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

Started by SteelerFan, March 07, 2016, 08:25:21 PM

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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!) ;D

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.
" RANGERS LEAD THE WAY"
"QUEEN OF BATTLE FOLLOW ME " ~ INFANTRY
"DEATH FROM ABOVE " ~ AIRBORNE

mgm1955


chefrific

#4

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

Quote from: chefrific on March 08, 2016, 07:01:54 AM

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.  :icon_thumright:

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
Call 'em close, It's the most fun you'll ever have doing the right thing.

davisd9

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


Sent from the Strut Zone
"A turkey hen speaks when she needs to speak, and says what she needs to say, when she needs to say it. So every word a turkey speaks is for a reason." - Rev Zach Farmer