Since I (and a few others on this list) play a Schmid I thought I'd put in my two pfennings worth. I do like the fact that the Schmid is lightweight, but I do not think it is the lightest out there since Finke's may be a few grams lighter. However I like the light weight because it is just easier and more comfortable to hold. As far as the playing goes if I'm more comfortable with the horn I'll play better - I don't really think it's the other way around. I don't think the lightness of the horn has anything to do with how it plays because everyone is different and there is no way to be objective about that. But, maybe there is some validity to it making the horn easier to hold thus easier to play? I know when I play on anything heavy like a Paxman or a Yamaha for a while, no matter how well they play (and the new Yamaha's are pretty decent I was surprised to find out) I still would rather get more tired due to how heavy the horn is. I like to play off the thigh as much as possible, and with a heavier horn since my muscles aren't used to it that much I would not be able to for very long with a much heavier horn. And playing differences between the lightest Finke and the heavier 668II were not that different to me when I tried them out this summer (although I'd probably go for the Finke). I try to sound like William on whatever horn I play anyway and I hope no horn will ever seriously change that. Besides, no matter how many grams lost here or there or new fangled metals you use unless you get the basics right no horn will really be a miracle.
So, I always felt it was finding the right horn for you because there is no particular horn for everybody's tastes. -William In a message dated 1/22/2006 1:54:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Now, the question may be viewed in another way, namely from the design perspective. Consider Englebert Schmid horns, which are engineered as lightweight as possible. I think it's an equally valid question to ask if a particular horn does what it was designed to do. If so, does it meet ones needs? Whether a particular design meets the needs of players is a matter for the players to say. So, if I may rephrase the question, I am curious to know if people chose their horns for the weight, and why, and what benefit they feel they get from the increased or decreased weight? _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
