Dented my bell before an audition. What should I do?

[JCBone]

As the title says, I have a dent in my bell and I have an audition coming up very soon. Don't have time to take it in. It's not terrible but it's noticeable. I'm worried that I'll make a bad first impression. Any ideas?

[spencercarran]

If it still plays fine, go to the audition and try not to worry. They'll be listening to your sound more than staring at your horn.

[harrisonreed]

If it doesn't affect the sound, don't worry about it

[Elow]

You could say it’s a new edwards treatment to help response and projection. But seriously, i don’t think it matters. There’s a video of toby oft on youtube playing a rochut or something with a massive crease in his bell, i don’t think it took from the performance in any way, same for rita payes, shes gots some dents, doesnt make her any less of a player

[sacfxdx]

And you’ll have an excuse if you don’t pass the audition.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

The dent probably will not impact your playing ability. However....psychology plays a large role in one's performance well-being. If it will make your feel better/more comfortable on your audition, call one of your local techs and get it done tonight.

Bell flare dents are usually removed with a rolling tool. Some people refer to this tool as a "fast-Eddie." I have been told it was named after Ed Stege at Badger State Instrument Repair...the supposed inventor. I really don't know if that is true. Anyway, the tool IS actually very fast. Most people who bring an instrument to me with a bell-flare dent (and that is the only thing needing repair) are usually walking away very happy in several minutes or less.

[Burgerbob]

Hopefully it's a blind audition and no one will ever see the instrument.

[WilliamLang]

go in and play your best - i've never judged a student by the shape of their instrument and i think (hope might be a better word) a lot of teachers and committees feel the same. if the music is there pretty much no one cares where it's coming from

[mrdeacon]

The dent probably will not impact your playing ability. However....psychology plays a large role in one's performance well-being. If it will make your feel better/more comfortable on your audition, call one of your local techs and get it done tonight.

This! Even for a blind audition I will still dress up in slacks, button down, and nice shoes. Does it really matter? Of course not but I feel slick doing it and it puts me in a performance mindset. On that same note if my gear isn't at 100% I wont be in a mindset to perform at 100%.

[BGuttman]

Well, while MrDeacon commits suicide over the mute ding in his bell, just play your best. Remember, the damage won't have much effect on your sound.

[Thrawn22]

Mrdeacon will sorely be missed. He has quite the inventory to be auctioned off .


My two cent story is i dated a woman who bought me an 8H. I took it to rehearsal in my double gig bag. Getting out of the car, i put it in the roof (like a dumbass!) and it rolled off. The bell was pretty crumpled (the bass was unscathed). I had to play the rehearsal, all the while looking at what was a new horn. Drove over to John Sandhagens shop at Cal Poly Pomona, had it looking like new in 45 minutes. Actually played better. But it really messed with my head the whole time playing it like that.

[paulyg]

Here's some evidence that it's possible to play at a very high level with a mashed bell: