Two Important points!

[acatrp61]

Greetings,

I just wanted to make a couple of points that may be a no brainer to pro's, or those who have done Claude's routines for years, but may not be clear to younger players:

1. Its VITAL to play these routines daily! Only when I do them daily do I develop the long line ability and strength. For years I was spotty about doing them, giving myself excuses to miss days.....and then wondering why I wasn't making the progress I wanted. Yes, we get tired, but if you just follow through with it, perhaps practicing a little earlier if you need extra time to rest before a gig. It can be done, just don't expect it to always be easy!
2. I notice when I am heavily involved with the routines and do not practice music later on, that when I do get to the gig, I often times just obsess about my chops instead of thinking about the music. Don't fall for this trap! Make sure you practice some real music at some point in the day. At least listen to great Trumpet music and concentrate on it. Often times I play much better on a gig if I've just listened to something inspiring.
Again, this may be obvious to some, but good to clarify nontheless......
Cheers!

[John Mohan]

Great points, especially the first one. I find myself guilty of not adhering to the first point too often, sometimes for years at a time. The only time in my life I've gotten into the Double High C and above range consistently (I was topping out as high as G above Double C in Systematic Approach) happened to be the time when I spent about 4 or 5 months ALWAYS playing my routine each day without exception.

I think the old saying "one step forward, one step back" definitely applies to sporadic practice habits.

Best wishes,

John Mohan
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Trumpet Player, Clinician & Teacher
1st Trpt for Cats, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Evita, Hunchback of Notre Dame,
Grease, The Producers, Addams Family, In the Heights, etc.
Ex LA Studio Musician
16 Year Claude Gordon Student

[PieterS]

On other thing I found to be very important is to rest as long as you play during the exercises. I have had times that I did play all exercises every day but felt that I didn't improve anymore and felt tired and sore. Looking back I think I rushed through the exercises and didn't rest longer than a few seconds between the exercises. Nowadays I use a stopwatch and never get tired anymore from the exercises and am improving again.
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Bb: van Laar B4 / Bach 1.25C 26 & Reeves 43.5C
C: Bach Stradivarius 239 CL / Bach 1.25C 24/24 & Bach 1B

[Usedtobegood]