear with me here.

The first thing you need to get things rolling to make a dream into reality, is a little bit of inspiration and motivation. For example, my inspirations are the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Harry Conick Jr., Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and of course, all of the good ol' Big Band stuff that floating around out there. My motivations are the swing revival and discussions with friends that also want to start their own bands, and those that already have bands.

Second, you need to find people to be in your band. I'm doing this by just talking to fellow "bandos" (a group consisting of the 350 person marching band that I'm a member of), and seeing if 1) they're intereasted in the style of music, 2) if they are interested, and/or 3) if they know anyone that is interested. (Also, this is a cool way to meet new people. It gives you something to talk about besides the weather.) So far, I've been fairly satisfied with this method. I've met a bunch of people, and they're all totally for my plan.

Now for the next step. I have not yet began to delve into this aspect yet, because I don't have all the vital pieces for my band yet. But, I do believe the next step would be to have all of the band get together and jam, reherse, what ever you want to call it. From there, you will get to know everyone at the musical level, and be able to compose specifically for what they can, and like to do (This is what greats like Duke Ellington did for thier bands).

And finally, once you have a few tunes under your wings, your ready to flap your winds and and leave the nest... Go gigging that is!!! Go out there, get exposure, make money, maybe get noticed by someone important, but most important of all, have fun with one of the most valuable experiences you may ever have in your whole life.

And now, I will begin to tell you of my progress so far.

• Since God only knows when, I've had the desire to lead a band.
• I gained my inspiration and motivation from the swing revival, old time greats, and frineds who have the same dreams as myself, and friends that have already accomplised the feat of having a band.
• Since I started band camp (August 30, 1998), I've begun talking to people finding out if 1) They like swing, 2) They would be interested in being part of a swing band, and 3) if they know anyone else that might be interested.
• I've always had a trumpet player.... me.
• On august 11th, after already knowing that he would go for it, I asked a friend (trombone player) of mine if he would play in my swing band if the chance arose... he agreed!
• August 12th, I ask another frined if she would play guitar for me... She also agreed!
• August 16th, I was talking to friend on the way to the Dinning commons, and brought up the topic of swing. I mentioned how I wanted to start a band, and she said she'd love to be in something like that... let's just say, I need a clarinet player, and now, I've found one ready and willing. Also she asked (before I had a chance to bring up question number three myself) if I had a tenor sax player, and know I don't, but she knows someone who would go happilly come and play. Shockingly I responded, and mentioned that all I need now is a drummer and a bassist... and well... She knows a String Bass player (with his own upright bass)!!!!!

So that's the latest for now. My next step would be to get in touch with the tenor sax player and bassist, and talk to them personally. And finally, find a drummer, however, jam sessions are just as easily successful with out one, because percussion is a totally different art in its own, and they know what they're doing.

send e-mail to: nadthug@hotmail.com