Oh yah forgot to mention this part of my art.

I actually apprenticed (had already gained a few years experience in
brass and some woodwind repair) with a local fellow making trombone
bells. Yes it's true! This guy had actually designed and made his own
mandrels for the bells and associated tubes, for a tenor/bass and
trumpet bell. (the most crucial part of the instruments acoustically
speaking) I mean talk about an artist. This guy (Joe) was a musician,
designer, manufacturer, and repairman amongst other things.
Anyway.......

I learned to acutally make a trombone bell from scratch (with his
tooling. Quite archaic. i.e. Drawing conical tubes through lead!).
Trumpet bells were another thing. Hand hammered they were..........

Although my memory of the manufacturing process is a little sketchy
now, this knowledge has contributed a lot to my music, my skills as a
brass playing instrumentalist, (my art) and in fact has helped with
repairs to my Westy. I don't repair brass/woodwinds anymore, but would
love to get a lathe etc. and keep what I learned alive.

As for "artsyfartsy", I don't like that term. Especially coming from a
layman. If another muso/artist used that with me, I'd understand that
it was being said with "tongue in cheek". Or sarcastically.
(musicians? sarcastic??) Hearing it from the layman is like hearing
them refer to a "gig". Another term reserved for musos/artists.
Anyhoo.......

Cheers, and Merry Christmas/happy holidays all!

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil