Milestones!

[RDWII]

Well, after nearly 15,000 days off, I have now played (if you can call it that) for THREE days straight! woohoo! What a ratio! lol

I am noticing a lot of leakage, but I assume that will go away over time. I am spending all my time in that first octave.

I also notice that the fingers, when on slow motion, remember the fingerings. However the muscle memory for more rapid movement seems to be powered by molasses. This, in time, too.

Looking forward to the day I can call myself a trumpet player again!
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Getzen 900s-LB, 1977

[zaferis]

Welcome back!
This would be a great time to get a few lessons in with a reputable teacher. Just to reinforce good habits and to avoid bad ones. IMO this will help you avoid pitfalls and frustrations.
IMO important especially when restarting is not WHAT you play, but HOW you play.

And keep up the DAILY sessions! Short and sweet on a daily basis is WAY better than large chunks infrequently.

Cheers
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Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[cbtj51]

Save yourself from the taking the long way home, find a teacher(s) even if it's only for an objective opinion and direction, by all means!

IMO, Bai Lin Lip Flexibilities #1, 2, and 3 are great for getting your sound focused. I use a metronome set at 80 bpm, fermata the last note (just right for long tones) and sing the exercise that I just played between positions, thereby getting the appropriate rest period and good ear training as well as a basic warm-up every day. Looks simple, but can be challenging to play with a great sound. Can work wonders if used consistently! The digital format for iPad includes recordings of Jim Wilt, a TH member, playing many exercises:
http://www.balquhiddermusic.com/brass-studies/2ymttrxkb3pda3f4u1uqqsr3xd7vy8

I am a comebacker as well!

Mike
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No reserve, No retreat, No regret. W W Borden

'71 LA Benge 5X Bb Trumpet
'76 & '98 Getzen 895S Flugelhorns
'76 Bach Strad CL 229/25A C Trumpet
'84 Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
2016 Bach Strad New York 7 Bb Trumpet
Reeves 41 Rimmed Mouthpieces

[RDWII]

[mrhappy]

[50YrComeback]

I'm in 10 weeks. Initially, I was amazed that I could actually play a little. With all of the internet resources and an old Arban book, who needs lessons? Of course, I was moving my lips all over the MPC to move up and down the scale. I convinced myself this must be the "Balanced Embouchure" I have read about on the internet and high C is just around the corner. These sour, airy notes would quickly be dialed in pitch perfect with just more playing. My occasional good tone was a good sign of things to come. Of course, I was getting this tone by playing the volume of a freight train horn and using enough air to blow out birthday candles 10 feet away. I'll just need to stick pencil in my mouth and the chops will be back to the old days.

After 4 weeks of slobbering around the MPC, I gave in to the reality I that I needed to have some instruction.

So, that's the advice. I know there is SKYPE but frankly, I think at least the first couple of lessons need to be in person. Even if you have to drive 100 miles for 2-3 lessons, it would be worth it. Call the high school band directors, etc., get some names. Get somebody that's a real trumpet player/teacher that teaches both beginner and intermediate students.

You can make some progress on your own, but sustainable progression needs to be rooted on good fundamentals. We forget how we learned. I'll bet there is not one Comeback Player out there that regrets having lessons and all would wish they hadn't waited as long as they did.

That's my 2 cents.
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GaryF
"I'm probably not as good as I used to think that I was"

50 year layoff
Giardenelli 812S (a/k/a Amati ATR-604HS)
CarolBrass CPT-1000 Mini Trumpet