I Think I may be Losing Interest in the Trumpet?

HornnOOb

After being involved with the trumpet and related areas of interest, I fear that I may be losing interest. I am one of those 7-10 year change personality types and I am now at the 10 year mark with the trumpet. As of the past 4 weeks, I've had to force myself to play at least once a week in an attempt to keep my chops from going completely south. It's as if I've just lost the zeal for playing and all things trumpet.

In my heart of hearts, I know I shouldn't just quit - after all, what would that really accomplish? But I just don't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as I once did - not too long ago.

I'm wondering if anyone out there in TH land has experienced the same scenario - losing interest in playing? Any advice for regaining my interest and enjoyment in playing would be appreciated?

Thanks!
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I rode in on a horse and can't seem to get out of L.A.

Severinsen Destino 3*
1971 Getzen Eterna 900S Severinsen Model
1984 Getzen Eterna 896 Flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special Cornet

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mafields627 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:44 am Post subject:

I'm a high school band director with two small children. I've tried to keep my chops up through practicing a few minutes at school when I can or playing in a community band, but it's been a struggle. The last season of community band really wasn't enjoyable. I'm pretty much at the point where I am setting the horn aside until my boys are older. I'll play just enough to be able to demo stuff at school.
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No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:51 am Post subject:

I spent the middle portion of my life singing instead of playing trumpet. Eventually the desire to play returned.

One piece of advice don’t sell off your current horn unless you must.

HornnOOb · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:54 am Post subject:

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:10 pm Post subject:

BGinNJ · Veteran Member Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 380

The reason why there's a Comeback forum here is because there's so many of use who stop playing at some point, whether it's lack of interest, burnout, family/work conflicts, medical reasons.

Don't sell your horn, because nothing's getting any cheaper. Someday you'll want to play again, and it will be waiting for you. It will be waiting for you even when you DON"T want to play, taunting you.

cbtj51 · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:20 pm Post subject:

Harry Hilgers · Heavyweight Member Joined: 16 Jun 2015 Posts: 637

DaveH · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Nov 2001 Posts: 3861

Yes, the situation described in the original post can happen and has happened to me.

After my initial trumpet playing years long ago, I've comeback more than once.

The big thing with me was whether the performance "opportunity" of the moment was something that I really liked doing and wanted to put the time and effort into, or whether it was just somewhere to be playing. And for me, that made a big difference. I've been invited to play in some situations that I declined - primarily because I didn't think I would put in the time and effort due to lack of enough interest and motivation.

There was one situation long ago that I really liked. That group disbanded after a few years, as most will do eventually. Life situations for everyone involved went through some normal changes. The level of interest and desire to "keep on keeping on" changed a little over time for some of the players as well. I had many great times with that group, and made many great memories. We even had a reunion in 2014 after 42 years since our last gig, drew a big crowd, and it was a "magical" evening. It was almost like we had never quit playing. I'd do that again in a minute. We decided to do that reunion about 6 months ahead of time, and I practiced every day, knowing that evening was coming. Just like the "good old days". I'd say that one thing that really made a big difference was that we all had gone to school together and were all good friends.

If you can get involved playing music you like, with like minded people in similar life circumstances, and whom you can call friends, and you can find performance opportunities that are fun and rewarding (not just financially), you may have something great and worth the time and effort. Since playing trumpet wasn't a full time job for me at any time, I wanted to have some fun and the camaraderie of friends.

Speaking for me, I need the motivation of upcoming performance, and not just playing for my own amusement at home - that doesn't last long for me. And, I need to be really liking what I am doing - musically and the other people involved.

Otherwise, I will practice a little every so often, but the motivation leaves. For me, it's like riding a bicycle. The wheels must keep turning, or I'll fall off.

Best regards.

trickg · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 11:36 am Post subject:

Get a gig. Find a reason and purpose to play. I know that for me, with the life I lead, if I don't have some kind of gig on the horizon, I find it difficult to get behind the horn or drums - virtually ALL of my playing is gig-oriented.
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HornnOOb · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 6:11 pm Post subject:

Good advice and insights. Thank you, all.
_________________
I rode in on a horse and can't seem to get out of L.A.

Severinsen Destino 3*
1971 Getzen Eterna 900S Severinsen Model
1984 Getzen Eterna 896 Flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special Cornet

Denis Wick 1C Heavytop
Getzen Flugel 3C