GR Consultant Charlie Melk

Charlie, how did you get started on trumpet?

Well, my father and grandfather both repaired brass instruments, and with my grandfather being a professional musician by night and a repairman by day, music was in the family. So, I could pick any instrument I wanted. Trumpet was the most appealing to me because I could always hear the trumpet parts and the sound was awesome.

Where did you go to school and with whom did you study?

Most of my studies were in my early years and when I came back to playing. I did not study music at a college. I really enjoyed the mechanical side of the trumpet and I dedicated myself to learning this from my father, Phil Melk, who was a great teacher to me.
My first trumpet teacher, Jim Salomone was very good and I studied with him for a while.

What trumpet playing challenges did you have to overcome and how did you do it?

When I was young, I had a top front tooth pulled. So, I had a very difficult time playing without the tooth. However, I learned to play off to the side and got along pretty good. My parents later bought me new front teeth when I was 17, and I had to learn to play all over again. But ended up being a lot better.

Who are your musical influences today?

My infuences through my years have been Dennis Najoom, absolutely one the purest trumpet sounds, Mark Niehaus, he can just go and go, and I love to listen to guys like Jon Lewis and Malcolm McNabb.

What gigs do you play? Any interesting gig stories?

My playing is mostly community band. I started a community band in 1993, and am a strong advocate of community bands.

Do you teach or conduct clinics?

I do clinics, but all pertaining to equipment and repair.

Describe your experience with GR.

I have known Gary since I was a small kid. He would come into my dads shop. He was always interested in what we were working on. Through the years I would talk to Gary a lot about my work and his playing. I think it was 1998 he came into my shop to show me his new mouthpieces he was starting to make. I was very impressed and happy that he was doing this. I knew that he would succeed. He has this drive to make everything the right way. No compromises.
My experience with GR has been nothing but positive. He has a way of teaching you without you knowing he is. He takes everything step by step so you completely understand.

As a GR Consultant, what are the typical playing / equipment issues you see with customers?

Many player come to us with some type of mismatch. Something in the player-mouthpiece-horn are not quite working. Often it is a small adjustment, sometimes major. A number of players really believe they need very open equipment, but many times we find that an equipment match to the player really "opens up" the set up.

Any final thoughts?

It has been great to add the GR Mouthpieces to my shop. My goal is to be able to provide trumpet players at any level of ability, a shop where they can get quality repairs and equipment.
Pierre Allard does all the consultations at Charlie's Brass Works. The consultations also include the inspection of the trumpets you are using during the consultation.

Thank you,

Charlie Melk
Charlie's Brass Works
8214 West National Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214 USA

414-453-9902 charliesbrass@sbcglobal.net

www.charliesbrassworks.com

Authorized Dealer GR Mouthpieces