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Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by stb on 6/21/2022, 2:31 pm

Thoughts on those for brass players? Do they work for all brass instruments?

Re: Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by horn playa on 6/23/2022, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????"

When I first got to my current school they were using these for trumpets and trombones.
I was skeptical at first but they actually work really well and my kids like using them.

We have school trumpets and trombones so they all match for marching band. Silver.

I haven't really noticed any damage to the instrument other than some light scratching on the bell. But they're silver and light scratches really aren't a big deal to me.
I haven't had any issues with it bending the bell.

Just know that there are ones for Trumpet, mello, baritone and ones for Trombone. The clamps are on opposite sides. You can't really use a trumpet one on a trombone and vise versa.

If your trombone players are struggling holding the flip folder with their left hand, these clamp flip folders are great to have!

My trombones and trumpets do like to have pages for each song in our folder so they don't have to turn the whole flip folder around and re clamp it for each song.

I have regular lyers for mellos and baritones.
I like the clamps for trumpet because the trumpets I have don't work well with a regular lyre.

good luck and do what works best for you, your kids, and your instruments!

Re: Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by small school on 6/21/2022, 11:13 pm, in reply to "Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????"

They should be renamed to 'Bell Dingers'

Re: Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by Yes on 6/21/2022, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????"

We use them for all of our brass instruments.

Re: Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by Mixed feelings for trombones on 6/21/2022, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????"

I've primarily seen them used on trombones because traditional lyres suck. They rarely fit the leadpipe and they move around all the time. Bell lyres are much more stable, but that's where the benefits end.

They have a tendency to cause dents in the bell. You are also unable to flip to the other side of the flip folder, so for example if you have 20 stand tunes, you would need 20 sheets instead of using both sides and only needing 10.

Honestly, as a trombonist, I'd rather just hold it with my left hand than try to use either lyre.

I *believe* traditional lyres for other instruments work well enough.

Re: Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????

Posted by Trombone teacher on 6/21/2022, 9:14 pm, in reply to "Bell Clamp on Flip Folders????"

Really not a fan of bell clamp Lyres for trumpet or mellophone. They are awkward on a baritone because it puts the music so far above the sight line. Only time I like them is if the ring for third valve slide is attached. I hate my trumpets habit of holding the flip folder because they don’t want to spend the time to actually attach it either. The pressure it puts on their lips from not holding the instrument correctly is something I spend all season fighting. That being said. The majority of ours are probably using them because it is the only option.

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