"Good" Days and "Bad" Days

[Infera]

So, something I wondered for a long time now is the term "Good" days and "Bad" days when it comes to playing. Recently I've been having a lot of good days, and I feel like a bad day may be coming up.

After a normal warm up, my range on a good day goes from the low F# to high Eb, which I think is good for high schoolers like myself. On a "Bad" day, my range goes from a low F# to a high B. I'm not sure why this happens.


I made a small change to my technique which made my upper register more consistent, but now I have to rework my lower register consistency, but that's beside the point.

So my question is, what exactly happens when someone has a "Bad" day? Is it a lack of consistent technique or is it something else that causes "Bad" days to occur? As someone who is trying out for DCI in the coming future, I would like to know so I can avoid these "Bad" days in the future.

[Sharkbaitboi]

To be honest, sometimes it’s just that we’re young. It takes years and years of consistent, intelligent, and focused practice in order to achieve our long term goals on the trumpet. I understand the frustration, I wish i could have a crystal clear high D down to low F. During high school, I had too many times where one day(or a week) would be amazing. High g’s like nothing. Next week, can barely play an A above the staff to save my life. A mindset that I think is helpful to remember is to strive for musicality instead of getting those high notes or low notes. Always play with the intent to make a good sound.

[Brad361]

You can practice consistently, extensively for MANY HOURS and correctly (which your private teacher can help you with...you have one, right?), do your best to avoid overblowing, FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON RANGE, know when to back off and recover and if you’re like most of us and even the extraordinary players, you’re going to have “off” days. See my Arturo quote at the bottom.
(And it’s not because you’re young, although years of experience certainly help the problem).

I’m not sure the off days should be as drastic as you describe (ahem, private teacher!), but they’re going to happen. You adjust and persevere, it happens to almost everyone.

So is all of the above going to solve the problem? Nope. There is no absolute solution.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[CJceltics33]

I am in high school as well and understand your problem.

Usually, I can ensure I have a good day range-wise if I incorporate some upper register notes into my warm up. This helps set my lips for all registers. You’ll soon find what works for you.

But above all it takes consistent practice.

Good luck!

[chuck in ny]

when you are practicing and can feel that you don't have much range take it as an easy practice. go through some basic material and get everything warmed up and oiled up.
typically you have been going too hard and wind up out of gas, or it could be the state of your lips, or other things. use the light workout and see how you are the next day or two.

[bach_again]

[JVL]

Mike is totally right, quasi exhaustive
(hi Mike !)
Sleep and hydratation counts a lot, indeed.
I'll add, from experience, that at the end of a tiring session, eating a lot is not a good idea, you'd interfer with the recovery processes. A good sleeping night with a light stomach will do more good
best

[giakara]

My advice is when you start your warmup in a bad day try to play as more wisper long notes you can , for me 30 minutes of pp wisper long tones in a bad day or the morning after a nightmare nite gig is the key to set up my chops and save my reputation 😉

Regards
_________________
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs

[Chris#]

These are my top 5 reasons for a “bad day”:

1) Inconsistent warm-up
2) Inconsistent warm-up
3) Inconsistent warm-up
4) Improper breathing (due to inconsistent warm-up)
5) Worked too hard the day before

I see a trumpet player’s warm-up as the signature steak sauce in a good steak restaurant. They develop the recipe, then open the restaurant and then never change the recipe. A part of becoming a trumpet player is to find/develop a warm-up that works. This is a personal thing. Inspirations are useful, but at the end everybody needs to develop a warm-up for his or herself.

For doing the warm-up, consistency is the key. The warm-up has to be the same every day. If my warm-up consists of “something” that is repeated 10 times, I always do all 10 repetitions. I do not stop if I feed good after 3. It might be the case that I have to do 20 before I feel good. Typically I go a step back in my warm-up if something does not feel good. I’d do the previous step again and when it really feels good move on to the “failed” step again.

On most days my warm-up is about 20 minutes. There have been days when I needed an hour to be finally able to play a second line G in the quality to give myself a “passed”. This is not a bad day for me, just a day requiring a longer warm-up.

One reason for a consistent warm-up is that we cannot develop our skills on a changing foundation. The foundation needs to be as consistent as possible each day to be able to discover how to play efficiently.

I always do a 2 minute break after the warm-up. That helps me separating the warm-up from practicing. Yes, I’m weak, but I know how to outsmart myself.

If I worked too hard the day before, there is no warm-up that can help. The muscles are over-worked and need time to heal. The simple rule is to never give 100%. Surprise for younger players: fff does not mean to play as loud as you can.

Here’s a video of a clinic Wayne Bergeron did in Germany. May I suggest that you write down the hh:mm:ss where he talks about breathing, warm-up and efficiency and watch those over and over again?

https://www.facebook.com/musikhausthomann/posts/1395350717171204/

Best

Chris

[LSOfanboy]

[JVL]

hello
it depends what you call "warm up".
Bobby t=eaches warming up with fluttering for 5-10mn, then attacks on mpc, glissandos, same on horn, then melody or whatever.
it takes 10 to 15mn
A physiological necessary process, different from practicing the fundamentals.

best

[Auraix]

Today was my first "bad" day in a while. While trying to play a high C during practice, it instead came out as a Bb and my lower lip started to puff out a little, though I was doing my best to stop it.

Any tips on how to stop this from happening again?

[Billy B]

You can only rely on yourself to perform at 80% of your ability at any given time. You must over prepare for every situation.
_________________
Bill Bergren

[Auraix]

That explains why an A above the staff is always good to go lol

[Dark Knight]

I think is all depends on your perspective. If you define a good day as the highest note you can hit on that day, it will lead you down a negative path. If it like a bodybuilder defining a good day by their maximum lift. There is so much more to the sport.

If you take a musical approach and focus on how well you play a passage, you can always have a good day. Yes, try to hit a higher note. Play a passage up a step. Work in flexibilities as part of a passage, you will always have a good day.

Best Wishes,

DK
_________________
I learn from my mistakes. I can repeat them perfectly every time.

[Brad361]

Not to make excuses, but I believe the Arturo quote at the bottom near my signature. This was said to be his answer when someone asked if he always sounds plays great. Diligent work and PRACTICE will overcome a lot, but the instrument is what it is, sometimes things just don’t work how we wish they would. And I admit that I’m fortunate to be at a point where a bad day can simply be written off as a bad day, I don’t generally have auditions to be concerned about.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[kevin_soda]

Consistency is more a question of psychology than physicality.
_________________
Kevin