FIRST AID
Fix the intonation of any brass instrument while enhancing response and slotting
Hear The Difference
We know everyone is capable of bringing any instrument in tune, no matter how good or bad it is. This video is instead showing how most trumpets sound without that manipulation
The First Aid aims at moving the harmonic series eliminating the need for the player to bend notes in tune.
This, in turns, results in a better tone as notes will naturally sit in their most resonant place, with matching resistance and similar character throughout the range of the instrument.
An added benefits are that the articulation will be faster and more precise, the sound more consistent and resonant.
How It Works
Over a decade of experience studying the physics of brass instruments and designing trumpets for some of the world's finest players has led to the development of the First Aid.
The shape, weight and placement of braces play a pivotal role in how the instrument slots from partial to partial.
This device greatly improves typical inconsistencies found in most conventional trumpets.
Adding weight in any place of an instrument changes where nodes and antinodes of each harmonic happen. During our research we found the lower tube of the first slide to be the most effective area and the easiest to perceive.
Far from being a gimmick, this tool allows the player to find a new personal balance that overcomes widespread trumpet design flaws.
How to find the right spot
It is VITAL to find the ideal spot for the First Aid to work correctly.
Skip this passage and you have wasted your money!!!
Most trumpets will need it at about 1 or 2 millimeters from the beginning of the lower tube of the first slide.
A micro movement of 0.1mm is enough to find the PERFECT spot instead of a "good enough" one.
And do your best to "overdrive" the horn when testing the First Aid.
Looks and sounds silly, I know, but that's what you have to do to better hear the differences.
Once you are set you can go back to normal playing ;-)
We really care that you find the perfect spot, so, again, PLEASE make an effort to move it by a fraction of a millimeter at a time as shown in the video!
Testimonials
Sergei Nakariakov, Wayne Bergeron, Chris Botti, Fabrizio Bosso, Jose Sibaja, Trent Austin, Tero Lindberg, Glenn Van Looy, Alan Kaplan and many others...
Let's hear what some of the best players in world have to say about the First Aid.
How to put it on the horn
Since the mouthpiece acoustics, the gap and overall length of the horn (which depends on the room's temperature) will affect the harmonic series, the First Aid placement will be up to personal preference.
Thanks to a simple elastic band you can continuously adjust the First Aid as needed without having to commit to a permanent placement, as you would with braces.
The player will find that different mouthpieces or styles of music will require a different setup.
Even 0.1mm can make a difference that an experienced trumpet player can feel right away. Watch the video to learn the best approach to placement.
Options
We offer the First Aid in 3 materials: Brass, Nickel Silver and Phosphor Bronze.
Nickel Silver sounds brighter than brass and has a quicker response.
Bronze will make the horn even more stable and will add quite some darkness to your sound.
We are initially offering the First Aid for Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn and Piccolo.
Versions for Trombones, Euphoniums, Tubas and French Horns are going to be released in September 2024, you can pre-order them.
Buy
Prices are:
Brass Silver Plated: 99 Euro
Bronze or Nickel Silver Plated: 119 Euro
For gold plating add 30 Euro.
Buy here: SHOP