Bob Reeves Brass is a custom trumpet and trombone mouthpiece maker based in Valencia, California. Founded in 1968, we work closely with you to help optimize your equipment to make the most out of your music-making. This channel features videos of our shop, staff, and customers that we hope you will find both entertaining and informative.
In addition to making a full line of trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, cornet, and piccolo trumpet mouthpieces, we also specialize in custom mouthpiece work such as mouthpiece copies, alterations, and gap adjustments with the Reeves sleeve system. Bob Reeves is known for having invented and patented his trumpet valve alignment process, having adjusted over 20,000 instruments since then.
Bob Reeves and his staff travel around the world giving master classes and private consultations and produces the popular trumpet podcast, The Other Side of the Bell, featuring top trumpet players in a variety of different idioms.
My Olds Special has no gap. The receiver is milled out at the front such that there is no visible shoulder at the lead pipe to receiver junction. I assume then, it is not possible to establish a "gap" with an Olds trumpet, correct?
Thanks for the encouragement Chris, I appreciate this very much....I am that guy who plays in a room by himself...love to jam with the Steps of Positano. Love this haunting melody...and this city is amazing.
Hi Imina Dehue I listen to your interview on yesterday.l love all of it Your mom and I are good friends more like mom and deaughter.I an so much older then she,but I need her in my life.YOur mom will tell you the story of our life together.I have know you all your life.I am so proud of you.I send you lots of love.keep blowing. Delores price
Can we conclude that it’s not about “airflow” but Energy through the instrument ? Energy that we make ? Because I’m fact, the air is already inside, it’s everywhere. Another point of view is that too much airflow can increase the mentioned Back Pressure and therefore, clog the “freedom” and overall perception of things, altering all the Embouchure ? Thanks for sharing this 👏
Megumi is an absolute treasure! I grew up in Milwaukee (where she plays principal trombone in the symphony) and she's been a model of sound, artistry, and poise for my entire musical life.
it's easy to have a "take" on this... and of course opinions vary. But consider the decades long research and experience Bob Reeves (himself) undertook, collaborating with Bill Cardwell, Carrol Purviance, and dealing with the who's who of elite trumpet players. Bob passed all this to John and Brett. Whatever you think you know, I suggest it is very prudent to simply trust in these guys - impeccable integrity, highest standards, and "THE" knowledge. Let them dial in your gear and off you go - KS.
Great interview!!! I’ve admired Charlie’s playing for years!! I believe I met him once years ago… If he happens to see this I was just curious if he ever worked with my uncle in LA.. Ray Triscari…. Very VERY educational video!!! Thanks for sharing this!!! Joe Triscari
There are quite a number of similarities to what Greg and Jim Manley preach with some Claude Gordon "Brass Playing is No Harder Than Deep Breathing". His relaxation techniques are inspirational.
What a fantastic conversation with a brilliant trumpet player from one of my favourite bands who I have admired for years. Bobby is inspiring. Thank you so much John and Bobby!, Ronan from Dublin Ireland. x
Good job, John. Sadly, up here in NorCal they're not selling packing peanuts anywhere...anymore. My horn is on the way, with extra layers and margins of bubble wrap. Guess I need to take solace that I may be helping to "save the planet." Doubtful. ;-)
He's immensely honest and forthright. He's also one of the best trumpet players in the world, Probably top two in my opinion. I also like rick braun. Can you imagine chris botti and chris standring together making music??? Now that would be something.
Separating the mouthpiece from the instrument using paper of course has an effect on the acoustics :-) Making the instrument+mouthpiece longer of course has an effect on the intonation :-) There is a big element of superstition involved here :-)
Thanks for your message. Yes, changing the gap is a tuning device because the insertion of the mouthpiece makes the instrument longer or shorter depending. However, there is no superstition here. The acoustical physics of the gap between the mouthpiece and the leadpipe has been long established. We've been seeing the results of adjusting the gap for over 50 years, including in double-blind tests.
What a delightful person, as well as an outstanding musician. Her story of the transformative impact of overcoming that adversity in music school was inspiring.
Why? Why not… It helps to dial in the resistance of the blow of the horn. The gap like a valve alignment is crucial to the overall performance of the trumpet. I have my Reeves mouthpieces and non reeves cut for sleeves and I have been able to dial in exactly what I want from each mouthpiece on each horn I have. Being able to count on what I want, when I want everytime I pick up my horns is paramount to my best performance. If you wanna find out a little what it’s like, do the paper trick to find out if you need more or less gap to help you play better. Then call John or Brett at Reeves and they will help you set up your optimal mouthpiece and/or sleeve(s) for your horn(s).
