Comeback player and Beginner Issues

[drteeth]

Hey all! I haven't played seriously in about 9 years. I am trying to comeback and eventually start playing with a community jazz band when I get things back under control.

However, I don't quite remember things being this unstable when I was a beginner. I am having issues maintaining buzzing. Sometimes I will be in the middle of a piece and just whiff a note. Like a C (middle C first line under staff). Sometimes I just get air. If I reset my embouchure then it might come out again.

Other than the typical endurance issues, the "whiffing" of these low notes is kind of disturbing. Is this typical of a beginning student?

Am I correct in assuming that with practice these issues go away?

Kinda stupid questions, but need assurance.

Any exercises that might be essential to a comeback player on the very start of their journey back? My reading is great along with my technical knowledge, just the physical part.

Thanks!

[HaveTrumpetWillTravel]

Hey Drteeth, I'm a comeback player also and had a little of that starting out. This time around I'm doing a lot more long tones, scales, and slurring, and I'm also playing more simple pieces (out of a fake book, out of hymnals, youtube playalongs, etc.). Try playing around with dynamics, articulation, etc.

Another joy of being a comeback player in this generation is message boards, youtube, trumpetherald and reddit and other sites, new equipment, easier to locate teachers, etc.

I'd say I felt like I was pretty much back to normal within a few weeks, which surprised me and now about five months back it feels good, but other people have said it can take longer, even six months or a year. It probably depends a little on how good you were before (I'd imagine the higher the level the longer it takes to return).

[drteeth]

Me too. I am playing long tones, slurring exercises, and simple tunes from Hickman's 100 Progressive Lessons for Trumpet, Getchell's first book of practical studies, etc....Just trying to get a good sound and reliable notes.

I guess the "whiffing" will ease the more I practice frequently.

[dstdenis]

[Denny Schreffler]

[Quinn_Ander]

This post is a lifesaver. I have the same issues when playing pieces/practicing materials that I'm really familiar with! I kinda figured that long tones were the way to go, and seeing that others think the same way is definitely reassuring!