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rayhandri6859 New Member
Joined: 01 Aug 2021 Posts: 8
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 5:38 pm Post subject: What to do during a 1 month hiatus |
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Hello all,
I really want to keep my current chops and skills at trumpet (I'm a high schooler), but my family and I are going on a one-month vacation across the globe. I don't plan on taking my trumpet there because 1) I'm not going to get any time to play it and 2) It's too much of a hassle to carry it around since we're jumping from place to place. I really don't want to lose my chops, mainly because I want the 2 summer months after my vacation to be a time for improvement. Is there anything I can do?
Thanks |
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Trumpet Dynamics New Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2016 Posts: 7
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 5:56 pm Post subject: Use the break to your advantage |
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It may seem counterintuitive, but you should use this time to rest your chops and take your mind off trumpet. It will still be there when you get back, and you'll be able to get back to your current level of strength within 7-10 days.
You'll be glad you took the break, and trumpet will be much more enjoyable when you get back to it!
James Newcomb
trumpetdynamics.com[/url] |
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Billy B Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 6126 Location: Des Moines
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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1. Make time to practice.
2. Put up with the hassle. _________________ Bill Bergren |
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gwood66 Veteran Member
Joined: 05 Jan 2016 Posts: 301 Location: South of Chicago
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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What Bill said.
You can try to make the inconvenient as convenient as possible. Download some PDF method books onto an IPAD or tablet so that you don't have to lug those around. If you don't have a practice mute I would look into getting one. I am not a big fan of buzzing but as long as you don't overdo it you could do some light mouthpiece buzzing on days when you truly cant play.
A month is a long time to not play if you are serious about getting better. _________________ Gary Wood (comeback player with no street cred)
GR 66M/66MS/66**
Bach Strad 37
Getzen 3052
Yamaha 6345 |
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JoeLoeffler Veteran Member
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 243
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Go on your vacation and don’t worry about it. Have a good time. Enjoy your family and the opportunity to travel.
Make sure you are practicing diligently up until the break and be sure to start again as soon as you return. (Failure to do one or both of these will lengthen your break!) Your playing will recover quickly if you are structured about practicing on the other side of the hiatus. |
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Andy Cooper Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001 Posts: 1803 Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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You've been playing for 5 years. Your technique will not disappear in 4 weeks.
Leave the horn at home.
1. Do some daily P.E.T.E (Warburton) exercises or at least the pencil exercises.
2. Do some mouthpiece buzzing perhaps with a Buzzard (Warburton).
Not a lot - a minute or two each , a couple of times a day just to keep some muscle memory.
3. Take some solo transcripts and access to recordings of players you admire and a PDF copy of Arbans to read through and practice fingerings.
Mainly, enjoy your vacation. |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10202 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Give your chops the month off but keep your brain busy by reading Alex Ross’s “The Rest is Noise” or Paul Berliner’s “”Thinking in Jazz.” _________________ Jim Hatfield
"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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trpthrld Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4800
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Jan 2018 Posts: 1019 Location: East Asia
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Here are a few ideas:
(1) Get some trumpet recordings and make a goal of listening to famous players. A big part of playing is getting a sound concept. If there's a solo you like, you probably could almost memorize it.
(2) Find some brass-related destinations if you can. Where are you going?
I think doing something with a mouthpiece is probably too challenging/annoying. The idea to read some trumpet books is pretty good. |
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stuartissimo Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2021 Posts: 956 Location: Europe
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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BillyB’s comment may seem somewhat simplistic, but is pretty much on the money. Not playing for a month won’t ruin your chops (it may even be beneficial)…but if you really feel you want to keep up your practice regardless, then find a way to be able to practice (maybe with a pocket trumpet or cheaper beater). _________________ 1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces |
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Rapier232 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 1320 Location: Twixt the Moor and the Sea, UK
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2022 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Get yourself a CTS from Larry Meregliano (not sure on the spelling). It will keep your chops in shape and improve them. The Compression Training System works. _________________ "Nearly as good as I need to be. Not nearly as good as I want to be".
Smith-Watkins Bb
Will Spencer Bb
Eclipse Flugel
Smith Watkins K2 Cornet
JP152 C Trumpet
Besson Bugle |
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JayKosta Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 3275 Location: Endwell NY USA
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 4:42 am Post subject: |
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A minimal practice method would be to just 'form your embouchure' (no mouthpiece or lip buzzing, and no need to produce sound), and just go through the embouchure and tonguing actions that would be done while playing.
The usefulness of this is to keep the muscle and nerve actions active during the period of not playing. _________________ Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'. |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8910 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 11:26 am Post subject: |
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I generally can come back from a break in a few weeks' time. It's important to ease back and not try to force things. Keep your expectations in check so you don't get hurt, making your come-back take longer. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart |
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Vin DiBona Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 1473 Location: OHare area
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Bring your trumpet, mouthpiece, and a cup mute.
Practice whenever you have an opportunity.
One week would not make a difference. Two weeks would be a stretch, but three to four weeks would put you way, way back and it could take that nearly long to get your sound, fingers, and air movement back to what it was.
Even if you can only play once or twice a week, it it better than any "exercise"
or mouth maneuvering will be.
BillyB said it right.
R. Tomasek |
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falado Heavyweight Member
Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 933 Location: Eastern NC
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, I’m selling a pocket trumpet to finance a new horn for grad school. I take it on trips and use a Brass Spa practice mute. I just do some flexibilities and scale exercises when the wife takes her shower. I also have a P.E.T.E, but be cautious with that, make sure you do flexibility exercises after a rest period after using it.
Dave _________________ FA LA DO (Ab: V/ii) MUCS, USN (Ret.)
Stomvi VR (Reeves) with VR II Bell
Bach 239 25A C, Blueprinted
Bach 37, Early Elkhart, Blueprinted
Kanstul Flugel
Getzen 4 valve Pic.
Yamaha D/Eb
Besson Cornet |
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abontrumpet Heavyweight Member
Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1730
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in the leave it at home boat. If you are a junior going into senior year and you want to be a music major, then sure, put up with it.
As someone who was fanatical about practice (4 years of undergrad missed 2 days of practice even on month long vacations) it just wasn't worth it. The number of vacations I went on where all I could think about was "where am I going to practice today" and "am i bothering anybody by practicing [so I am going to play in a way that's not even beneficial for improving]" was way too much. It's really not worth it to not be present with your family while you still have them.
I'm good at mouthpiece so I take that, but if you're not/don't do it regularly, it won't be beneficial. Don't use a PETE if you haven't been using it regularly. The best alternative is taking a mouthpiece and leadpipe (harder to find used). That'll keep the neurons firing just fine. If you take a complete rest, it'll take about 3-4 weeks to get back on track but it's fine. Good time to create new really good habits. Listening to great players is super. Do it on flights and trains. |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 8965 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Lay down on the floor, face first. Then do pushups with your lips.
Actually, ear training and sight singing. Invaluable. Use your portable recoding/playback device, earbuds and some good software.
And BTW, don't put it all together and learn to use it at the last minute. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Getzen Capri Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2578
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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Lip isometrics would be a way to at least exercise the muscles of the embouchure and is something that can be done anytime.
I'd be concerned about the horn getting lost or stolen if you're going all over.
Something that I recommend in general is being as tuned in as possible to what's going on when you're playing - the alignment of the lips with the teeth, the horn angle, the tongue and throat, what's going on with the embouchure muscles as you play. If you have a strong awareness of that it's a lot simpler to go back to it instead of only having a vague awareness and hoping to fall back into it.
How advanced a player are you? What kind of things do you play, what kind of range do you have? _________________ Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C
Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Flugel |
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Denny Schreffler Veteran Member
Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 383 Location: Tucson
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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Take a month off and don't worry about it. You won't lose anything unless you're pushed (or push yourself) too hard, too soon when you get back.
—Denny
... who took a horn with him on a two-week canoe camping in the Everglades in 1971. I had a regular, five-hours-a-nite, six-nites-a-week gig waiting for me the day after I got back. |
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geraldwkoonce New Member
Joined: 29 May 2022 Posts: 1
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 6:47 am Post subject: Re: What to do during a 1 month hiatus |
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rayhandri6859 wrote: | Hello all,
I really want to keep my current chops and skills at trumpet (I'm a high schooler), but my family and I are going on a one-month vacation across the globe. I don't plan on taking my trumpet there because 1) I'm not going to get any time to play it and 2) It's too much of a hassle to carry it around since we're jumping from place to place. I really don't want to lose my chops, mainly because I want the 2 summer months after my vacation to be a time for improvement. Is there anything I can do?
Thanks |
I think you can also easily take some lessons on Zoom, this was discussed recently in one of the threads on this forum. I think you can also find a tutor here as well. But again, this is all on the assumption that there is good internet where you are going.
Last edited by geraldwkoonce on Tue May 31, 2022 9:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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