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insight from Jason...

How did my trumpet designs offend you?

2/25/2011

5 Comments

 
I get angry dismissive emails every month or so, often from the strangest places. Surprisingly, the majority of my dissenters over the years were clergy of some sort, but today's angry email came from someone I considered more than a client. He has purchased two Bravura trumpets in the past and actually stood over my shoulder for the entire production asking questions and comments as he himself is a trumpet maker of sorts. The process of building my horns is not simple so I didn't see any harm in sharing as I highly doubt he could reproduce my results. He has praised my instruments for years and I have likewise praised his musical ability.

We had a casual phone conversation yesterday concerning his ideas for a new trumpet brace, which he claims to have tested superior to my own designs. Apparently using a "synthetic material" which has not been named, he modified a Getzen trumpet to play 1.5 decibels louder than his Bravura so now he is asking me to change my production. Producing just one part of his proposed design could easily consume 4-6 weeks of my undivided attention and I let him know the cost would be considerable not to mention incorporating a design change into my line of instruments. And why should I change my production to suit his idea, one that I have already tested years ago?

His email below (identity omitted):

    "Jason,
    Thanks for the conversation yesterday, its always entertaining hearing your         thoughts on trumpets.
    I have to say that I am disappointed that you will not offer conventional weight     trumpets as part of your business model. A couple years ago you gave me the     impression that you wanted to sell as many trumpets as possible, without             compromising, of course.

    I appreciate that you have the realities of manufacturing to deal with and that     you are content with selling 200-300 horns per year. The sad reality is that         people aren't going to change their minds and start buying heavy trumpets in     large numbers. I'm afraid you are just going to wake up one day and on a             whim stop building trumpets. Then all that will be left is 1000 or so Harrelson         trumpets in existence with no one to carry on your work.

    Is it really about putting a clearly superior trumpet into the hands of anyone         who wants one, or is it about being another Dave Monette who doesn't really     care what his customers want because his way is the right way?

    As a strong supporter and repeat customer, I'm trying to make you realize that     there is a huge pool of customers that just won't even consider a heavy (or         "weird" looking) horn and that attitude will take decades to change, not years.     By that time you likely will be bored with it all and quit.

    Anyway, I again thank you for your great contributions to trumpet building             science and sharing your knowledge."

My response is posted below and then I will have nothing more to say on this subject. I will not get into a "Trumpet Herald" style sparring session over how to run my own business ;)

Response:

I spent almost an hour speaking with you yesterday and never had any idea you were upset. I have devoted more than 15 years of my life to understanding the physics of acoustic instruments. Your ideas are not new, nor are many of mine, this is reality. You state that you're disappointed in me making comparison to Dave Monette. Do you realize almost every statement in your email is a contradiction and comes across as emotional? Did I somehow offend you by running my business the way my customers see appropriate? Did I not build your trumpet exactly the way you wanted with you leaning over my shoulder throughout the entire process? And now you condemn me?

And what is this controversy over standard weight instruments? Have you played my HT3, which is more efficient than any Bach or Yamaha, costs $1000 less and is almost identical in weight? Please take the time to understand my products before ripping me apart in a rude email that Paul is trained to delete before it reaches my eyes.

Weight has nothing to do with physics of trumpets. It is not a necessary component and your assumption that my goal is to add weight is misguided to say the least. Tens of thousands of hours experimenting on trumpets and you think my goal is weight? Hmm. Regardless, my goal is to offer the best playing horn to fit each individual's playing preferences and nothing more. I don't care to sell thousands of horns and hope the custom market remains relatively small. If my designs became mainstream, they'd be ordinary like a Bach. Mainstream is exactly what I do not want.

Your email is dismissive, which anyone would find disrespectful, so I imagine you'll find my rebuttal the same. Attack my life's work and I will defend. Your one idea is a small grain of salt in a massive heap that overflows my every moment. If you want your hollow braces produced, be prepared to pay the price. I don't think you'll find another shop in the world that will come close to my price and quality, though I don't believe you're remotely interested in producing anything. Maybe you simply like to throw insults at people that have more important things to do?

In your words I will, "wake up one day and on a whim stop building trumpets" and "likely will be bored with it all and quit". In reality, I will never stop thinking about how to improve the trumpet or most other things. Where do you get these ideas since we barely know each other? If I ever do retire from building trumpets, it will most likely be to avoid the arrogant and dismissive emails from people telling me how to run my business or the long hours.

You have your own ideas, put them to work and compete with Harrelson Trumpets. I welcome all legitimate innovation in the trumpet marketplace even if it comes from a former client who, after purchasing and praising two Bravuras, thinks my designs are seriously flawed. We sell more custom made trumpets than any other company in the world. Please, compete and show me how a trumpet should be built.

Sincerely,
Jason


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5 Comments
Milano
2/26/2011 01:44:46 am

Trumpet to play 1.5 decibels louder than Bravura? I could never understand this,why are some players obsessed by having such a loud instruments? What ever happened to real beauty and warmth of the trumpet tone? Jason,do not care too much of people like this,they are just jelous of your work and dedication,keep up your exelent work and just go forward,we are army of people who loves what you do and appreaciate all your efforts to give us really special music tools,keep that in your mind. I am just about to order my sample and i know when its done it will be piece of art in every way.

Reply
Luis
11/19/2011 06:04:30 am

Jason:
I am very surprise at that person to insult you after you build 2 horn base on his on specifications. Keep the good work and ignore people like that. I am very exited to hopefully soon work with you on having one of your awesome trumpets.

Reply
Don Miles
10/27/2012 02:31:59 am

Jason,

I often get the same sort of comments. There are always those people out there who have never designed or built a trumpet but think they know just how it should be done because they can play.

I have been driving for well over thirty years but that doesn't make me an automotive engineer or a auto mechanic. For some reason they just don't get it. They have never done what we do and probably never will but they will still think they know better.

Forget them. Don't waste your time with them, They will go through life criticizing us and thinking that with a few insults they win their arguments. In the end they will be seen for the failures they are. They will never build a trumpet and nobody will ever pay attention to them. Meanwhile people will be playing the trumpets we build and loving them every minute of it.

I continue to build my trumpets in spite of them. I will never build or sell many trumpets. It was never my goal. My goal was to make great trumpets that people can only get from me. Nobody can make the trumpets that I make and nobody can make the trumpets that you make.

Just keep doing what you are doing and forget the fools who only dream and criticize but achieve nothing.

Reply
John Baumchen
12/27/2013 07:03:53 am

I have no clue how you Jen and Paul manage to put up with trumpet players!!! LOL...Even though I do not know you I love what you have done and continue to do! I love how honest and open you are. I love that explain your idea's all the time to people in an industry where secrets, lie's and half truths are the norm you really stand out! I love the integrity that you have and the fact that you do not waver or compromise from what you are doing and trying to continue to do! Everyone else seem all too eager to toss away integrity, honor and if you believe in such their soul just to make a few more dollars and sell a few more boring unchanging less then innovative trumpets!

Let the rest of the manufactures flood the market with 37 bell and 25 pipe drawn tube $50 trumpets that China has no problem duplicating and at a cheaper price point.

I think you have the right idea of avoiding that sort of market. In fact the large domestic manufactures do not have a clue how to compete in the market they are in now that the environment is much larger. I do not see anyone in China doing what you do any time soon!

You can not please everyone and even when you try too it often just blows up in your face!

Thanks for being who you are and being stubborn, tenacious and persistent!!! Few in this industry have any integrity at all but you do!!!

Reply
Alison Shaiman
6/27/2018 01:29:35 pm

I happened upon this old post, and thought to myself, well this reminds me of the old trumpet player joke - How many trumpet players does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to take care of the bulb and any number you choose to say they can do it better.😁

Me, being used to abuse and challenge as the only female trumpet player for a very long time back from when I started, says sticks and stones, man. I look forward to the day when I can get my hands on one of your horns...right now, anxiously awaiting my HT3 silver mouthpiece from the garage sale!

You are a refreshing and welcome change in the instrument that chose ME, not the other way around, 50 years ago!

Dude, rock ON.

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  • Performance
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      • Intro to Mouthpieces
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    • Mouthpiece Components >
      • Rim Sizes
      • Cup Sizes
      • Throat Sizes
      • Body Sizes
      • Backbore Sizes
      • Nut Sizes
    • Increase Efficiency >
      • Mod Kits
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    • Adjustable Peformance Tools
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    • Clinics & Tours
    • The Harrelson Story
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    • News >
      • Jason's Blog >
        • Jason Harrelson
      • Jen's Blog
      • Company History
      • Lessons Link >
        • Teacher Information
      • Get Social
    • Clients >
      • Our Clients >
        • Client Features
      • Trumpet Components >
        • Leadpipes & Bells
        • Tuning Slides & Bell Crooks
        • Receivers
        • Bottom Cap options
        • Water Keys
      • Contact Us
      • Shipping
      • Instrument Registry
      • Acclimation
      • Maintenance
    • 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
    • We have Your size
    • 100% Guarantee
  • Store
  • Instruments
    • Rumors & Dreams
    • Model Comparison
    • Buy A Harrelson
    • Muse Modular MMXX
    • 2023 VPS Summit G-Series
    • "X" Series
    • Trumpet Gallery