[Trombone-l] FW: trombone-l and old timers

[Phil Burton]

I believe it was mid-late 96 or early 97 when I joined the list as an occaisonal participant.  I joined the JJ list also about the same time.  

It had been 30 years since I had 'laid hands on my horn' and this list was very instrumental in my return to one of the joys in my life. Sadly, it also is partly responsible, along with my own lack of will power, for the increase in inventory of trombones and accessories.  I was perfectly happy with my Old's Ambassador, circa 1954 but then because of these dang discussions, I added a 3B, 88H, and 72H to my arsenal.  I also increased my collection of slide lubes, mouthpieces, method books, and CD's.  I will not mention  the amount of money that I have spent on CD's that
have been recommended, but that has been by far overshadowed by the
number of excellent trombonists that I would have never had the
opportunity to hear. 

As a result of joining and reading this list, I have joined the ITF, (highly recommended) and met in person at the ITF festival in New Orleans last year, and via e-mail some wonderful people. I first heard of  "Bones West" on this list by the late Ralph Bigelow, who invited me to join in with them on 2 of my trips to So. Cal.  Also, Doug Yeo, Adrian Drover, and Sam Burtis were there with excellent ideas, tips on warmups, playing and in general great ways to improve my playing. I cannot recall the number of chuckles I got from reading Adrians posts.  There have been others too numerous to mention, (and for me to remember their names) who have been equally as forthcoming with their ideas, and suggestions.  Ah yes the trolls also kept my blood pressure maintained at it's too high level, but taught me the benifits of just sitting and reading, and deleting, instead of firing back.

Thanks to everyone (especially the admin types who manage this list) for helping make this ol geezer a better player than he ever was

Phil Burton
Great Falls, MT..