insight from Jason...

Harrelson Trumpets
  • Performance
    • SpectraTone
    • Build My Mouthpiece >
      • Intro to Mouthpieces
      • Artist Series >
        • Artist Bodies
        • Artist Rims
    • Mouthpiece Components >
      • Rim Sizes
      • Cup Sizes
      • Throat Sizes
      • Body Sizes
      • Backbore Sizes
      • Nut Sizes
    • Increase Efficiency >
      • Mod Kits
      • Finger Button Options
    • Adjustable Performance
    • Adjustable Peformance Tools
  • Advantage
    • Trumpet Momentum >
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 1 >
        • TM 1 - Blog
        • TM 1 - Assessments
        • TM 1 - Exercises
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 2 >
        • TM 2 - Blog
        • TM 2 - Assessments
        • TM 2 - Exercises
        • TM 2 - Beta Testing
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 3 >
        • TM 3 - Blog
        • TM 3 - Assessments
        • TM 3 - Exercises
        • TM 3 - Beta Testing
        • TM 3 - Case Studies
        • TM 3 - Regional Clinics
    • The Harrelson Story
    • We have Your size
    • Technology
    • 100% Guarantee
  • Instruments
    • Model Comparison
    • Buy A Harrelson
    • Muse Modular MMXX
    • 2021 VPS Summit G-Series
    • "X" Series
    • Limited Editions >
      • Summit One
      • Summit Midnight
      • Summit Art
    • Bravura Series >
      • 2021 Bravura Flugelhorn
      • 2021 Bravura Piccolo
    • 2018 VPS Summit Series
    • HT6 - Kickstarter 2022
    • VPS Summit Eb
    • Acoustic Armour
    • Trumpet Gallery
  • News
    • Jason's Blog >
      • Jason Harrelson
    • Lessons Link
    • Teacher Information
    • Weekly Trumpet Challenge
    • Get Social
    • Clinics & Tours
    • Our Clients >
      • Client Features
    • Jen's Blog
    • Company History
  • Clients
    • Contests & Winners
    • Order My Trumpet >
      • Leadpipes & Bells
      • Tuning Slides & Bell Crooks
      • Receivers
      • Bottom Cap options
      • Water Keys
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping
    • Instrument Registry
    • Acclimation
    • Maintenance
    • Roots of Music
  • Store

Take one thing at a time...

3/5/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am diligent about starting a project and finishing it the same day whenever possible. However, this is not always possible with most of my work as designing, prototyping, and then putting a new product into production is often a multi-day or even multi-month endeavor. This reality creates challenges that keep my mind active on multiple challenges every single day. Finishing the project is the goal, but it is completely necessary to start dozens of projects and finish them in a logical, not chronological, order.

Essentially, my life and work is a giant balancing act. I have an idea that's either based on a problem I, or my customers, have encountered or it comes to me subconsciously in my sleep. Then I sketch and define the idea on paper before discussing it with anyone. Jen is usually first to hear about these concepts as she is great at listening, even if she sometimes gives me no feedback. Then I either file it away in a notebook or dive in to make it reality.

In the case of Momentum, which was a spinning top I invented a few years ago, I jumped into this idea full force as a mental exercise. I had suffered a disabling stroke a few years earlier and my cognitive skills were still re-developing. I woke up one morning and told myself that I must do something challenging today. I designed, programmed and built the entire Momentum system without touching pencil to paper (and no computers). I did every bit of the math and engineering in my mind with my eyes closed to prove to myself that I was gaining mental strength after my brain trauma. The sketch you see above was made after I finished the entire system to document the dimensions.

I did something similar two years later with the Muse Modular trumpet design. However, this system was far more complex than Momentum so after months of designing and prototyping in plastic with 3d printers, I moved into more intense software (Inventor) to work out the details. The initial design of the modular leadpipe, brace mount system, bell crook/choke modular system and dimensions were done entirely in my mind with my eyes closed. For the Muse, this took me roughly two full days of silent meditation. Entering everything as imagined into the CAD system took roughly two months! If only I could program as easily as I can construct in my own mind.

You may now begin to see why I have more projects in progress than time as I do come up with great solutions to problems. Yet these solutions require a great deal of time and energy to put into production as physical products. Am I a product developer? A problem solver? An educator in brass playing? A machinist? An inventor? A businessman? An artistic designer? A production process developer? Or maybe I'm someone with a lot of ideas. What I do know is that my ideas have helped tens of thousands of brass players overcome challenges and that I love working with all of you.

It's been twenty-five years of progress from where I'm sitting and I want to experience another fifty years of this amazingly inspiring creative energy! I always take one thing at a time on each project, but am always working on dozens of projects at the same time. A paradox or progress?

Jason


0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Jason Harrelson

    Inventor, Musician, Educator and Founder of Harrelson Trumpets, Trumpet Momentum and Harrelson Momentum.

    Archives

    December 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    February 2018
    July 2017
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

Location

Have questions?

Send an email by clicking the envelope icon to the right. Or call ahead and visit us for an in-person lesson or tour. 303.657.2747

Take your playing to the next level with Trumpet Momentum Levels 1, 2, and 3!

Ask Jason...

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Performance
    • SpectraTone
    • Build My Mouthpiece >
      • Intro to Mouthpieces
      • Artist Series >
        • Artist Bodies
        • Artist Rims
    • Mouthpiece Components >
      • Rim Sizes
      • Cup Sizes
      • Throat Sizes
      • Body Sizes
      • Backbore Sizes
      • Nut Sizes
    • Increase Efficiency >
      • Mod Kits
      • Finger Button Options
    • Adjustable Performance
    • Adjustable Peformance Tools
  • Advantage
    • Trumpet Momentum >
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 1 >
        • TM 1 - Blog
        • TM 1 - Assessments
        • TM 1 - Exercises
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 2 >
        • TM 2 - Blog
        • TM 2 - Assessments
        • TM 2 - Exercises
        • TM 2 - Beta Testing
      • Trumpet Momentum Level 3 >
        • TM 3 - Blog
        • TM 3 - Assessments
        • TM 3 - Exercises
        • TM 3 - Beta Testing
        • TM 3 - Case Studies
        • TM 3 - Regional Clinics
    • The Harrelson Story
    • We have Your size
    • Technology
    • 100% Guarantee
  • Instruments
    • Model Comparison
    • Buy A Harrelson
    • Muse Modular MMXX
    • 2021 VPS Summit G-Series
    • "X" Series
    • Limited Editions >
      • Summit One
      • Summit Midnight
      • Summit Art
    • Bravura Series >
      • 2021 Bravura Flugelhorn
      • 2021 Bravura Piccolo
    • 2018 VPS Summit Series
    • HT6 - Kickstarter 2022
    • VPS Summit Eb
    • Acoustic Armour
    • Trumpet Gallery
  • News
    • Jason's Blog >
      • Jason Harrelson
    • Lessons Link
    • Teacher Information
    • Weekly Trumpet Challenge
    • Get Social
    • Clinics & Tours
    • Our Clients >
      • Client Features
    • Jen's Blog
    • Company History
  • Clients
    • Contests & Winners
    • Order My Trumpet >
      • Leadpipes & Bells
      • Tuning Slides & Bell Crooks
      • Receivers
      • Bottom Cap options
      • Water Keys
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping
    • Instrument Registry
    • Acclimation
    • Maintenance
    • Roots of Music
  • Store