Eb soprano thing in brass band

[iiipopes]

My favorite Eb cornet part is the solo theme for the BBC gardening show, Ground Force, which was recorded with the Black Dyke band, and the solo player probably actually played an Eb trumpet instead of the Eb cornet.

[NickJones]

My favorite Eb cornet part is the solo theme for the BBC gardening show, Ground Force, which was recorded with the Black Dyke band, and the solo player probably actually played an Eb trumpet instead of the Eb cornet.

Having played for Dyke around this time ( 1998/99-2002 ) I can't remember if it was Michelle Ibbotson who was on sop at the time am sure Michelle is on the Groundforce recordings and would have played sop not trumpet , Michelle is a fantastic player , most sop players use schilke , yamaha's or the new yam xeno , there are Blackburn sop's which are supposed to be the mutts nuts but at around £8,000 GBP it's a bit pricey for an instrument.

If you want to some examples of top soprano playing , look for recordings made by Desford Colliery in the 1990's ( Steve Stewart amazing trumpet and soprano player) , anything by Alan Wycherley ( fodens band sop player 30 years at the top level never puts a foot wrong and is a genuine fantastic musician)
Nigel Fielding ( grimethorpe colliery 1990's and Black Dyke ( the George Lloyd Albany music for brass cd is amazing)
Kevin Crockford ( grimethorpe , dyke , fairey band) class sound.just listen to the fairey band recording " Enigma from 2002 jaw dropping how good the sop playing is on Dowland suite) .
historically the names from the past who stick out are Charlie Cook ( fodens band 1930's fantastic sound and technique brilliant player) , Emlyn Bryant ( fairey band 1950's) Brian Evans ( cws manchester , Brighouse and Rastrick)

Apart from the 2 lung model Bb tuba's we have to play , sop is the hardest instrument to play in the band at the top level.

[windshieldbug]

One thing that you have to keep in mind is that the modern trumpet (Eb soprano included) is a lot more similar to Eb soprano cornet in bore profile than dissimilar. Not to belabor the mellowing of the orchestral trumpet, but what people call "trumpets" today really are more the cornets of old!