Quote:

Be aware that BIAB does not support Cb, B#, E# or Fb.




Thank you Matt. This will not likely be the last stupid question I ask here. There would have been a time when I'd have been ashamed to ask.

Please, if you don't mind my bending your ear ...

I played trumpet when I was a boy and it was my heartfelt desire (the only thing I could think of or talk about actually), to become the next Maynard Ferguson. He was my ONLY idol and I would have done ANYTHING (and often DID), to attend his next concert. If the man was going to perform within 300 miles, my best friend and my band director (his father), would see to it that we went to see him. I played baseball and I played it exceptionally well for such a young player. Even before I made it to high-school, people said I'd make it pro some day. I had a chance to attend one of the premiere athletic schools in Michigan -- Mom and Dad let ME choose -- Instead, I attended a school renown for their music program. Lots of people dogged my parents for that decision.

Four years later after graduation, I joined Uncle Sam's Army Band (I was sooooo excited). While everyone else was going off to college I was going to learn to play like Maynard! I was certain of it. But, before I was able to make good on my Maynard impression at band camp, I would literally brake my back! I had no business jumping out of airplanes, but I fell in love with it. I then found out from the Army doctors that I had spina-bifida -- from birth -- and this explained a lot to me and my family about why I had occasional bouts with back troubles and breathing problems in my youth. Needless to say, Uncle Sam didn't want to take the chance ... a week later I was home and wondering what I'd do for a living ... Music was far from my mind.

For years, daydreaming and reminiscing about 'the good 'ole days', I managed to work around my physical obstructions until just a few years ago when complications with diabetes kept me from standing or walking without severe back pain -- Sometimes I was bedridden for days. I could see that there were times that 'my problems' could be dangerous for others; not just myself (i.e. driving, etc). And so, I have been either setting in a chair or in bed ever since. Seven years have past since 'disability'.

I have always been afraid to return to trumpet playing -- Not just for the memories, but for fear of losing wind and causing more trouble for myself -- My wife gets deathly afraid. Until recently ... I received a 'gesture' from my wife (a Christmas gift actually); Rather, a very large hint or 'motivator' if you will -- Or perhaps even a 'peace treaty'. This was the first trumpet I've had in my hands in over 35 years -- I'd been given a custom-restored 1966 Olds & Son. Beautiful!

Then (I guess it must have been when I started showing some signs that I would try to play again), She went that extra mile (possibly two) -- She threw away the old guitar I had been plucking on for the last 20 years or so (which I promptly argued with her ... but only momentarily). She walked out of the bedroom with a 'new' guitar. Yep, brand spaking new! In less than a week's time, I'd received a new / restored trumpet and a new guitar (with all the bells and whistles).

My son-in-law had put a bracket on my living-room wall two days before Christmas and I was furious at him -- I'd just had new drywall and paint done to that wall! Turns out, I didn't recognize what the bracket was for ... It looked to me like another one of those brackets that your wife hangs her plate collection on ... Boy was I steamed! I'm so tired of all these plates hanging everywhere!

So, here two days before Christmas, I'd been given an opportunity to figure out for myself what was going on. That bracket on the wall turned out to be the hanger to display my new guitar!

I've only been at it a couple of months now, but things are improving. I love BiaB! Now I get to play WITH Maynard and nobody can argue otherwise! There are times I daydream -- I can only imagine what might have happened, had I been able to use today's technology almost 40 years ago! Boy, these kids today are gonna' be Super-Maynard's before their 12th birthday! It's been a miracle to me that I've lived to see it -- and to USE it! I do nothing but have fun now -- I guess that's my job. And, the only audience that matters to me these days are my family -- my wife especially. The only person who ever cried when I played trumpet! Can you imagine that? I made the woman cry! Now I ask ya' ... How many of you guys have ever made a woman cry with your playing?

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time here on this forum to answer my questions. I'm only new to the technology part, the music will come back to me. Forty years ago or so, I would have given you all a run for your money! I'm happy where I'm at now in my music -- I count every day as gravy and so should all of you -- Just don't wait 40 years before you thank the Lord for it!

So, if I tend to ask questions in this forum that you think I should already know (or a 6th-grader should know), I want you to know that I really do NOT understand. The mind's not as sharp as I'd like it to be -- things are happening that I don't have any control over -- I have no other excuse. Thank you for taking me seriously.

I'm long-winded, I know ... I managed to go back to school and I got my degree ... English ... Go figure!

Ike