Sounding the Conch – The Sequel

I practiced and I tried, over and over again, but continued to sound like a wounded, but barely audible creature. Other experienced conch trumpeters were able to produce a fine sound on my newly created horn, but not me. 🙁

Here is Mary Marie, a former tuba player (I kid you not!) from Eleanor Q trumpeting away –

Upon inspection and comparison of different conch horns, we determined that perhaps mine should be “revised.”  As someone who has never played a wind instrument or horn, I needed all the help I could get!

Al got out that dremel again. (Aren’t I married to the most patient man around??) He opened up the hole more and cleared out a bit of the spiral shell just inside the hole.  Peter, on Navigator (a new boat moored near us) was also having some challenges with his recently bought conch horn. Al volunteered to “fix” his as well. Peter’s conch horn needed smoothing of the mouth piece to make it more comfortable on the lips and also needed the slit sealed – get out the two-part epoxy and cloth tape. (If you have no idea what I am talking about, please refer to my earlier post form February 16th.

Those technical adjustments made all the difference!! That evening on Cutting Class, as the sun was sliding below the horizon, we sounded the conch horn.

My first “public” attempt was not so good —

Al did just fine –

And finally, with much determination, I did it!!!  To prove it, here is a video —

I just might do this at sunset when we are back home in our Tuscany Hills neighborhood. What do you think? Are you ready, neighbors????