Got my 1st Trumpet... and I'm ready for opening day!!

[SteelerFan]

...for spring season 2018??? Humbling, is an understatement...LOL

I WILL conquer this. I mean, come on... it's a wooden tube with a tiny, tiny hole in the mouthpiece, right? But no matter how hard I blow in it - it doesn't sound turkey at all? 

Being a goose hunter that blows a short reed, I understand back pressure and air mechanics - but this is a whole new world! Like peddling a bike backwards. Thanks to a few post here, I have a ready-made video library of YouTube instruction from the gifted folks like Del Crow & Marlin Watkins.

Since this was my first - and despite as much as I appreciate the artisan work of some of these trumpet makers, i elected to go with a "hunter grade" trumpet from a reputable call maker. I'm sure I'll upgrade at some point, and I get the whole concept of being only as "good as your gear". But I'm also a realist that understands B.B. King can play any guitar, but not everybody can sound like B.B. King  on a guitar, if you know what I mean?

All this to say - kudos to those of you that have mastered this call, and play it well. Since I've reached (and passed) the 1/2 century mark in years on this earth, I find myself appreciating more and more the nostalgia of this great adventure of turkey hunting. And, hey... until I get it mastered myself, I'll look cool wearing it around my neck in the woods. (just don't ask to hear it!)

Lessons learned so far:

- it's not as big as I thought it would be
- making a tight seal on the lips / mouthpiece is crucial (press tight)
- concentrate more on drawing air into and through that tiny hole in the mouthpiece, not so much the WHOLE trumpet
- walk, don't run. Be happy with simple sounds first. Patience
- don't throw it against the wall or out the window of the truck
- don't read any more threads on OldGobbler that mention any other types of calls...lol

[troutfisher13111]

I'm in the same boat buddy. This is my third attempt at learning how to run a trumpet. Unfortunately, the one I ordered came in cracked due to a rapid weather change so I will soon be trumpetless for a bit. The maker is sending me a new one, but wants this one back. Right now I  have a piece of painters tape over the crack to make it air tight. I am pretty happy with the sounds I am getting, but have a long way to go. Del's YouTube videos have been a HUGE help.

[Spitten and drummen]

I just want to say you are definately on the right track with that attitude. I am by far no expert on a trumpet call. I bought one in may of last year and started playing with it. I have my mind made up that I will kill a bird with it this year. Every single day I have handled it and practiced. It helped that I was familiar with the concept from using a wing bone off and on over the years. When I was 12 I killed a bird sacking on a 4" long piece of river cane. He was a 2 year old and was Destin to die that day I guess lol. I believe I sound plenty good enough with yelps and clucking to get it done. However , I am on a personal quest to master it. I have a long way to go , but I'm alot closers now than a year ago. Hang with it and good luck.

[mgm1955]

The hard work will be worth it!

[chefrific]

I too am new to running trumpets but I'm getting the hang of it. I also started out having to use a lot of lip pressure but I've found that is not the case. Once I got down my hand hold and metering my air flow with either my middle finger or index finger I found that I could relax my lips and jaws. Makes all the difference.  Watch Marlin Watkins 3 part series on YouTube called "yelper instructional series" . Hang in there.  You'll get it.
Link to part one of series:
https://youtu.be/momZ825uunU

[bullet355]

I also have been bitten by the trumpet bug this year. I picked up a Cocobolo/Buffalo horn trumpet from Del and Billy in Nashville this year. I hope by next year I'll be good enough to hunt with it. The videos from Del and Marlin have been very helpful and I can actually make a decent yelp after fooling with it for a minute but I am having a hard time getting a good sharp sounding cluck.

[SteelerFan]

I too am new to running trumpets but I'm getting the hang of it. I also started out having to use a lot of lip pressure but I've found that is not the case. Once I got down my hand hold and metering my air flow with either my middle finger or index finger I found that I could relax my lips and jaws. Makes all the difference.  Watch Marlin Watkins 3 part series on YouTube called "yelper instructional series" . Hang in there.  You'll get it.
Link to part one of series:
https://youtu.be/momZ825uunU

Yep.... figuring that out! Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy! Stopping, and watching the step by step videos and starting over is helping. 

[troutfisher13111]

I'm in the same boat guys. I just got my first a few days ago. I am bound and  determined to hunt with one come May!

[OldSchool]

Yep, I've been using trumpets and wingbones for years and I expect to become good at both any day now.

Bob

[davisd9]

They are a call you can always improve one. KP helped me learn one handed calling with it not long ago


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