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stuartissimo Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2021 Posts: 993 Location: Europe
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:52 pm Post subject: Tips against overblowing due to nerves? |
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Last night during our orchestra’s final rehersal for our concert this weekend we had a different seating setup than we normally do. Though I was aware I was overblowing, and tried not to, I overexerted myself nonetheless (during normal rehersals its fine).
Anyone got any last minute tips to help mitigate it? _________________ 1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces
Last edited by stuartissimo on Fri Mar 10, 2023 2:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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If you're aware you're overblowing and you still do it what is anyone supposed to tell you besides learn to exercise better self control? _________________ 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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stuartissimo Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2021 Posts: 993 Location: Europe
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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I suppose that’s a fair point. Maybe it’s a confidence issue…or just overexcitement. For example, there a solo bit that starts p at an Ab above the staff. I’ve been nailing it everytime in the practice room last week, as well as during the regular rehersals. But I still flubbed it twice last night.
So a better question may be: how do I avoid panicking? _________________ 1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces |
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zaferis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 2334 Location: Beavercreek, OH
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:11 am Post subject: |
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preparation, preparation, preparation..
Practice how you will perform to mitigate the idea that the performance is different. We often practice the music but fail to practice the performance. (include everything in your prep.. i.e clothing/wearing a tie, water or tea to drink, sitting quietly during rests, etc)
Nerves are good, that means you care, expect them and use that energy to focus. Don't do different things, stick to your routine.
Focus on the music, playing like you practiced, no different.
It's not about you, it's about the music, commit to the music.
It's a performance, stuff happens.. get yourself in that zone where it's fun - you've done the rehearsing, take a breath and enjoy the music. _________________ Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman |
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jscahoy Veteran Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 415
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:22 am Post subject: |
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stuartissimo wrote: | Maybe it’s a confidence issue…or just overexcitement. For example, there a solo bit that starts p at an Ab above the staff. I’ve been nailing it everytime in the practice room last week, as well as during the regular rehersals. But I still flubbed it twice last night.
So a better question may be: how do I avoid panicking? |
Along with preparation, Perspective. Maybe you care too much. If clamming a note during a performance makes the list of top 100 worst things that ever happened to you, you've led a very charmed life. |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:27 am Post subject: |
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To paraphrase Yogi Berra, “Ninety percent of trumpet playing is mental, the other fifty percent is something else.” _________________ 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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Nonsense Eliminator Heavyweight Member
Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 5212 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:52 am Post subject: |
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zaferis wrote: | Practice how you will perform to mitigate the idea that the performance is different. We often practice the music but fail to practice the performance. (include everything in your prep.. i.e clothing/wearing a tie, water or tea to drink, sitting quietly during rests, etc) |
I think maybe the most critical part of this is avoiding thoughtless practice. It's easy to be casual in the practice room — slouching, doomscrolling Twitter, not really paying attention to what we're doing. In rehearsal maybe it's the same thing. Then we get to the dress rehearsal and we're sitting up and paying attention because that's the "right" way to do it — which it is! — but it's not how we've formed our habits so suddenly everything feels weird.
The other suggestion I'd make is that "don't overblow" is the wrong message to send yourself. Take a good breath and play it how you practiced it. _________________ Richard Sandals
NBO |
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Andy Cooper Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001 Posts: 1833 Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Overblowing would suggest that you are not getting enough feedback from your mouthpiece/horn selection in the new seating setup. It's a real external environmental problem not something caused by some failing in your practice.
If you are using bottom valve cap or mouthpiece weights, try going back to a stock setup. You would lose some projection but gain feedback.
Maybe change your stand position - distance, height, angle.
I would think your Getzen would give better feedback than the Olds (but my oh my what a lovely sound).
It's too late to do this now if you have a concert, but in the future you might experiment with playing with one earplug (just a cheap foam type) in orchestra.
Last edited by Andy Cooper on Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Play like you're singing. Odds are good that you wouldn't sing in any way that resembles overblown. _________________ "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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AndyDavids Veteran Member
Joined: 08 Jun 2020 Posts: 176
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Robert P wrote: | If you're aware you're overblowing and you still do it what is anyone supposed to tell you besides learn to exercise better self control? | This..."hey Doctor- it hurts when I do this" Doctor says, "Then don't do that. That will be $500 please!"
Seriously though, you perform how you practice- period. Change that first and the rest will follow! |
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stuartissimo Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2021 Posts: 993 Location: Europe
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:51 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for the replies. It’s been helpful. I guess I just needed to vent a bit…been putting a bit too much pressure on myself insisting everything must go perfectly this time. Which I realize now is silly. Funny how after 30 years of playing I still need that reminder every now and then.
I’m just gonna make sure I’m warmed up properly, and then like zaferis wrote, just play.
Thanks guys, I needed that. _________________ 1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces |
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JoseLindE4 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 791
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Depending on the sound environment, one or two ear plugs, even partially inserted might help with some internal feedback. Try it at home first to figure it out since playing with ear plugs can be a strange experience. |
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brassmoose Regular Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2022 Posts: 79 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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JoseLindE4 wrote: | Depending on the sound environment, one or two ear plugs, even partially inserted might help with some internal feedback. Try it at home first to figure it out since playing with ear plugs can be a strange experience. |
This. If you can use good earplugs that allow for some airflow, they are better for your ears & for balancing external sounds. Definitely use at home first, but these are great. I play in loud electric bands on small stages & whenever I use them I survive the show. Without them, I always seem to flub the last song. Notice the pressure you use with earplugs, take them out for a song & try to emulate that lighter pressure.
Also, if you're overblowing (as I always do), you're probably not opening your throat enough & not using your core (back/diaphragm/etc) enough--that is, you can't "turn up the gas" without overblowing.
I've also been interested in anti-pressure tools, too.... |
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Mike Sailors Heavyweight Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2012 Posts: 1838 Location: Austin/New York City
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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You have to make that way of playing (not overblowing) YOUR way of playing. People overblow because, well, that's how they play most of the time. Sometimes they remind themselves not to do it, and things get way better of course. However, a lot of people's fundamental way of playing involves a lot of exertion and a lot of blowing, so they're caught in a cycle of playing way too hard, backing off and getting some flexibility in their playing then overblowing again, etc. _________________ www.mikesailors.com |
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Just_Another_Hack Regular Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2023 Posts: 54 Location: USA
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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Have you tried...playing softer? _________________ Professional lower-split 3rd clarinet player. |
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Billy B Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 6130 Location: Des Moines
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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Let go of your ego and just make music. _________________ Bill Bergren |
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abontrumpet Heavyweight Member
Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1784
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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stuartissimo wrote: | …been putting a bit too much pressure on myself insisting everything must go perfectly this time. |
I suspect this might actually be the culprit. Most people are correct in suggesting it is the preparation and habituation process that needs to be corrected, however, for me, something always changed on the performance day vs rehearsals.
For me, I could blow the same, but have the sensation of "overblowing" because I had introduced a new level of lip tension, due to nerves, that had not been present in rehearsal. It would happen on the inhale: I would have very tight and tense lips on the inhale, which for some reason really effects the breath, and that resulted in the feeling that I was blowing much harder to achieve the same volume.
Personally, my habituation process involved in developing a repeatable set of steps for the inhale to rely on when my nerves were going to muck up my progress. "Overnight," my performance days were as good as the rehearsals. |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9033 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps you were also a little disorientated by your different placement in the band. Aside from the other advice here, maybe you also need to have your listening ears on 360 and also share your discomfort with the conductor and communicate with each other regarding how much you are blending and projecting. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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stuartissimo Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2021 Posts: 993 Location: Europe
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2023 10:20 am Post subject: |
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Concert was today and fortunately things went a lot better than during the rehersal. I made sure to warmup as I did at home and tried to remain calm and focused. I think that made a noticeable difference. Thanks for the support everyone! _________________ 1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces |
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Heinz Regular Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2022 Posts: 56 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Very reletable post. Nerves can take a good amount of skill and fun out of the playing. And frustratingly some people are just more nervous than others, and I am one of them.
Last weekend I had a gig I rehearsed well, the general rehearsal went well, but still some nerves in the first song of the gig. And when you start to think 'don't mess up this section', the mess up will be there. Then it's gone and the rest did go well. But after the concert I'm still obsessing over those damn missed notes.
It's wasted energy, but you gotta roll with it I guess. It's just hard to get routine in performing if you only play a couple of gigs a year. |
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