Top Mute Choices from $13.99!
Oil and Grease On Sale!
Great Cases from $22.99!
Stands & More On Sale!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Valued Customer, the Save 10% Accessory Summer Sale Continues
Top Mute Choices from $13.99!
Oil and Grease On Sale!
Great Cases from $22.99!
Stands & More On Sale!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Giardinelli GTR 512 Pro Trumpet - Starting At $566.99
Musician's Friend Clearance Center
Pro quality for a student price!
In creating the Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet - the first Giardinelli trumpet - the goal was simple: to offer the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Working with a leading European manufacturer, Giardinelli has developed a trumpet that more than meets that goal: a professional-quality horn for a student-level price! Every trumpeter who has played the new GTR 512 has absolutely loved it.
It is a responsive, free-blowing horn with excellent tone. Impeccably crafted throughout, it features a .460" bore; rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks; hand-lapped stainless steel pistons; adjustable 3rd slide ring; and a 4.9" bell. The Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet comes with hard case and thickwall mouthpiece.
Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet Features:
* .460" bore
* Rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks
* Hand-lapped stainless steel pistons
* Hand-engraved 4.9" bell
* Comes with hardshell case and mouthpiece
Pro quality for a student price!
In creating the Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet - the first Giardinelli trumpet - the goal was simple: to offer the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Working with a leading European manufacturer, Giardinelli has developed a trumpet that more than meets that goal: a professional-quality horn for a student-level price! Every trumpeter who has played the new GTR 512 has absolutely loved it.
It is a responsive, free-blowing horn with excellent tone. Impeccably crafted throughout, it features a .460" bore; rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks; hand-lapped stainless steel pistons; adjustable 3rd slide ring; and a 4.9" bell. The Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet comes with hard case and thickwall mouthpiece.
Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet Features:
* .460" bore
* Rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks
* Hand-lapped stainless steel pistons
* Hand-engraved 4.9" bell
* Comes with hardshell case and mouthpiece
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Celebrating 30 Years w/ Great Financing
Step-Up & Pro Trombones from $989.00!
Double Horns Ready to Ship!
Great Euphoniums - In Stock!
Top Tubas - Ready to Ship!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Hands-On Review: Korg Tuners
Hands-On Review: Korg Tuners
Precise tuning for band and symphonic instruments (and more)
By Fred Ogdenmoor
Korg Tuners
I recently went to view a collection of rare and exotic musical instruments at the local university. It featured stringed, wind, and percussion instruments dating back several centuries with such rare pieces as a 17th century Spanish harp. I asked the conservator (the person who restores and maintains museum objects) if all the instruments were in playing condition. He assured me that not only was it desirable, but essential they be kept in playing condition so they can be researched and enjoyed, which was why they were built in the first place: to be played. Seizing the opportunity, I explained that I was writing some hands-on reviews of tuners and inquired if it would be possible to try out a couple of tuners on some of his treasures.
OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
A week later I met the conservator at the exhibit hall and pulled out the first tuner, the OT-120 Orchestral Tuner from Korg. Designed for the serious-minded musician, it’s powerful, precise, portable, and can be used in a practice room or studio—or with a collection of rare, historical instruments. With a detection range of eight octaves, the OT-120 can tune the complete array of orchestra and band instruments (and more, coming up later). The range is from A0, which is the lowest note on a piano, to C8, the highest note. This is within the full range of all orchestral instruments, from the lowest notes of the contrabassoon to the highest notes of the sopranino recorder. In addition to tuning to the standard of A=440Hz, calibration can be adjusted anywhere between 349Hz to 499Hz. This could come in handy for example, when tuning various instruments to accompany an historical keyboard such as an 18th century harpsichord. Although the instrument may be in tune with itself, because of its age, it may not be advisable to tune it to the standard of A=440, so accompanying instruments must be tuned to it.
Korg OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
Tuning for the ages
We first chose to tune a 17th century Baroque lute. It has 13 courses, usually pairs of strings, although the bottom two courses were individual strings for a total of 24 strings. Setting the OT-120 upright on a nearby table using the tilt-back stand, the conservator—I called him Professor—set the tuner into Manual mode with the needle movement on the VU meter set to Fast to handle the fast attack of the lute strings. He played each of the courses into the OT-120’s built-in mic to find out how the lute was pitched—in other words, how far off from our modern standard of A=440. He determined the overall tuning was flat by 48 cents. Because of the age of the instrument, the Professor decided to keep the tension relatively relaxed by lowering the tuner’s calibration to 392Hz instead of 440. In the Baroque period, lute players used a different type of tuning system, or temperament, that was developed so the lute could be played in tune in various keys. The OT-120 offers eight temperaments used to tune period and ethnic instruments. The Professor selected the Werckmeister (III) temperament (One of several tempered tuning systems devised by Andreas Werckmeister in the late 17th century. It uses perfect fifths, making it suitable for chromatic music such as by J.S. Bach). Starting with the bottom courses tuned in octaves to A, The Professor and I took turns bringing the lute to playability with only a few minor groans from the friction tuning pegs. To celebrate we cranked out a lively Celtic-styled jig. We then moved on to a crumhorn, a double reed horn from 17th century Germany to try out the Sound Back feature. We plugged the optional CM-100L microphone into the 1/4" input on the OT-120. For each note you play, the tuner then plays and holds a reference tone for that note so you can hear how far off pitch you may be. The meter also indicates the pitch being produced. By listening and watching, instrumentalists and vocalists can use the Sound Back feature to check and train their sense of pitch. Sound Back can be used as a learning tool. When playing the double reed crumhorn, Sound Back let us hear—and showed us—that some of the higher notes were being played a little off pitch. This was not because the instrument was out of tune, but was due to the player’s technique. Using Sound Back, the player can alter his embouchure until the note is played on pitch.
Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner on Mandolin
Hurdy-Gurdy man
A more fun instrument to tune was the hurdy-gurdy, which looks like a Borg version of a violin. The sound of the hurdy-gurdy has been compared to bagpipes because it has four drone strings. The instrument lies across your legs and has a crank on the end that turns a wheel, which bows the strings. Melodies are created by pressing keys that run along the neck, changing the pitch of the melody strings, or chanters. The Professor decided to use modern equal temperament to tune the hurdy-gurdy. This time, we used a Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner. Like the OT-120, the AW-1 has a detection range of A0 to C8, but is packed into an even more compact and lightweight unit. We used the larger of the two supplied clips to attach the AW-1 to the bridge and tuned the four melody and two drone strings to Cs and Gs. The internal piezo pickup detected vibrations directly from the hurdy-gurdy so accurate tuning was possible even in a noisy room. For some instruments like the flute, clipping the tuner would put the display too close to read, so the AW-1 also comes with an internal mic. The oval-shaped LCD meter automatically displays the nearest correct note. The Meter Reverse button flips the display so it can be read if the tuner is clipped upside down to an instrument.
LCA-120 Chromatic Tuner and LMA-120 Digital Metronome
For the musician who wants more versatility than the AW-1 but doesn’t need all of the capabilities of the OT-120, there is the LCA-120. This chromatic tuner has a large easy-to-see backlit LCD screen in a flip-top design. Like the OT-120, the LCA-120 has a 1/4" input, built-in condenser mic, produces a four-octave reference tone, an A0-C8 tuning range, and has the Sound Back mode for ear training with the use of the optional CM-100L mic.
LCA-120 Chromatic Tuner and LMA-120 Digital Metronome
What’s different? The LCA-120 has an adjustable calibration range of 410Hz-480Hz. It adds a Focus Tune function that zooms the LCD meter when your instrument’s pitch is within the ±10 cents range for more precise tuning. For temperaments, the LCA-120 has a programmable Temperament Program function to let you specify the tuning pitch for each note. A volume meter on the LCD measures the volume of the signal for practicing dynamics or long tones and a 1/8" headphone jack lets you hear reference tones without disturbing others.
The LMA-120 Digital Metronome sports the same flip-top design. Besides listening to the tempo, it uses a large LCD to show the tempo using "Conducting Motion" display. Three bars move in a way similar to a conductor’s baton so the motion lets you feel the tempo in a natural, musical way. Various beats, rhythms, and tempo step patterns can be combined to form a wide variety of song styles. The tempo can be adjusted from 30 to 252 BPM or you can repeatedly press the TAP switch in time with the desired tempo. The LMA-120 also has a Sound Out mode that generates a reference tone in a one-octave range of C4-C5. Like the LCA-120, the calibration can be adjusted from 410Hz to 480Hz and has a 1/8" headphone jack. When you power down, your specified tempo, beat, calibration, and reference pitch settings are saved.
Admittedly these are somewhat extreme examples of the power and flexibility of Korg tuners. Of course, not only can you use all of these Korg tuners to tune just about any band or orchestra instrument, you can use them to tune your more modern guitars and basses.
Features & Specs
OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
* Full 8 octave (A0-C8) detection range
* Tuning accuracy within ±1 cent
* Calibration range from 349Hz to 499Hz (based on standard A=440)
* 8 temperaments for classical and ethnic instruments:
o Pythagorean
o Mean Tone Eb
o Mean Tone D#
o Werckmeister (III)
o Kimberger III
o Kellner
o Vallotti
o Young
* Auto tuning mode
* VU-style meter with slow, medium, and fast needle movement
* Built-in speaker
* Playback reference tones from over 5 octaves
* Sound Out and Sound Back modes
* Vertical design
* Sleek and durable aluminum panel
* Tilt-back stand
* Soft case with belt clip
* 100 hour battery life
Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner
* Detection range: A0 (27.50Hz)~C8 (4186Hz)
* Ultracompact, lightweight unit
* 2 clips with internal piezo pickups
* Tuner with internal mic
* Meter Reverse function position
* Pure major third/minor third indicators
* Wide calibration range: 410~480Hz (1Hz steps)
* Memory backup
* Auto power off
* Scale: 12-note equal temperament
* Range (sine wave): A0 (27.50Hz)-C8 (4186Hz)
* Precision: ±1 cent
* Reference pitch: 410-480Hz (1Hz steps)
* Dimensions: 0.98"W x 0.35"H x 2.17"D
* Weight: 11g/ 0.024 lbs. (Including battery)
Included items:
* CR1220 lithium battery (3V) for checking operation
* Large instrument clip (with internal piezo pickup)
* Small instrument clip (with internal piezo pickup)
LCA-120 Chromatic Flip-Top Digital Tuner
* Scale: 12 note equal temperament, program (88 notes)
* Detection Range: A0 (27.50Hz) to C8 (4186.01Hz)
* Reference Tone: C2 (65.41Hz) to C6 (1046.50Hz)
* Tuning Modes: Meter (AUTO), Focus Tune (AUTO), Sound Out (MANUAL), Sound Back (AUTO)
* Calibration Range: A4=410Hz to 480Hz (1Hz step)
* Detection Accuracy: Better than ±1.0 cent
* Sound Accuracy: Better than ±1.5 cents
* Volume Meter Display
* Programmable Temperament Function
* Connections: INPUT (1/4"), Headphones (1/8" mini), DC IN (9V)
* Speaker: Dynamic speaker (16mm x 35mm)
* Power Supply: 2 AAA alkaline batteries (3V) or AC adapter
* Battery Life: Approximately 60 hours (when tuner is operating with alkaline batteries, Meter mode, A4 continuous input and back-light off)
* Dimensions: 3.98"W x 0.81"H x 3.31"D (folded)
* Weight: 5.22 oz. (including batteries)
Included Items:
* 2 AAA batteries for checking operation
LMA-120 Flip-Top Digital Metronome
* Display settings: Conducting display, Left/Right motion display
* Tempo Range: 30 to 252 beats per minute in quarter notes
* Tempo Settings: PENDULUM step, FULL step
* Beats: 0-9 beats
* Rhythms: quarter, eighth, triplets, triplets with inner beat omitted, quadruplets, quadruplets with inner beat omitted
* Tempo Accuracy: Better than ±0.1 %
* Reference Tone: C4 (261.63Hz) to C5 (523.25Hz) One octave
* Calibration Range: A4=410Hz to 480Hz (1Hz step)
* Sound Accuracy: Better than ±1.5 cents
* Connections: Headphones (1/8" mini), DC IN (9V)
* Speaker: Dynamic speaker (23mm)
* Power Supply: 2 AAA alkaline batteries (3V) or AC adapter
* Battery Life: Approximately 90 hours (when metronome is operating with alkaline batteries, tempo=120, beat=4, rhythm=quarter note, and back-light is off)
* Dimensions: 3.98"W x 0.81"H x 3.31"D (folded)
* Weight: 5.22 oz. (including batteries)
Included Items:
* 2 AAA batteries for checking operation
CM-100L Microphone
* Clip-on contact mic
* 1/4" phone jack
* Complements any tuner with a 1/4" audio input
Precise tuning for band and symphonic instruments (and more)
By Fred Ogdenmoor
Korg Tuners
I recently went to view a collection of rare and exotic musical instruments at the local university. It featured stringed, wind, and percussion instruments dating back several centuries with such rare pieces as a 17th century Spanish harp. I asked the conservator (the person who restores and maintains museum objects) if all the instruments were in playing condition. He assured me that not only was it desirable, but essential they be kept in playing condition so they can be researched and enjoyed, which was why they were built in the first place: to be played. Seizing the opportunity, I explained that I was writing some hands-on reviews of tuners and inquired if it would be possible to try out a couple of tuners on some of his treasures.
OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
A week later I met the conservator at the exhibit hall and pulled out the first tuner, the OT-120 Orchestral Tuner from Korg. Designed for the serious-minded musician, it’s powerful, precise, portable, and can be used in a practice room or studio—or with a collection of rare, historical instruments. With a detection range of eight octaves, the OT-120 can tune the complete array of orchestra and band instruments (and more, coming up later). The range is from A0, which is the lowest note on a piano, to C8, the highest note. This is within the full range of all orchestral instruments, from the lowest notes of the contrabassoon to the highest notes of the sopranino recorder. In addition to tuning to the standard of A=440Hz, calibration can be adjusted anywhere between 349Hz to 499Hz. This could come in handy for example, when tuning various instruments to accompany an historical keyboard such as an 18th century harpsichord. Although the instrument may be in tune with itself, because of its age, it may not be advisable to tune it to the standard of A=440, so accompanying instruments must be tuned to it.
Korg OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
Tuning for the ages
We first chose to tune a 17th century Baroque lute. It has 13 courses, usually pairs of strings, although the bottom two courses were individual strings for a total of 24 strings. Setting the OT-120 upright on a nearby table using the tilt-back stand, the conservator—I called him Professor—set the tuner into Manual mode with the needle movement on the VU meter set to Fast to handle the fast attack of the lute strings. He played each of the courses into the OT-120’s built-in mic to find out how the lute was pitched—in other words, how far off from our modern standard of A=440. He determined the overall tuning was flat by 48 cents. Because of the age of the instrument, the Professor decided to keep the tension relatively relaxed by lowering the tuner’s calibration to 392Hz instead of 440. In the Baroque period, lute players used a different type of tuning system, or temperament, that was developed so the lute could be played in tune in various keys. The OT-120 offers eight temperaments used to tune period and ethnic instruments. The Professor selected the Werckmeister (III) temperament (One of several tempered tuning systems devised by Andreas Werckmeister in the late 17th century. It uses perfect fifths, making it suitable for chromatic music such as by J.S. Bach). Starting with the bottom courses tuned in octaves to A, The Professor and I took turns bringing the lute to playability with only a few minor groans from the friction tuning pegs. To celebrate we cranked out a lively Celtic-styled jig. We then moved on to a crumhorn, a double reed horn from 17th century Germany to try out the Sound Back feature. We plugged the optional CM-100L microphone into the 1/4" input on the OT-120. For each note you play, the tuner then plays and holds a reference tone for that note so you can hear how far off pitch you may be. The meter also indicates the pitch being produced. By listening and watching, instrumentalists and vocalists can use the Sound Back feature to check and train their sense of pitch. Sound Back can be used as a learning tool. When playing the double reed crumhorn, Sound Back let us hear—and showed us—that some of the higher notes were being played a little off pitch. This was not because the instrument was out of tune, but was due to the player’s technique. Using Sound Back, the player can alter his embouchure until the note is played on pitch.
Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner on Mandolin
Hurdy-Gurdy man
A more fun instrument to tune was the hurdy-gurdy, which looks like a Borg version of a violin. The sound of the hurdy-gurdy has been compared to bagpipes because it has four drone strings. The instrument lies across your legs and has a crank on the end that turns a wheel, which bows the strings. Melodies are created by pressing keys that run along the neck, changing the pitch of the melody strings, or chanters. The Professor decided to use modern equal temperament to tune the hurdy-gurdy. This time, we used a Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner. Like the OT-120, the AW-1 has a detection range of A0 to C8, but is packed into an even more compact and lightweight unit. We used the larger of the two supplied clips to attach the AW-1 to the bridge and tuned the four melody and two drone strings to Cs and Gs. The internal piezo pickup detected vibrations directly from the hurdy-gurdy so accurate tuning was possible even in a noisy room. For some instruments like the flute, clipping the tuner would put the display too close to read, so the AW-1 also comes with an internal mic. The oval-shaped LCD meter automatically displays the nearest correct note. The Meter Reverse button flips the display so it can be read if the tuner is clipped upside down to an instrument.
LCA-120 Chromatic Tuner and LMA-120 Digital Metronome
For the musician who wants more versatility than the AW-1 but doesn’t need all of the capabilities of the OT-120, there is the LCA-120. This chromatic tuner has a large easy-to-see backlit LCD screen in a flip-top design. Like the OT-120, the LCA-120 has a 1/4" input, built-in condenser mic, produces a four-octave reference tone, an A0-C8 tuning range, and has the Sound Back mode for ear training with the use of the optional CM-100L mic.
LCA-120 Chromatic Tuner and LMA-120 Digital Metronome
What’s different? The LCA-120 has an adjustable calibration range of 410Hz-480Hz. It adds a Focus Tune function that zooms the LCD meter when your instrument’s pitch is within the ±10 cents range for more precise tuning. For temperaments, the LCA-120 has a programmable Temperament Program function to let you specify the tuning pitch for each note. A volume meter on the LCD measures the volume of the signal for practicing dynamics or long tones and a 1/8" headphone jack lets you hear reference tones without disturbing others.
The LMA-120 Digital Metronome sports the same flip-top design. Besides listening to the tempo, it uses a large LCD to show the tempo using "Conducting Motion" display. Three bars move in a way similar to a conductor’s baton so the motion lets you feel the tempo in a natural, musical way. Various beats, rhythms, and tempo step patterns can be combined to form a wide variety of song styles. The tempo can be adjusted from 30 to 252 BPM or you can repeatedly press the TAP switch in time with the desired tempo. The LMA-120 also has a Sound Out mode that generates a reference tone in a one-octave range of C4-C5. Like the LCA-120, the calibration can be adjusted from 410Hz to 480Hz and has a 1/8" headphone jack. When you power down, your specified tempo, beat, calibration, and reference pitch settings are saved.
Admittedly these are somewhat extreme examples of the power and flexibility of Korg tuners. Of course, not only can you use all of these Korg tuners to tune just about any band or orchestra instrument, you can use them to tune your more modern guitars and basses.
Features & Specs
OT-120 Orchestral Tuner
* Full 8 octave (A0-C8) detection range
* Tuning accuracy within ±1 cent
* Calibration range from 349Hz to 499Hz (based on standard A=440)
* 8 temperaments for classical and ethnic instruments:
o Pythagorean
o Mean Tone Eb
o Mean Tone D#
o Werckmeister (III)
o Kimberger III
o Kellner
o Vallotti
o Young
* Auto tuning mode
* VU-style meter with slow, medium, and fast needle movement
* Built-in speaker
* Playback reference tones from over 5 octaves
* Sound Out and Sound Back modes
* Vertical design
* Sleek and durable aluminum panel
* Tilt-back stand
* Soft case with belt clip
* 100 hour battery life
Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner
* Detection range: A0 (27.50Hz)~C8 (4186Hz)
* Ultracompact, lightweight unit
* 2 clips with internal piezo pickups
* Tuner with internal mic
* Meter Reverse function position
* Pure major third/minor third indicators
* Wide calibration range: 410~480Hz (1Hz steps)
* Memory backup
* Auto power off
* Scale: 12-note equal temperament
* Range (sine wave): A0 (27.50Hz)-C8 (4186Hz)
* Precision: ±1 cent
* Reference pitch: 410-480Hz (1Hz steps)
* Dimensions: 0.98"W x 0.35"H x 2.17"D
* Weight: 11g/ 0.024 lbs. (Including battery)
Included items:
* CR1220 lithium battery (3V) for checking operation
* Large instrument clip (with internal piezo pickup)
* Small instrument clip (with internal piezo pickup)
LCA-120 Chromatic Flip-Top Digital Tuner
* Scale: 12 note equal temperament, program (88 notes)
* Detection Range: A0 (27.50Hz) to C8 (4186.01Hz)
* Reference Tone: C2 (65.41Hz) to C6 (1046.50Hz)
* Tuning Modes: Meter (AUTO), Focus Tune (AUTO), Sound Out (MANUAL), Sound Back (AUTO)
* Calibration Range: A4=410Hz to 480Hz (1Hz step)
* Detection Accuracy: Better than ±1.0 cent
* Sound Accuracy: Better than ±1.5 cents
* Volume Meter Display
* Programmable Temperament Function
* Connections: INPUT (1/4"), Headphones (1/8" mini), DC IN (9V)
* Speaker: Dynamic speaker (16mm x 35mm)
* Power Supply: 2 AAA alkaline batteries (3V) or AC adapter
* Battery Life: Approximately 60 hours (when tuner is operating with alkaline batteries, Meter mode, A4 continuous input and back-light off)
* Dimensions: 3.98"W x 0.81"H x 3.31"D (folded)
* Weight: 5.22 oz. (including batteries)
Included Items:
* 2 AAA batteries for checking operation
LMA-120 Flip-Top Digital Metronome
* Display settings: Conducting display, Left/Right motion display
* Tempo Range: 30 to 252 beats per minute in quarter notes
* Tempo Settings: PENDULUM step, FULL step
* Beats: 0-9 beats
* Rhythms: quarter, eighth, triplets, triplets with inner beat omitted, quadruplets, quadruplets with inner beat omitted
* Tempo Accuracy: Better than ±0.1 %
* Reference Tone: C4 (261.63Hz) to C5 (523.25Hz) One octave
* Calibration Range: A4=410Hz to 480Hz (1Hz step)
* Sound Accuracy: Better than ±1.5 cents
* Connections: Headphones (1/8" mini), DC IN (9V)
* Speaker: Dynamic speaker (23mm)
* Power Supply: 2 AAA alkaline batteries (3V) or AC adapter
* Battery Life: Approximately 90 hours (when metronome is operating with alkaline batteries, tempo=120, beat=4, rhythm=quarter note, and back-light is off)
* Dimensions: 3.98"W x 0.81"H x 3.31"D (folded)
* Weight: 5.22 oz. (including batteries)
Included Items:
* 2 AAA batteries for checking operation
CM-100L Microphone
* Clip-on contact mic
* 1/4" phone jack
* Complements any tuner with a 1/4" audio input
Friday, June 29, 2007
WWBW Brass Sale
Holton H179 Farkas Horn – In Stock!
Yamaha YSL640 Trombone - $1,691.01!
Yamaha YEP642S Euphonium – Ready to Ship!
Summer Camp Survival Essentials!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Musician's Friend Coupon
Offer Details:
* Valid on new orders placed online between June 19, and July 3, 2007.
* Coupon will be issued via email on Wednesday, July 17, 2007.
* Coupon is applicable to future orders; not current order.
* Coupon must be redeemed online by July 31, 2007.
Musician's Friend Coupon
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Woodwind & Brasswind
Summer Camp Survival Essentials!
Holton H179 Farkas Horn – In Stock!
Yamaha YSL640 Trombone - $1,691.01!
Yamaha YEP642S Euphonium – Ready to Ship!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Giardinelli GTR 512
SAVE UP TO $642.01 (52%) When You Buy Today!
List: $820.00 - $1,350.00
Our Price: $524.99 - $707.99
Sale Price: $389.99 - $707.99
Pro quality for a student price!
In creating the Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet - the first Giardinelli trumpet - the goal was simple: to offer the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Working with a leading European manufacturer, Giardinelli has developed a trumpet that more than meets that goal: a professional-quality horn for a student-level price! Every trumpeter who has played the new GTR 512 has absolutely loved it.
It is a responsive, free-blowing horn with excellent tone. Impeccably crafted throughout, it features a .460" bore; rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks; hand-lapped stainless steel pistons; adjustable 3rd slide ring; and a 4.9" bell. The Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet comes with hard case and thickwall mouthpiece.
Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet Features:
* .460" bore
* Rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks
* Hand-lapped stainless steel pistons
* Hand-engraved 4.9" bell
* Comes with hardshell case and mouthpiece
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Yamaha 8335RGS Pro Bb Trumpet - $1,795.01!
Woodwind & Brasswind
Yamaha 8335RGS Pro Bb Trumpet - $1,795.01!
Bach Strad 42BO Trombone - In Stock!
Miraphone 1291-5V CC Tuba - $7,349.99!
Start of Summer Clearance Savings!
Yamaha 8335RGS Pro Bb Trumpet - $1,795.01!
Bach Strad 42BO Trombone - In Stock!
Miraphone 1291-5V CC Tuba - $7,349.99!
Start of Summer Clearance Savings!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Save Up To 40% - Brass Instrument Care And Cleaning
Save Up To 40% - Brass Instrument Care And Cleaning
Save Up To 40% - Brass Instrument Care And Cleaning
Giardinelli Silver Trumpet Master Care Pack
Trumpet snake, valve oil, 2-step brush (small), tuning slide grease, silver polishing cloth, valve brush, deluxe Cordura case.
Price: $14.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $24.99
Giardinelli Microfiber Polish Cloth
Cloth picks up fingerprints and smudges without leaving a dust trail like cotton polish cloths. 12" x 12" with stitched edge.
Price: $9.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $14.99
Rating: Overall: 8.90
Bach 1877 Trumpet Repair/Maintenance Kit
Contains the most common repair parts for Bach Stradivarius trumpets, such as water key springs, valve felts, stem felts, etc.
Price: $22.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $36.50
Rating: Overall: 10.00
Slide-O-Mix Trombone Lubrication System
Used by professional trombone artists worldwide, this long-lasting formula needs only a minimum application for maximum speed and action. Apply...
Price: $10.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $17.20
Rating: Overall: 9.81
Save Up To 40% - Brass Instrument Care And Cleaning
Giardinelli Silver Trumpet Master Care Pack
Trumpet snake, valve oil, 2-step brush (small), tuning slide grease, silver polishing cloth, valve brush, deluxe Cordura case.
Price: $14.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $24.99
Giardinelli Microfiber Polish Cloth
Cloth picks up fingerprints and smudges without leaving a dust trail like cotton polish cloths. 12" x 12" with stitched edge.
Price: $9.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $14.99
Rating: Overall: 8.90
Bach 1877 Trumpet Repair/Maintenance Kit
Contains the most common repair parts for Bach Stradivarius trumpets, such as water key springs, valve felts, stem felts, etc.
Price: $22.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $36.50
Rating: Overall: 10.00
Slide-O-Mix Trombone Lubrication System
Used by professional trombone artists worldwide, this long-lasting formula needs only a minimum application for maximum speed and action. Apply...
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List Price: $17.20
Rating: Overall: 9.81
Save Up To 40% - Brass Gig Bag Sale
Save Up To 40% - Brass Gig Bag Sale
Pro Tec Contoured PRO PAC Tenor Trombone Case
The Protec Contoured PRO PAC Tenor Trombone Case fits most tenors with F-attachments and accommodates up to 9" bells. The interior features an...
Price: $129.99 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $184.00
Rating: Overall: 8.14
Giardinelli Premium Lightweight Trumpet Case
The Giardinelli Premium Lightweight Trumpet Case takes a little weight off your shoulder. The exterior is premium smooth vinyl with textured trim...
Price: $49.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $89.99
Rating: Overall: 10.00
Gator GC-Trumpet Molded ABS Case
The Gator ABS Musical Instrument cases are made to meet requirements of the professional and student band players. This trumpet case is constructed...
Price: $49.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $79.99
Pro Tec Contoured PRO PAC Tenor Trombone Case
The Protec Contoured PRO PAC Tenor Trombone Case fits most tenors with F-attachments and accommodates up to 9" bells. The interior features an...
Price: $129.99 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $184.00
Rating: Overall: 8.14
Giardinelli Premium Lightweight Trumpet Case
The Giardinelli Premium Lightweight Trumpet Case takes a little weight off your shoulder. The exterior is premium smooth vinyl with textured trim...
Price: $49.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $89.99
Rating: Overall: 10.00
Gator GC-Trumpet Molded ABS Case
The Gator ABS Musical Instrument cases are made to meet requirements of the professional and student band players. This trumpet case is constructed...
Price: $49.99 Ships free on most orders over $99
List Price: $79.99
Save Up To 52% - Giardinelli Trumpet
Scratch & Dent Specials at Musician's Friend
SAVE UP TO $642.01 (52%) When You Buy Today!
List: $820.00 - $1,350.00
Our Price: $524.99 - $707.99
Sale Price: $389.99 - $707.99
Pro quality for a student price!
In creating the Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet - the first Giardinelli trumpet - the goal was simple: to offer the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Working with a leading European manufacturer, Giardinelli has developed a trumpet that more than meets that goal: a professional-quality horn for a student-level price! Every trumpeter who has played the new GTR 512 has absolutely loved it.
It is a responsive, free-blowing horn with excellent tone. Impeccably crafted throughout, it features a .460" bore; rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks; hand-lapped stainless steel pistons; adjustable 3rd slide ring; and a 4.9" bell. The Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet comes with hard case and thickwall mouthpiece.
Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet Features:
* .460" bore
* Rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks
* Hand-lapped stainless steel pistons
* Hand-engraved 4.9" bell
* Comes with hardshell case and mouthpiece
SAVE UP TO $642.01 (52%) When You Buy Today!
List: $820.00 - $1,350.00
Our Price: $524.99 - $707.99
Sale Price: $389.99 - $707.99
Pro quality for a student price!
In creating the Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet - the first Giardinelli trumpet - the goal was simple: to offer the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Working with a leading European manufacturer, Giardinelli has developed a trumpet that more than meets that goal: a professional-quality horn for a student-level price! Every trumpeter who has played the new GTR 512 has absolutely loved it.
It is a responsive, free-blowing horn with excellent tone. Impeccably crafted throughout, it features a .460" bore; rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks; hand-lapped stainless steel pistons; adjustable 3rd slide ring; and a 4.9" bell. The Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet comes with hard case and thickwall mouthpiece.
Giardinelli GTR 512 Professional Trumpet Features:
* .460" bore
* Rose brass lead pipe and slide crooks
* Hand-lapped stainless steel pistons
* Hand-engraved 4.9" bell
* Comes with hardshell case and mouthpiece
Friday, June 01, 2007
Yamaha YTR-8335S Xeno Professional Trumpet
Musician's Friend Clearance Center
Yamaha YTR-8335S Xeno Professional Trumpet
The Yamaha YTR-8335S Xeno Professional Trumpet is tuned in the key of Bb. Heavyweight; .459" bore; 4-7/8" hand-hammered, one-piece, yellow brass...
Price: $1,725.01 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $2,424.00
Yamaha YTR-8335S Xeno Professional Trumpet
The Yamaha YTR-8335S Xeno Professional Trumpet is tuned in the key of Bb. Heavyweight; .459" bore; 4-7/8" hand-hammered, one-piece, yellow brass...
Price: $1,725.01 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $2,424.00
Yamaha YTR-8445GS Xeno Series Professional Trumpet
Musician's Friend Clearance Center
Yamaha YTR-8445GS Xeno Series Professional Trumpet
Key of C. .459" bore; one-piece, hand-hammered, 4-7/8" gold brass bell; one-piece, drawn mouthpipe; Monel pistons; 2-piece valve casings; double main...
Price: $1,725.01 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $2,424.00
Yamaha YTR-8445GS Xeno Series Professional Trumpet
Key of C. .459" bore; one-piece, hand-hammered, 4-7/8" gold brass bell; one-piece, drawn mouthpipe; Monel pistons; 2-piece valve casings; double main...
Price: $1,725.01 Item Ships Free!
List Price: $2,424.00
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Music 123 Sale
Protec A200 Small Brass Mouthpiece Pouch
Nylon small brass mouthpiece pouch - black exterior more >
List Price: $2.95
Our Price: $1.99
Hamilton KB510 Trombone Stand
Nickel chrome plated trombone stand. more >
List Price: $37.50
Our Price: $22.99
Bill Pfund Trumpet Mute Holder
One of the most versatile mute holders on the market! It has 2 small loops that will hold trumpet straight more >
List Price: $15.00
Our Price: $8.99
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Musician's Friend Platinum card
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Apply now online or call 1-800-391-8762 for a quick, hassle-free credit decision. With your Musician's Friend Platinum Card, you can play music right away with your new equipment while maintaining low monthly payments.
Place your order today!
Apply online or call 1-800-391-8762 to start your Platinum Membership now. You’ll be able to order gear immediately with your new Platinum Membership, subject to credit approval.
No Money Down, No Annual Fee.
Your Platinum Membership purchases will never require a large down payment. Just make the minimum monthly payment, or any additional amount you choose.
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Offer Ends May 22, Apply Now!
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For a limited time we're offering 2 great ways to save
with your Musician's Friend Platinum card!
No Interest For 3 Months*
Place an order for up to $99 using your Musician's Friend Platinum Card and take up to 3 months to pay with no interest.
12 Months, No Payments, No Interest**
Place an order for just $99 or more with your Musician's Friend Platinum Card and take advantage of no payments or interest for 12 months.
It’s the practical, money-saving way to finance your music gear purchases.
Apply now online or call 1-800-391-8762 for a quick, hassle-free credit decision. With your Musician's Friend Platinum Card, you can play music right away with your new equipment while maintaining low monthly payments.
Place your order today!
Apply online or call 1-800-391-8762 to start your Platinum Membership now. You’ll be able to order gear immediately with your new Platinum Membership, subject to credit approval.
No Money Down, No Annual Fee.
Your Platinum Membership purchases will never require a large down payment. Just make the minimum monthly payment, or any additional amount you choose.
You Choose Your Payments!
Choose the payment plan that fits your budget. You can make payments stretched out over time or pay your bill off in just a few months . . . the choice is yours!
Offer Ends May 22, Apply Now!
Already a Platinum Card Member?
Click here to access your online account to make payments, view your account balance, transaction history, receive email alerts and more.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Bach Stradivarius 182
SAVE $861.00 (28%) When You Buy Today!
List: $3,010.00
Sale Price: $2,149.00
Players will enjoy the quick response, overtone, and classic features of the Stradivarius 182. Genuine Vincent Bach 3c mouthpiece, lightweight body with a .459" bore, #25 mouthpipe, and leather case.
Bach Stradivarius 182 Trumpet Features:
* 3c mouthpiece
* #25 mouthpipe
* Lightweight body
* .459" bore
* Classic vintage-style leather case
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Benge X Series Pro Silver Bb Trumpet
The Benge 3X Series Professional Silver Bb Trumpet has been the choice of professional players for both symphonic and commercial work for many years. The 3X Series Trumpets feature the 3X one-piece bell for even vibration and excellent projection. The Benge 3X Trumpets are available in silver-plate finish in a Medium-large .460 inch bore (3XSP) or in a Large .464 inch bore (3XPLUSSP).
Yamaha YTR8310Z Bobby Shew Pro Bb Trumpet
Our Price: $1,595.01
List Price: $2,333.99
You Save: $738.98
Yamaha
Yamaha and Bobby Shew have done it again. The 8310Z is the result of their work. A newly redesigned Shew model offering the player more versatility throughout the entire range of the horn. Includes a FREE Silent Brass Trumpet & Flugel Pack! ($250.00 value)
Monel pistons
Monel pistons are resistant to corrosion and are an ideal choice for professional trumpet pistons which must retain precise fit and smooth Action over many years
Unique Bell Bead Design
This design allows for a more resonant and projecting sound.
Hammered one-piece bell
The newly designed yellow brass bell features a side seam and a variable wall thickness. This new manufacturing process results in a quicker response, a deeper rich sound, a wider spectrum of tone colors and better projection.
Hand lapped pistons and slides
Hand-lapping pistons and slides ensures an absolutely perfect fit and seal between the pistons and casing or slide parts. Such a perfect fit helps to achieve smooth air flow and smooth action and improves the response and Intonation of the instrument
Laser-fused pluzuma welded bell
A high-energy laser fuses the brass together for a virtually seamless bell which allows continuous even vibrations.
Unbraced inner outer tuning slide
As with all Yamaha lightweight trumpets, the YTR-8310Z has an unbraced inner outer tuning slide which makes the trumpet comfortably open with less resistance.
One-piece, drawn, gold brass leadpipe
This type of leadpipe offers excellent intonation, response and proper resistance.
Large bell flare and large bore tuning slide
The large bore tuning slide and large bell flare in combination with the stepped bore design allows this medium bore trumpet to produce a very big sound with very little effort.
Yamaha YBB641 Professional BBb Tuba
Our Price: $7,404.01
List Price: $10,641.00
You Save: $3,236.99
A fine tuba built in the German tradition and modeled after the early Meinl Westons. These instruments have a great sound and a great valve action. An excellent horn for any type of playing.
The Yamaha YBB641 Professional BBb Tuba
A timeless classic
When Yamaha started to build tubas they first went out and examined all the instruments that were currently available and re-engineered the best features from each into a spectacular tuba. This horn has the traditional German sound, a tubing wrap reminiscent of the early Meinl Westons, the long leadpipe and bell of the Miraphones and the resonance of the Cervenys. This horn is a well blended combination that has a voice all its own. You will enjoy playing this instrument.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Yamaha YTR9335NYS New York Custom Artist Bb Trumpet
Our Price: $3,395.01
List Price: $4,500.00
You Save: $1,104.99
Yamaha
Developed in cooperation between Robert Sullivan of the Cleveland Orchestra and Bob Malone, Yamaha master trumpet designer. The YTR9335NYS Custom Artist Bb Trumpet features a .459" medium-large bore and a one-piece yellow brass bell for improved resonance and projection. This trumpet also features a MB2 leadpipe; monel pistons; silver-plate finish. Includes a TRC-9445 deluxe case and a TR17B4 mouthpiece. Includes a FREE Silent Brass Trumpet & Flugel Pack! ($250.00 value)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Giardinelli Mouthpieces
Giardinelli Mouthpieces
Comfort, Facility & Tone
By Clive Whitehall
Every brass player is on a constant quest to find the perfect, or at least better, mouthpiece. It is, after all, the interface between you and your instrument, and the right mouthpiece can make a big difference. As young players become stronger with improved wind and embouchure, they will eventually be dissatisfied with their student mouthpiece and want to move to a different one that gives a bigger, fuller tone. But the desire to improve is universal no matter what a player's level, and a change of mouthpiece is alluring because it can be an easy, affordable, and instant path to improvement. As a result, brass players keep trying new mouthpieces, even when they already have one they like.
Giardinelli Mouthpieces
Trial and error
It would be nice if there were a method to this mouthpiece madness, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be. It's just a matter of feeling your way guided by some general principles: shallow mouthpieces are generally easier for new players and for playing in higher registers. Deeper mouthpieces require a more developed embouchure, but produce a bigger, fuller tone and make the low notes easier to play.
Beyond these rules, mouthpiece selection involves a plethora of factors and details. The shape of your face and size of your lips make your requirements quite individual. The kind of music you play and sound you want are also factors. Most importantly, find a mouthpiece that is comfortable and works well for you.
The Giardinelli solution
Many players have found Giardinelli mouthpieces fruitful ground for mouthpiece hunting. All brass manufacturers make mouthpieces for their instruments, which means there are many to try, but most of them treat mouthpieces as a peripheral and haven't given them that much attention. Giardinelli, on the other hand, has been producing mouthpieces for decades and has focused considerable attention on refining its designs.
Giardinelli mouthpieces originated in the New York instrument repair shop of Robert Giardinelli. The shop specialized in brass repair and served musicians in the New York jazz and orchestral worlds. Along with normal repairs, musicians would ask Giardinelli to make modifications to mouthpieces they were using. Giardinelli would file, machine, or drill them and the player would often go away with an altered mouthpiece that worked better.
Giardinelli saw that many mouthpieces available at the time were of inferior quality. He decided that he could design and produce better mouthpieces and got into the business. At first he handcrafted custom mouthpieces for professionals he knew from his repair business. He proved to be good at it and his reputation grew among brass players. Before long he was making mouthpieces for top professionals, including such notables as Louis Armstrong, Clark Terry, Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, and many other big-time players from both the jazz and orchestral fields.
This close association with top players proved a wonderful resource. By discussing their needs with them and getting feedback on the custom mouthpieces he made, Giardinelli gained a wealth of knowledge and experience about what worked and what didn't, a knowledge that informed his designs.
After a time, the shop became a small factory and Giardinelli mouthpieces became available in standard models that incorporated the most successful design features from his custom work. Over the years, the Giardinelli line has continued to build a reputation among brass players of all stripes—many of whom have found their perfect mouthpiece to be a Giardinelli.
Comfort is king
The most frequent comment about the Giardinelli mouthpiece is that it is more comfortable, a better fit. The variations in mouthpieces can be extremely subtle—slight differences in mass; diameter, shape, and width of the rim; the depth and shape of the cup; the size and taper of the backbore. Even the smallest variations in these create differences in feel and air flow, both of which effect the player's connection with his instrument. Giardinelli designs vary in crucial ways that give a range of players real choices for comfort and performance. There very likely is a Giardinelli perfect for you.
In selecting a mouthpiece, it helps to know which are most popular with other players, and Giardinelli is ready and willing to provide this information. For club and jazz trumpet players, the 7 and 6 series mouthpieces are the most widely used. For symphony players, the 3 and 1 series are the most favored. All standard trumpet mouthpieces have the C-style cup in which the cup sides are gently curved inward for fullness of tone, and they come in a range of depths.
With the current popularity of the flugelhorn as a doubling instrument for trumpeters, Giardinelli also includes a selection of flugelhorn mouthpieces. For a mellow, fluffy tone, the cup has to be deeper and the bore larger than for a trumpet. For doubling it is recommended that you select a model with a rim matching your trumpet's mouthpiece to make switching from one to the other easier.
For French horn, the C series mouthpieces are far-and-away the favorites. The C1 has a deep, gently curved cup with a large bore and thin rim. It is very comfortable for many players and delivers a powerful sound. The C4, C6, C8, and C10s are the same as the C1 except for gradually smaller bores for greater resistance and less effort in tone support. C12 and C15 are also popular. They have shallower cups and are most often used for high F horns.
For trombone, 5D and 5M are the most popular for club and studio work. The symphony tenors—horns such as the Bach 42B, Conn 88H, Holton TR158, and Yamaha YSL682—respond well with the Symphony T and Symphony B bass shank models. Both models are also available in a tenor shank.
Quality that lasts
Since all mouthpieces are made of brass, differences in quality apart from design are matters of machining and plating. Giardinelli mouthpieces are machined with modern CNC lathes that create absolutely smooth surfaces, even when examined under a microscope. Then they are double-plated with a high quality and very pure nickel silver by means of a special process. The result is a plated surface that is extremely smooth and durable. It isn't abrasive to the lips and won't wear through in a lifetime no matter how much you play.
The Yamaha Silent Brass System
The Yamaha Silent Brass System
Yamaha Silent Brass System
All brass players share a common problem: finding a practice space where they won't bother anyone and, conversely, one in which they won't be distracted by ambient sound.
A traditional solution is the use of a practice mute. Inserted in the bell of the instrument, it significantly muffles projection. The downside is that practice mutes produce a lot of resistance that radically alters the instrument's natural playing characteristics. So in the course of reducing projection, they make it tough to really hear what you're playing, thus canceling out much of the benefit of practice.
Yamaha's Silent Brass System elegantly solves these problems while delivering a set of features that will enhance and maximize your practice time. The System consists of the ST9 Personal Studio (the control unit), a Pickup Mute, a locking cable, and earphones. The step-up ST5 Silent Brass Performance Studio adds an array of effects plus practice tools and features that guarantee to make your woodshedding time a downright pleasure. Let's look at the System piece by piece.
The Mute resembles a conventional straight mute. There are specific models for a number of brass instruments including trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. The mute houses a microphone that connects to the module via a cable with a screw-on connector at the mute end and a standard mini-plug on the other.
The signal from the mute's microphone is processed by the ST9 Studio (or ST5 Performance Studio) which then feeds the signal to you through the earphones. This direct connection between the instrument's bell and the musician's ears means you can more easily concentrate on your articulation and tone without any of the self-consciousness that often accompanies audible practice.
The Studio's simple controls consist of a volume knob and echo switch. Connections are equally straightforward. The aux in jack lets you combine external sources such as CD and cassette players so you practice along with your favorite music. The input jack connects to the mute for practice or to an instrument microphone for performance. Likewise, the output jack can be connected to headphones for private practice or to a sound system when you're ready to share your playing with the world. A handy belt loop strap is also included so you can be totally mobile when the spirit moves you.
For the musician seeking extensive practice tools and more sonic flexibility, Yamaha offers the ST5 Performance Studio. It incorporates an auto tuner that can be set to match the instrument's transposition and desired pitch calibration from A=438Hz to A=445Hz. Once you've set the parameters, the tuner automatically detects the note being played and indicates the degree to which you are sharp or flat.
The ST5 also boasts 32 effects including delay, chorus, flanger, filter, auto wah, overdrive, distortion, pitch shifting, limiter, and more. When you're working on rhythmic skills you'll find the onboard metronome with 34 different time signatures in four different subdivision patterns a boon. The ST5 also offers ten different drum patterns ranging from an eight-beat shuffle to funk to bossa nova and samba patterns.
The built-in phrase trainer is a huge help when you're attempting to nail difficult passages. Record a phrase that's up to 16 seconds long from either an external source or your own instrument. You can then play it back repeatedly and even slow down the phrase without affecting the pitch. Incidentally, there's an aux key function that transposes the sound received from external CD/MD players so you can play along with recorded music in just about any key you want, regardless of the song's original key.
Yamaha has designed the ST5's backlit display so that it's highly legible, even in dim stage lighting. A large Value dial gives you quick access to a total of 100 effects presets with 50 of them being user-configurable. You can save all your favorite settings and recall them instantly with a quick twist of the Value dial, making the ST5 and invaluable performance tool when you want to vary your sound.
All in all, Yamaha's Silent Brass family of gear represents not only a comprehensive solution to the challenges that practice presents, but also a tool for enhancing and expanding your performance possibilities.
Giardinelli Trumpets
Giardinelli Trumpets
The new kids on the block can really play.
By Julien Gaultier
Giardinelli is hardly a new name. The company has been around for decades, serving musicians as a source for instruments and accessories through its famous New York music store and the catalogs it mails to teachers and musicians across the country. Since the late '40s, Giardinelli has also manufactured a line of brass mouthpieces that have earned fame and favor among professional musicians.
Giardinelli's Professional Trumpets What is new is the Giardinelli trumpet. It's surprising that Giardinelli didn't expand into trumpets years ago. The other trumpet companies make mouthpieces, so it seems only logical that a mouthpiece company would expand into making trumpets. Yet the first Giardinelli model made its debut less than a year ago.
The goal
Essentially what Giardinelli was looking for in its trumpet line was quality at a low price, which is a simple and noble idea, but not easy to achieve in the real world. Well-made instruments are expensive for real reasons—more costly materials and more handwork, for example. Since Giardinelli is both manufacturer and retailer, it can cut costs by eliminating the middleman, but this alone wouldn't achieve the low pricing Giardinelli intended.
The key was to find a place where high-quality instruments could be made for relatively lower cost. Instead of turning to Asia, where many instruments are produced these days, Giardinelli went to the Czech Republic and chose a factory in the town of Hradec Kralove that had been producing brass instruments since the 1840s. It had a pool of skilled craftsmen, and the factory had been modernized to incorporate state-of-the-art computer-controlled machine tools into its production processes. It could be streamlined and consistent, yet had the eyes and hands of experienced craftsmen to see that quality was maintained. Adding to all this was a Czech economy that made production costs low by world standards.
The process
After negotiating a partnering agreement and developing a working relationship with the Czechs, Giardinelli set about designing trumpets that would meet their standards. They worked with the Czechs to create prototypes, tested them with the help of numerous professional musicians, then returned to the drawing board for further refinements. They wanted traditional European-style instruments that performed substantially above their price ranges, yet could be sold for musician-friendly prices. The first new Giardinelli trumpets meet both of these goals admirably.
Currently three Giardinelli models have been introduced: the student GTR 312, an intermediate-to-pro GTR 512, and the master level GTR 812. Here I want to focus on the first two because they have the greatest relevancy to the greatest number of trumpeters.
Click to Enlarge The GTR 312
The GTR 312 is an exceptional student horn. Giardinelli especially wanted its student model to have real quality. They wanted it to be a horn that would help students grow, not hold them back. Too often new players end up with instruments they have to fight and overcome while they are learning, so they don't develop as fast and freely as they could. Giardinelli wanted a student horn that was easy to blow, with good tone and fast and sure valve action; and it had to be tough enough to take occasional rough handling. It also had to be affordable. The GTR 312 fulfills all these requirements beautifully. It is priced to make parents, pay-their-own-way students, and program directors smile.
The GTR 312 is simple but its quality is excellent. It lacks a second water key and does away with fancy cap buttons. But the key features are right: stainless steel pistons, nickel trim (including plated top and bottom caps, finger buttons, and water key), and a lacquer finish that gives it the look of a more expensive instrument. Another nice feature on all of the GTR trumpets is the artfully engraved bell. Engraving is cosmetic, but it is usually reserved for more expensive horns. I like it on the student model because it will encourage pride of ownership.
Click to Enlarge The GTR 512
This horn takes a big step up in features. It's a trumpet that advanced students will love and most professionals will find impressive. Giardinelli touts it as a professional-quality instrument at an intermediate price, and the GTR 512 lives up to this hype quite well. It builds upon the virtues of the student model with heavier bracing, a 1st slide saddle, two water keys, mother-of-pearl cap buttons, rose brass mouthpipe and slide crooks, and impeccable craftsmanship from top to bottom including perfectly hand-lapped stainless pistons.
Like the GTR 312 it is traditional in style, responsive and free-blowing in all registers, with a rich, full tone that is quite dark. And though it is a very capable instrument, it too is accessibly priced—about half of what many comparable instruments fetch. It is available in gold, silver, and black, and also in both silver and lacquer with a rose brass bell. The rose brass gives it a warmer and even richer tone which makes it an especially effective instrument for jazz or as a second instrument for use in certain symphonic contexts.
Both the GTR 312 and the GTR 512 are excellent horns, especially for their low prices. These are instruments that can give program directors real advantages: better quality, lower price, longer life with fewer repairs, and a noticeable improvement in the trumpet section's sound. And together these two horns can cover the full sweep of a serious trumpeter's career. Giardinelli trumpets may be the new kids on the block now, but it won't be long before they make a highly regarded name for themselves.
Hands-On Product Review: MusicPad Pro Plus
Freehand Musicpad Pro Plus Version 4.0 Electronic Sheet Music Display
Hands-On Product Review: MusicPad Pro Plus
Sheet music for the digital age
By Christine Martin
MusicPad Pro Plus
Freehand Systems is revolutionizing the way musicians look at sheet music with MusicPad Pro Plus—a portable tablet that stores all your sheet music and more. A touchscreen about the size of a piece of paper lets you make marks and notations right on the page of music. It comes with software to organize your digital music portfolio and to transfer scores between your computer and the tablet. Musician’s Friend shipped me the latest-and-greatest MusicPad Pro Plus Version 4.0 to review.
Inside the box I found the touch-screen pad with a stylus, power pack, 128MB external USB flash drive, USB cable, software installation CD, and the optional footpedal. There are two USB ports on the MusicPad tablet: one to transfer music from your PC or Mac and one to attach external devices like the USB memory module or a USB wireless device. There’s a video out, a jack to connect the footpedal, and an audio out. MusicPad Pro Version 4.0 also comes equipped with premium tools, which you can unlock with an optional $49.95 product key from freehandsystems.com. These tools include wireless networking, a metronome, pitch pipe, and an audio player for MP3s, plus additional pen colors and annotation tools.
Impressive organization
After installing MusicPad Manager software on my computer, I downloaded some music from freehandmusic.com’s selection of nearly 75,000 scores, scanned in my sheet music library, and imported music files from Sibelius and Finale directly into MusicPad Pro. Then I transferred my music library onto the MusicPad via USB and all my music was ready to go anywhere!
As a band director and gigging musician, my musical life is always busy and in the past it has been a huge headache to organize and manage all the scores I needed. I took the MusicPad along on a busy Friday with band practice in the morning and a gig at night and I was amazed at how much the MusicPad helped me get organized.
Getting ready on Thursday, I created playlists of all the different scores I needed at each event, so I could bring them up in order when I needed them. It was easy to find the scores I was looking for with the familiar computer-like controls, the touchscreen, and the browse capabilities, which let me set the search criteria for file, title, composer, instrument, date, or size, and add/delete more levels as needed. I could also sort search results by simply tapping the top of the column, plus I could save the search to pull it up again later with the QuickFind tab. Once I found the score I wanted, it was easy to add to a playlist with the tap of an arrow or just by dragging-and-dropping it.
Next, I tried out MusicPad Pro’s annotation capabilities and was really impressed. There are plenty of tools to annotate a score any way you want—you can add handwritten or typed notes; highlight sections; and add notes, rests, and more, all in different colors. You can even zoom in on the score for precise annotations. There are a variety of eraser tools—so you can erase your annotations, marks that were picked up when you scanned the score, everything but the staff lines, or everything including the staff lines. You can even hide annotations and turn them back on easily.
I also marked specific musical passages by adding rehearsal marks and Teleport Pads at convenient intervals throughout the pages. Teleport Pads let me jump to a specific location in the score by simply tapping on them, making it easy to navigate quickly during rehearsals and performances.
MusicPad Pro Plus
MusicPad Pro Plus
Scores to go
At rehearsal on Friday, I used the video out with a portable projector to project the scores so my pupils could follow along and see the annotations I had made. The versatile page-turning abilities of the MusicPad came in handy and I definitely didn’t miss fumbling through my papers. There are six ways to turn the page with the MusicPad: touch the right half of the screen to turn forward and the left to turn back; or use the toolbar, page navigation bar, rehearsal marks navigation bar, Teleport Pads, or the footpedal. You can even record repeats and cuts, so the MusicPad knows where to go in the score when a repeat appears or to skip a section where there’s a cut.
Later that night at the gig, the lighting was really low and red, so I changed the MusicPad’s color and the brightness of the background to match. It was far more aesthetically pleasing than my usual music stand and light and much more legible. I also switched the view from portrait to landscape orientation. In portrait mode, I could set the score to display look-ahead pages, which show the bottom of the current page with the top of the next page. The landscape mode also offers look-ahead pages and let me view two pages side by side, which I prefer for performance.
I was thoroughly impressed by MusicPad Pro. I can spend a lot less time managing my music library and more time and energy doing what I love to do. The productivity gains are similar to that with a computer. Can you imagine living without a computer these days? Well, now that I’ve used the MusicPad, I can’t imagine life without it either. I will never again forget a piece of music or have a page blow in the wind. And I’ll never have to cart around piles of music or deal with turning pages by hand in mid-performance! MusicPad Pro Plus is the ultimate tool for any musician who works with sheet music.
Features and Specs:
* 12.1" TFT LCD backlit, low-glare color touchscreen
* Resolution: 1024 x 768
* 128MB external USB flash drive
* 32MB internal flash memory
* Video/audio out
* AC power and rechargeable battery
* 2 USB ports (1 host, 1 device)
* Built-in jack for optional footpedal
* Size: 13.3" x 9.9" x 1.8" (just over 4 lbs.)
* One-year limited warranty
Jupiter XO Series Trumpets
Jupiter XO Series Trumpets
Custom professional horns that move Jupiter into a higher orbit.
By Len Bixler
Jupiter has become well-established and highly regarded in the school instrument field. After building instruments for other well-known brands for fifty years, Jupiter introduced its own instruments in the US twenty years ago. The first Jupiter trumpets were less-than-perfect but highly affordable instruments for the schools-on-a-budget market. But Jupiter then began methodically improving its production processes and the quality of its instruments. It recently was granted ISO Certification for meeting the highest international standards in manufacturing quality. These days, Jupiter consistently produces excellent student and intermediate instruments that are chosen for their musical character and quality. This high level of quality combined with competitive prices has made Jupiter a major player in the band biz worldwide.
Jupiter XO Series Trumpets
Now, emboldened by this success, Jupiter has made its move into the professional instrument arena where upstart newcomers tend to be eaten by lions. Introduced last year, the Tribune XO Series trumpets are Jupiter's first fully professional-level trumpets. Will they find a place among the big names? My opinion, having given several XO models thorough inspections and tryouts, is that in time they will. These are exceptional horns and compare well with accepted top-name professional trumpets.
Trumpets tell the truth
It won't be easy. Professional trumpet players are a tough crowd. First of all, they've already found the horns they consider best. They're also impervious to the allure of a lower price (the Tribune XOs are priced a notch under their main rivals). Nor can you fool them with hype. Playing a trumpet is an intimate and personal activity. Players know when they've got a horn they like, know when it performs at a high level, and know especially if it has a sound and feel they like.
The Tribune XO will have to overcome doubts that a maker of student-level horns can turn out a serious professional instrument, but as more and more players experience how the Tribune XO plays, it will earn their respect and acceptance.
The variables
Jupiter hasn't been timid about this upward move. Where most companies would produce a single model with limited options and put it out there to see if it flies, Jupiter has created a full custom line with a serious set of options and extras. All the Tribune XOs have the same basic design but the options turn this design into many models. You can choose between two bore sizes, reversed or standard leadpipes in a choice of rose brass or sterling silver. The bells come in a choice of three tapers and in rose or yellow brass. You can even opt for a vertical stop on the third valve tuning slide instead of the standard horizontal.
In addition to these options, the horns come with both rounded or elliptical main slides and two sets of valve springs of differing strengths come as standard equipment. These add two more ways you can alter the instrument to suit your preferences on top of the built-in options. For a first professional series, Jupiter has given the player a wealth of choices.
The horns come with two sets of valve buttons: 24k goldplated and a second set with pearl inlays. The XOs also come in a woodframed case that seems very sturdy and is appropriately plush.
A true professional
Terms such as "professional" and "intermediate" can be used fairly loosely, and often a professional model is really an upgraded intermediate. There's no defined line, but there are several primary features that definitively qualify a horn as a professional. The first is a one-piece, hand-hammered bell. Another is two-piece valve casings. These are features that require more skill, more time, and more cost to produce, and they have major effects on the instrument's sound and playing feel. The Tribune XOs boast both of these features.
Another measure of a pro level instrument is quality workmanship. Looking over the XOs with a magnifying glass, checking the joints, the soldering, the fit of the slides and such, I couldn't find a single flaw. The valves were lapped to perfection. The slides were perfectly fitted and moved smoothly. Every detail bespoke quality: brass valve guides, Monel pistons, and a silverplated finish rather than lacquer. In every detail and feature, the XOs rate as truly professional-quality instruments.
Beautiful to eye and ear
It's important to look the part and the Tribune XOs definitely have a look and style befitting their pro status. All have a shining silverplated finish accented by 24k gold fittings, valve caps, and buttons. It's just the right amount of gold trim for understated flash. Tasty and uptown, appropriate for any musical setting or venue.
The ultimate consideration, of course, is how the horn plays and sounds. All the right features don't mean a thing if ain't got that swing. I found both of the Tribune XO models I sampled wonderful to play. The version I liked best had a reversed sterling leadpipe. With the rounded main slide on the horn, it was as free-blowing as any horn I've ever played. It had a rich, dark tone. The second model had the standard leadpipe in rose brass and a yellow brass bell. It was clearer and brighter—a more conventional tone that would serve well in any musical context. Both horns were quite facile, responsive, balanced, and alive. Faced with demanding passages, these are horns that will get it done.
No one horn will be perfect for every player no matter how good it is, but the Tribune XO trumpets should find their share of players who will choose them and forsake all others. If you have a chance to give a Tribune XO a try, do it. You may be one of those who land on Jupiter.
Musician's Friend Clearance Center
Musician's Friend Clearance Center
At our bulging Clearance Center we've unearthed $5,879,950 worth of overstocks, returns, refurbs, and discontinued gear. To find homes for it all, we've slashed prices—in many cases well below our original cost. Below you'll see just a small sampling of what's on hand. Shop now for the best selection. And check back regularly; we're constantly finding more buried treasure.
At our bulging Clearance Center we've unearthed $5,879,950 worth of overstocks, returns, refurbs, and discontinued gear. To find homes for it all, we've slashed prices—in many cases well below our original cost. Below you'll see just a small sampling of what's on hand. Shop now for the best selection. And check back regularly; we're constantly finding more buried treasure.
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