JAMES MORRISON SIGNATURE BRASS

In 1992 James Morrison went to the Yamaha Band Instrument manufacturing plant in Hamamatsu Japan, with a brief to investigate the feasibility of developing a new trumpet for Australian conditions. This was to be an instrument designed specifically for Australian students and musicians. Many varieties were available at the time, and many overseas artists were endorsing many brands. James and Yamaha Music Australia were of the opinion that for Australian youth, there were no real opportunities to communicate with these overseas artists, as compared with the opportunities available to students, for example, in the USA.

The objective was to provide students and musicians with a local resource. Namely an instrument of high quality at a reasonable price, and the added benefit of having access to the trumpet player who actually designed and plays the instrument.

Since the introduction of the "YTR6335J Morrison Trumpet" in 1993, James has travelled many times around the world performing with this instrument. In Australia, he has visited many schools and institutions conducting workshops and concerts, and communicating knowledge and information pertaining to the design and performance capabilities of the instrument.

In September 1996 James returned to Hamamatsu, this time to investigate the development of a Trombone to fulfill similar needs for Australian musicians.

Of prime importance was the design and performance of the instrument but another consideration, often overlooked, was the transportation convenience factor. After exhaustive research, the end result is a very fine trombone and an equally fine compact "shoulder strap" carry case that won't trip up everybody on the bus.

Whilst meeting with Yamaha design engineers, James reviewed the original trumpet design, the result of which is the new YTR6335JII Series ll model. In addition, further research was conducted on trumpet mouthpieces and subsequently a James Morrison Signature mouthpiece, TR14B4JM is now available.

When designing this instrument there were two main objectives

1. A warm, rounded tone in the middle register with good projection for solo jazz work with small groups

2. The Ability when necessary to "cut" through a whole stage band when playing lead trumpet and a bright, full tone in the upper register

Whilst it is the player who determines what sort of sound is made, changes in tone can only be done within certain limits set by what instrument is available. An instrument that is designed from the outset to "favour" a certain style of playing will allow the player to fully exploit their abilities within that style.

There are a number of different opinions on what makes an instrument "bright" or "mellow" but I have found "red brass" in the bell makes for a very "warm" centre to the tone with an overall "soft" edge to the sound - such as with a flugel horn.

While a brighter sound can be achieved with yellow brass and perhaps accentuated with silver plating, I believe that the SHAPE of the bell has more of an effect than the material used when looking for a very bright or "Cutting" sound at higher volumes.

With all of the above in mind a team of Yamaha designers and I set about making a trumpet ideally suited to jazz playing. To achieve the warm sound required for solo small group work we originally used a red brass bell, it's slightly larger size helped with projection when playing softly. This was consequently changed to gold brass in the Series II model, as red brass became tough for Yamaha to source and its durability in the production process was lower than that of gold brass.

Due to the fact that most jazz players not only play with small groups but also with stage or big bands it was necessary to get the instruments to have a bright sound when played hard - especially in the upper register.

We then chose a bell SHAPE that gives a bright sound when playing harder.

I believe the shape of the bell has most effect on the sound when playing hard and that the material it is made of has most affect at moderate volumes......this then gave us a mellow instrument when played soft and a bright tone for "lead" work.

The "body" of the trumpet is almost unchanged from the medium-large bore Yamaha Professional model that I was used to playing, including such features as monel-metal hand lapped valves, flush fitting water keys and a gold brass lead pipe to prevent corrosion.

Finally a mouthpiece had to be chosen, this is a somewhat personal area with comfort being most important. Some players may wish to stay with a mouthpiece they already play - that's fine and will not impair the performance of this instrument at all but it's a good idea to try the mouthpiece provided. It has a wide rim for comfort and a rounded edge going into the cup - this makes many jazz effects such as "shakes" and "fall offs" much easier and less tiring to execute.

Of course like all my Yamaha instruments, this one has consistent intonation, beautiful craftsmanship and is built to last. The Yamaha team have put much thought and a lot of work into this instrument and it shows - it's a joy to own and play and I'm very happy to put my name to it

Enjoy your music and....

Keep Swinging!
James Morrison.

Mouthpiece

TR14B4

TR14B4

TR14B4

James Morrison has put more than
just his name to this Yamaha Trumpet.
He also helped design it.

Introducing the Yamaha YTR6335JII professional trumpet. An instrument which has been developed with the Australian player in mind.

And who better to have his say in the design of this new instrument than jazz virtuoso, James Morrison.
The result is amazing.

A superbly crafted instrument which is mellow when played soft, and when playing 'lead' work the instrument responds with a brilliant and bright tone.

Plus, there's a special James Morrison signature Mouthpiece with a wide rim for comfort and a rounded edge going into the cup.

Now you can exploit jazz effects such as 'shakes' and 'fall offs' with ease and less effort.

"It's a joy to own and play and I'm happy to put my name to it"

Check it out now at your authorized Yamaha Dealer

Specifications

Bell Section
Diameter
Finish
Material

Slide Section
Professional
Bore
Finish

Mouthpiece

Case

204.4
Gold Lacquer
Gold Brass

YSL 645
12.7mm/13.34mm
Nickel Silver

SL48 Medium Shank

SLC360
Gold Colour Hardware
Shoulder Strap

For further details check the Yamaha website

Copyright © 1998 James Morrison Enterprises. All rights reserved