[primo_violino]

brass instruments are a different game. String instruments apparently get better with age. Brass instruments get worse with age. Lifespan of a pro brass instrument is less than a decade - the sound really does drop off. As the sound drops off (for whatever reason), the player adapts to it, since it's not an even drop off across the frequency range. This is reflected in the resale value of the instruments. Most pros replace their brass every 3-5 years, if not less.

Picking up a brand new brass instrument for a top player and playing it perfectly is totally logical. The big surprise would be for the trumpeter to pick up an old instrument and play it just as well...

[ErrantX]

Im told by several pro's this is an old wives tale. Apparently a brass instrument does change tone over time because of the corrosion but it is something a good player can adapt to with, say, an hour or 2 practice (my Brother owns a very old Cornet which is considered quite valuable and an extremely good instrument - his colleagues often ask to borrow it for concerts etc.)

It's also been well tested that string instruments don't appear to get better with age :) at least not subjectively to expert ears (in various double blind tests).

[RiderOfGiraffes]

Just so I'm clear about this, it appears that you believe several old pros about brass instruments, but you don't believe several old pros about violins going to sleep.

Is that right?

[ErrantX]

A better way to put it is I've heard both sides of the story; and one strikes me as more logical :)

I'm sure there are lots of links to habit, the "feeling" of the instrument and some affects of ageing. But I don't see a lot of scientific evidence to show a real change in the instrument.

I dont consider that a bad thing: who cares if it s physical or psychological - it's all part of being a great musician and people enjoying it! Every subject has it's mythology.

[wglb]

I think you are off base. My daughter has played cello for quite a few years. She reports that it needs to be played regularly or the sound changes. The music store where she bought this invites violin and cello players to come and play instruments in storage to keep them in shape.

This is not bunk.

[primo_violino]

that cornet is the exception, and helps illustrate my point - it's about a new instrument being immediately playable, and older ones needing to be 'learnt'.

> It's also been well tested that string instruments don't appear to get better with age :) at least not subjectively to expert ears (in various double blind tests).

which is why my original post says 'apparently'. They get better in terms of antique value, and some differences will happen to the instrument over time - which may make it better, and may make it worse. the antique value is something that really p's me off - the sound quality seems to have no impact on price, while antique value has loads.

Where are these tests anyway?

blind tests are always a bit of a waste of time - you get a player to play 5 different instruments - the one that most closely matches the playing 'profile' of their normal instrument is the one that wins... (assuming they use their normal bow, and set of strings, and that the sound post is set up correctly for their playing...)

[durin42]

Most professional brass players I know personally try and hang onto an instrument for a decade or more. I know people in multiple major orchestras, and they all have instruments they love and won't part with, rather than cycling through hardware often.