{"items": [{"author": "George", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414469385284322", "anchor": "fb-414469385284322", "service": "fb", "text": "No one likes bad trumpet, surely.", "timestamp": "1348990725"}, {"author": "Bennett", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414491031948824", "anchor": "fb-414491031948824", "service": "fb", "text": "Never actually heard you play I've wondered the same thing in another situation!  I think scenario 1 is most likely.  People hear trumpet and even if it isn't great playing it feels festive/different/special/cool. It pumps up the energy, even if only for a moment.  The vast majority of dancers are probably reacting to this.  In a few short weeks of practice you'll be good enough that only professional dance musicians will be able to tell you aren't Miles Davis, as long as you keep it simple and full of space, and never let the novelty wear off.  See Nils Friedland and his trombone.", "timestamp": "1348997552"}, {"author": "Rick", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414491678615426", "anchor": "fb-414491678615426", "service": "fb", "text": "The way you are playing it sounds good.  I don't think anyone would object.  You are playing it briefly in a way that is consistent with your ability, and I think you should continue.", "timestamp": "1348997801"}, {"author": "Andrew", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414596651938262", "anchor": "fb-414596651938262", "service": "fb", "text": "Most contra dancers are not discerning about musical technique, or of most technical details of dancing.  If you play faster or louder, they will react positively - I'm not suggesting that you do so, I'm just saying what is.  I agree with Bennett re Nils.  If you think you don't have great trumpet chops, use it as a condiment rather than the main course.", "timestamp": "1349020938"}, {"author": "Daniel", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414603245270936", "anchor": "fb-414603245270936", "service": "fb", "text": "Brutal honesty: I'm a contra dancer who HATES hearing trumpet in dances -- whether played well or not.", "timestamp": "1349022251"}, {"author": "Kim", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=414842975246963", "anchor": "fb-414842975246963", "service": "fb", "text": "As a data point, I noticed you were playing trumpet a bit at a recent dance.  I think what you were trying to do was what others are suggesting, e.g. adding occasional momentary bits of energy.  I don't know enough to be able to give any sort of knowledgable technical evaluation, but I didn't much care for what you were doing and wondered if perhaps it was not one of your better instruments.  And I do like bands like Elixer and Big Bandemonium, so it wasn't a dislike of trumpets / brass for contras.  So to answer your question, it does seem to matter to me whether it's played well.", "timestamp": "1349068472"}, {"author": "Myles", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=418627278201866", "anchor": "fb-418627278201866", "service": "fb", "text": "I remember both agreeing with your playing assessment, and enjoying the positive impact it had on the dancers.  My dance partner and I even talked about it.  I would say occasional experimenting at gigs with how you want to use the trumpet is good, but definitely keep working on it if you want it to be a regular feature.", "timestamp": "1349887165"}, {"author": "Bill", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/414372225294038?comment_id=418674981530429", "anchor": "fb-418674981530429", "service": "fb", "text": "I don't recall that I've notice when you've played trumpet at a dance, but then I haven't been to many of them yet. However, I have danced to bands that have included brass (or brassy-sounding) instruments: Nils a few times on trombone, Bruce Randall occasionally on trombone, and Mr. Cantini on bombard. I also played trombone when I was younger, but never in the context of a contra dance band. IMO, the trombone works well as part of the rhythm. The bombard works well on melody, but only as a condiment in the occasional set, because it is @&*# loud!. The first time I heard Cantini play bombard at a dance I was *very* startled, craning my neck trying to see what the heck he was playing while trying not to break down my set.", "timestamp": "1349895142"}]}