Farewell to an old friend

In my continuing quest to find a good home for some of my excess possessions, I donated my old trumpet to the Boys & Girls Club last week.

It was a Holton that my Dad had bought for me when I was in college. I was a music major, and an upperclassman was selling the trumpet he had learned on as a kid. He had taken good care or it: no dents although the finish was pretty pitted. I figured I could use it for brass class (we had to learn to play all the instruments, of course). I also figured I would have other uses for it since the trumpet is a lot more useful for church music than the horn, which was my major instrument.

By 'horn', of course, I mean the French horn-- horn is it's official designation, according to the International Horn Society, although the term horn is used by wind musicians as a synonym for 'ax', meaning one's instrument. For the uninformed, the French horn (or horn) actually originated in Germany or what is more properly the Czech Republic and it is that pretty thing wound into a circle with a big bell that you see on Christmas cards a lot.

But getting back to the trumpet, I started my musical career on the trumpet in the sixth grade. My mother had a violin and my dad had a trumpet (actually it was a cornet, but cornets work the same as trumpets), so I had my choice. I picked the trumpet.

I took lessons from the man who came over from the music store. Actually I sounded pretty bad, as I could never get the hang of producing a good cornet sound or tone. I have documentary proof, since we made a tape that Christmas -- which I still have a copy of -- for my grandparents who lived in Iowa.

The summer after sixth grade I went up to the junior high, met the Band Director and auditioned for the band program. I am not sure whether it was because I sounded so bad on the cornet or because he saw hidden talents, but he decided I should switch to horn. It was probably because he needed horns and he happened to have a brand, shiny new Conn single F French horn that the school had just bought, which suited me fine. It was a whole lot harder to play but I have always liked a challenge.

So the cornet went back to my dad, who has always played it in church on occasion. In later years after he bought me the trumpet we sometimes played duets. We had a standing engagement for the Easter Sunrise Service, generally outside in 40 degree temperatures. When I moved away I occasionally played in church. When the Community Band started I sometimes filled in on third cornet when they needed someone (either that or bass drum).

Along the way I fixed the instrument up some, had it re-lacquered so it looked almost brand new. I also bought a newer case since the old one was falling apart and had that moldy-mildew smell that old instrument cases get.

Unfortunately, I can no longer play my instruments: the hands don't work and I have no stamina. I decided to sell the trumpet. Then I heard about the Boys & Girls Club program, and that they were asking for donations of instruments. I hope it has found a good home.

Here is some advice for the kid who gets my trumpet (or any instrument):

• Treat it with respect. Oil it frequently, wipe it off with a soft cloth, and do not leave it on chairs.
• Remember that the goal is to play music, not the trumpet.
• Find a good private teacher if you can.
• Always make beautiful sounds: the two things that set a musician apart and make for fine ensemble playing are beautiful tone quality and solid rhythms.

Note: No, I am not selling my horn at this point. The plan is to be buried with it like the ancient Vikings.