The Heated Trumpet Stand and Combating External Temperature Changes: Solving Intonation Issues for Trumpet Players

Ashley Claire Swanson

doi:10.7273/000006423

This project began after spending many years sitting through frigid football games for marching band and performing in a variety of ensemble and orchestral settings with long breaks and tacets. My intonation would be negatively affected by the varying external temperatures, which in turn impacted the full ensembles in which I participated until my instrument returned to the approximate temperature of human breath, around 86-90 degrees Fahrenheit. I also witnessed marching band competitions in colder weather, where soloists would end up with frozen valves and could not perform. This project was the result of ruminating on this problem and aiming to find an accessible solution, that would create a more seamless transition from rest to performance. Research has been conducted with the Washington State University trumpet professor, Dr. David Turnbull, and the Washington State University trumpet studio. The priority of the design was efficient airflow from the stand through the trumpet itself. The stand is switch operated and rechargeable for the most efficient usage as well as for ease of transportation. While the focus of this project is based around the physical stand, there is an accompanying document that contains an introduction, the history of trumpet intonation, methods that have been attempted to remedy intonation issues, the design and construction process, a collection of data showing the stands efficiency, surveys from study participants, and a bibliography. With the invention of this product, I have brought an accessible method of reducing intonation issues that will allow trumpet players to maintain their intonation and match the ensemble more effectively. The result of this project is a trumpet stand that can easily replace traditional trumpet stands, while providing additional functions that aid in the instrument’s intonation. This design can also serve as a template for heated stands to benefit other brass instruments.

The Heated Trumpet Stand and Combating External Temperature Changes: Solving Intonation Issues for Trumpet Players

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