Where to go from here?

[iMav]

Well, I was too haha. I thought I was crazy and I really enjoy how Medium bore responds, but I feel like I just cant "push" the sound as much as I want.

Check out this guy. Former principal soloist with the “President’s Own” US Marine band. Willson 2900 w/medium shank and the stock Willson mouthpiece (51D-ish).

James D. Thornton
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...DbFenvAJPDEl7k

[mbrooke]

Yeah. But how much of that is the mullet?

Mike

[iMav]

Yeah. But how much of that is the mullet?

30-35% max.

[spkissane]

One important distinction to make, as iMav pointed out, is that the size of the mouthpiece receiver is completely unrelated to the bore size of the horn. The Willson 2900 is as much of a large bore instrument as all of the other models you mentioned. A medium shank mouthpiece receiver will feel different from a large shank, sure, but the size of the tubing in the instrument isn't affected by that.

The MOST important step right now, in my opinion, is to pinpoint what exactly you want to achieve in your playing that your 2900 isn't allowing you to. Figure out your "ideal" (by that I mean ideal sound concept, ideal "feel", ideal slotting, response, etc. etc.) and compare it to what you have now. That may or may not be the instrument itself - in all likelihood it's a number of factors - the horn, the mouthpiece, the strength of your chops and lungs, your development as a musician. But it's really crucial, I think, when thinking of a total equipment change, to figure out what you want first. Once you do that, play, play, play. Get your hands on the makes and models of euphonium you're interested in and play them, record yourself playing them, have someone whose ears you trust hear you play them. Then you can decide what horn gets you closest to your ideal.

Do you study with Jason Casanova? Definitely get his opinion and guidance, as that will be exponentially more valuable than anything people on the internet who don't know you and your playing can offer.

Good luck!!!

[Baridude]

One important distinction to make, as iMav pointed out, is that the size of the mouthpiece receiver is completely unrelated to the bore size of the horn. The Willson 2900 is as much of a large bore instrument as all of the other models you mentioned. A medium shank mouthpiece receiver will feel different from a large shank, sure, but the size of the tubing in the instrument isn't affected by that.

I think that is what I intended to say, apologies to both you and iMav. I think I had confused the feel of the shank for the actual bore of the horn. (I also didn't know that the bore size of the 2900 was larger then the other horns I was looking at until iMav brought it up)

The MOST important step right now, in my opinion, is to pinpoint what exactly you want to achieve in your playing that your 2900 isn't allowing you to. Figure out your "ideal" (by that I mean ideal sound concept, ideal "feel", ideal slotting, response, etc. etc.) and compare it to what you have now. That may or may not be the instrument itself - in all likelihood it's a number of factors - the horn, the mouthpiece, the strength of your chops and lungs, your development as a musician. But it's really crucial, I think, when thinking of a total equipment change, to figure out what you want first. Once you do that, play, play, play. Get your hands on the makes and models of euphonium you're interested in and play them, record yourself playing them, have someone whose ears you trust hear you play them. Then you can decide what horn gets you closest to your ideal.

Yeah I've spent a lot of time over the last year or so trying out a variety of horns, and I intend to go to more conferences and whatnot over the next year to try more out. I'm glad this turned out to be a bit more of a reality check to reflect more on my playing. I do have some pinpoint gripes with the horn, like the intonation (more of a skill issue but), and the sound concept that comes with the horn. I read on another thread with Mr. Werden saying something along the lines of "the 2900 plays well if you accept the sound it gives" or something along those lines, and I don't think that I really am loving the Wilson sound anymore.

Do you study with Jason Casanova? Definitely get his opinion and guidance, as that will be exponentially more valuable than anything people on the internet who don't know you and your playing can offer.

Yes! I've spoken with him about it over the last year, and he wants me to stick with this set up for a little bit longer. I'm divided on it because I'm not 100% loving the horn I play but also its a LOT of money.

[TheJH]

Yeah I've spent a lot of time over the last year or so trying out a variety of horns, and I intend to go to more conferences and whatnot over the next year to try more out. I'm glad this turned out to be a bit more of a reality check to reflect more on my playing. I do have some pinpoint gripes with the horn, like the intonation (more of a skill issue but), and the sound concept that comes with the horn. I read on another thread with Mr. Werden saying something along the lines of "the 2900 plays well if you accept the sound it gives" or something along those lines, and I don't think that I really am loving the Wilson sound anymore.

I don't know if you have tried the large shank Willsons (2950 TA(-UK) and 2960 TA(-UK)), but they have slightly different intonation to the 2900 (barely any flat notes, so most issues can be resolved by pulling some slides a bit) and a slightly different sound that might be more to your liking.

[Pat]

If you've got the money and inclination, you can have any horn that your heart desires. Unfortunately, money often lags behind inclination. Good luck in your search!

[euphlight]

I forget when it was when I studied at Minot State University, Thornton switched to using a Brian Bowman BB1 mouthpiece.

[iMav]

I forget when it was when I studied at Minot State University, Thornton switched to using a Brian Bowman BB1 mouthpiece.

Interesting. I haven’t seen him in person since the summer of 1988.

I remember when I played a YEP321, he leant me a spare Willson mouthpiece that he had “sanded down” with fine steel wool to fit a small shank receiver. (Said he would just work on it with the steel wool while watching TV. LOL)