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Coming back, need direction.



 
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JazzMaven
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Joined: 13 Apr 2018
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Location: PA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:21 am    Post subject: Coming back, need direction. Reply with quote

I last played trumpet seriously in 1967. College, career, kids, etc. just seemed more important.

Started out on tuba (!) in 4th grade, added cornet/trumpet in 8th. Took private lessons mostly in Arban book. In HS, played trumpet in jazz band, then concert band (director needed me on "lead" tuba until somebody else could be found). Was primary soloist in stage band and high note specialist once I worked up to a high F. Went to college and they needed tuba players so...

Started on a Conn Director cornet, went thru a Bach Mercury cornet. Looking for a British mellow sound that eluded me. Finished on an Olds Mendez trumpet with a Mt. Vernon 7c with an S throat. I loved that horn and still have it.

I am now trying to decide if I want to pick up the horn again. I have nearly full dentures and probably much less breath support (I was a competitive swimmer from 7th grade). I don't know about equipment or even my wife can tolerate the sound levels. Also, if I take it up, I want to play, not just practice.

Comments? Suggestions?
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Christian K. Peters
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:40 am    Post subject: Play again Reply with quote

Hello jazzmaven,
Welcome back. Dust your horn off and just start playing. You might need to take it to a local tech for a good cleaning and maintenance if the slides are stuck. Get a teacher and get yourself to the point were you can join a community concert band, maybe a New Horizons group...There may be one close to you. They are a membership organization for people just like you. Be patient with yourself, because cognitively you are still in your twenties, and remember the glory days. Your physical apparatus has greatly been altered with age, you mentioned dentures. Good luck and take it slow. Remember you want the enjoyment of playing. Equipment can come later when you see there is a future.
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cheiden
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FWIW, after a 10-year hiatus, I ultimately found my way to the local community college. Their jazz band had a number of players whose sound I really liked. I quizzed them on their private teacher, turns out they all studied with the same guy, and that's how I got back into playing and took my playing to a whole new level.

It'd be good to take a least a lesson or two with a pro to make sure your gear is up to snuff and that you're adjusting reasonably to playing with the dentures. If a few lessons keep you from starting down a dead-end path it's more than worth it.

Welcome back!
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GeorgeB
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I played for 12 years ( started 1953 ) before I quit in 1965 ( reasons similar to yours ). I started playing again in March 2016 and had all the usual old age related issues like arthritis, etc., along with full upper dentures. Nothing was easy but I was playing well enough to join, in September, the local Horizons as first chair trumpet. I am two years now and still working on issues, and due to my age I will never be as good as I was in the 50s and 60s, but I think I may be a little bit smarter. Anyway, I really didn't hit my stride as a youngster until 1957 so I know I still have a way to go, but I am having the time of my life. And I will never quit again.
Go for it, Jazz Maven !!!!!!
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
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kehaulani
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Joined: 23 Mar 2003
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think Christian pretty much said it. I only have these observations.

The 7C mouthpiece is OK but I personally found a Schilke 11 (H) more comfortable, yet about the same size. No need to change if you're comfortable. You can start the mouthpiece chase (or not) after you actually get to the point where you can feel and tell the difference. Don't fall into the internet trap of looking for a myriad of solutions in lieu of just consistant, hard work.

I second the motion about finding a New Horizons Band. Misery loves company.

Hickman wrote an excellent book for the beginning/comeback player entitled 100 Progressive Lessons for the Trumpet and the Beginner or Comeback Player. Alternately, you may consider the Mitchell on Trumpet series or the Rubank series, all self-contained progressive lessons.

http://www.hickmanmusiceditions.com/select2.asp?selection=36
https://www.amazon.com/Mitchell-Trumpet-Book-1-DVD/dp/1585607193
https://www.amazon.com/Rubank-Elementary-Method-Trumpet-Educational/dp/1423444795

BTW, Lowell Little's Embouchure Builder is excellent as a supplemental workbook. Cheap but excellent.
https://www.amazon.com/Embouchure-Builder-Lowell-Little/dp/0769223060/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7G54NTWQPV8E629CWDWF
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jhatpro
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.

Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.

Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.

Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.

Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.

Sixth, join a band.

Seventh, have fun!
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"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
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Richard III
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you have in your area for performance possibilities? Are there venues? Are there bands to join? Do you have to form your own? Are there other players?
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GeorgeB
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jhatpro wrote:
First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.

Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.

Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.

Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.

Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.

Sixth, join a band.

Seventh, have fun!


Now this says it all...great advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet
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BGinNJ
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Long tones.
(Nobody mentioned that yet!).

Absolutely, get the horn cleaned up, find a teacher, find a band.
But the first step is to put the horn on your face and play a few notes.
Maybe do it when no one's around so you don't feel self conscious or get any complaints.
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trickg
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 7:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So I'm going to throw a monkey wrench into what has thus far been a fairly positive thread about how to go about picking the horn back up.

One of the things that you should consider is whether or not you are ready to deal with the frustrations that are most certainly going to come if you decide to try to pick things back up.

You also need to really ask yourself why you want to pick things back up, as well as to try to define a goal for where you think you want to go.

I bring these things up because it's going to be a struggle for you to regain the level of proficiency you had years ago. Your chops are going to have to be rebuilt almost from scratch, and you have the added challenge of dealing with dentures. This is going to take time - maybe a full year or two - before you get to a place where you'll feel comfortable enough with your skills to put yourself out there in a performance.

And that's another question by itself - do you intend to get involved in a community band, or some other performance outlet? I know that in my case, I practice to perform, and without a performance outlet, I have a hard time maintaining the discipline to keep up with my chops. Fortunately I gig regularly, so maintaining the motivation to keep things in order is less of a challenge.

How long are you willing to slog away in the practice room to get yourself back to a level of proficiency where you can go out and find a performance outlet?

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, because making music with other people is massively rewarding, but there are definitely some things you should consider and be honest with yourself about before embarking on the journey to start playing again.
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Patrick Gleason
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GeorgeB
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Patrick make some really good points here. Taking the horn up again after a really long hiatus is, as Patrick said, starting from scratch. You will have days when you question your sanity, but if the real desire is there playing again can be a truly rewarding experience. For me it was a case of needing a purpose in life after losing my wife to cancer and music and the trumpet filled that need. After 2 years of ups and downs, I remain committed and determined. If you feel this way, too, then go for it.
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet
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ButchA
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Joined: 09 Dec 2008
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Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

GeorgeB wrote:
jhatpro wrote:
First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.

Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.

Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.

Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.

Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.

Sixth, join a band.

Seventh, have fun!


Now this says it all...great advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I agree with George! An upper denture plate didn't hold me back!

Lots of us comeback players are always playing... I played trumpet in grade school in the late 60's, switched to french horn, back to trumpet, etc... then got braces in high school and switched to euphonium & doubled on trombone too (bigger MP). When the braces came off, I returned to trumpet.

Then I ended up putting away the trumpet, strapping on an electric guitar and rocked out as a lead guitarist for quite a number of years. I finally got back into trumpet once my daughters got into school band and I slowly returned. I got more and more serious into playing once I joined The Shriners and became a member of their band here in town.

In a nutshell: You can do it! Never ever get discouraged and say, "I can't do it", because deep down in your heart, you can still play!
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GeorgeB
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jhatpro wrote:
Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.


I meant to add a comment on the fourth item in Jim Hatfield's Do-List.

As a youngster, along with some study time in a music conservatory, I also took lessons fom one of the best Trumpet players in Eastern Canada and he said the same thing Jim did: play both fundamentals and music every day because playing music is the reason we do fundamentals in the first place.
I spend as much time playing tunes every afternoon as I spend every morning on fundamentals.
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet
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iiipopes
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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 5:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can only add, in harmony with the great steps jhatpro posted above, even if you have to drive, contact your regional university to see if they have a trumpet faculty member that fulfils the seven steps posted above. Good luck!
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enviroman22
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Joined: 03 Apr 2018
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PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2018 9:13 pm    Post subject: Give it a go! Reply with quote

I also after 25 years came back. It was just like riding a bike. (Actually, that's how I lost my two front teeth to begin with ). Just have to put time in patiently developing stamina.

I lost my two front teeth and didn't think I could play really any more. Boy am I surprised. I've been playing with bands since 2015 and just got my grade-school 1965 Olds Ambassador refinished! Just plays beautifully. Now, about that stamina....lol. We have a gig next Saturday so I have my work cut out for me. I've been using Olds Ambassador cornets while my trumpet was out. I was playing with a 1967 Bach Stradavarius Model 37 but it was starting to get beat up so I got it refinished and it stays at home now.

Back to the missing two front teeth. I learned years ago about Fixodent the hard way. I just use Fixodent and everything stays put. I've tried playing with the flipper out and it works so that was encouraging. Although I wouldn't want to do it all day every day because the surrounding teeth would tend to close in.

After a band asked for a trumpet player I started practicing/playing for them and it works for them. They love it. I have lots of idiosyncrasies but we're getting paid and everybody loves it. I don't play loud. I sing.

Oh! P.S. I use a Bach 7C mp due to it's great nonslip grip. Bite, whatever they call it. It doesn't slide all around like most do. I believe it's part of the 7C design.

Anyways it works. Give it a go!


Last edited by enviroman22 on Sat May 12, 2018 4:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jhatpro
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PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2018 8:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey enviro, great 1st post. Welcome to TH!
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"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle
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iiipopes
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PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2018 6:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And since the OP started on tuba, if trumpet doesn't work out, there are always many more openings and requests for a good tuba player than a trumpet player, as I have experienced myself over the decades.
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