Posted by Robert on August 22, 2002 at 21:55:47:
In Reply to: vmi 6/4 and college posted by pot on August 22, 2002 at 19:19:38:
I have to disagree with the above posts. I believe you would be better suited with a good 4/4 size horn to start. There are so many people out there with 5/4 and 6/4 horns in colleges playing in 50 piece collegiate orchestras and using those tanks in quintets. It's like driving a 18 wheeler in through a park. It can be done, but it isn't always the best idea. I personally play what many people call a small 4/4 horn, a 1968 Bill Bell model Meinl-Weston. I use it for a 60 piece orchestra, 30 piece brass band, quintets, quartets, solo, you name it. The horn is plenty big enough for anything out there, barring 90-110 piece orchestras which 99.5% of us do not play in on a regular basis.
But don't take just my word for it, talk to your professor, and think about what type of playing you look to do. Remember, it's easier to produce a big sound on a smaller horn than the other way around.
My $.02
Robert Coulter