I'm happy to find you on Steemit. Although I made my living as a scientist, performance and listening to classical music was a big part of my life, and I became particularly interested in period instruments. No one else I knew had even heard of the art.
I played trumpet, and back in the 1970's I discovered Edward H. Tarr and wanted to learn to play the baroque trumpet. I was fortunate to meet him on two occasions when he toured in the USA. But how could I find a baroque trumpet in rural Kentucky? I knew of reproduced instruments made in Europe, but only one dealer in New York sold them and I couldn't afford one.
My determination was resolute so I made several instruments myself from disassembled valve trumpets. I learned to play it and became good enough to perform in public on my homemade reproductions! In my circles, I was the only-lonely musician who was interested in learning the technique. I knew it was cool before my peers. I had set of three matched instruments, but nobody to play duets or trios. I did play solos with a local chamber group and at many churches, weddings, and even a funeral. I especially liked performing with a pipe organist, who was very enthusiastic and supportive.
I invented my own tuning hole configuration that only required two, instead of the three- or four-hole systems adopted by the established craftsmen. My system even allowed for a perfect B-natural, which is a challenge even for the pros. I contacted them and offered to trade my secret if they would fabricate a professional instrument to prove it's utility, but never got a response.
Eventually I stopped playing valved trumpets altogether and went totally "baroque"-pun intended 😉
Of course now period instruments and performances are well known and popular. I was ahead of my time, I guess.
My passion was evident when I was in high school and I wrote my first research paper in English class on the subject. I recently posted it on Steemit as a tribute to my teacher and lifelong friend who passed away last month: https://steemit.com/life/@qiyi/my-first-high-school-research-paper-trumpets-of-the-renaissance-and-baroque
I look forward to your future posts as a new follower, and thank you for your letting me tell my story.
Sincerely,
Rick, @qiyi