Coming back after 35 + years

[cheiden]

[Rdljr63]

My father was assistant Dean of students and was the one who got rich there! Id love to connect about this. I was there as well.

Isn't it amazing how a singular experience like that can stay with you for your entire life? As a high school freshman I was able to hear the Buddy Rich Big Band live with several of my "band geek" friends. South Georgia College, Douglas GA. How they came to stop and put on a show there is still mind-numbing to me... the gymnasium was packed with band kids from across the area. My drummer friend surreptitiously made a cassette recording and we wore that thing out, re-living the evening.[/quote]

[WxJeff]

Welcome to TH. Tell us about your recent playing experiences... how long were you "off?" Any group opportunities where you currently live?
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Kanstul F Besson International 800 Bb
Jupiter SCR-520

[Andy Cooper]

Sounds good to me. Some advice -
1. Get a better practice chair - no - really. Something like a "task chair" would do as long as you can adjust the back and height and allow you to sit in an upright position with lower back support. (At 75, I always thought my chops would give out first - wrong.)

2. See your eye doctor for a pair of glasses optimized for the distance from your eye to the music stand - 32" or so. Take music along for the test. Perhaps you will not need glasses - but a lot of older players do. (Get the anti-reflective coating.)

3. Look at improved lighting.

4. Avoid prolonged and really loud playing above the staff for the first year or so. Your technique will come back much sooner than underlying muscle strength so don't get sucked into playing first chair in a band for a while. Ensembles need strong 2nd and 3rd players - not just first chair players.

Uncharacteristically for me, I have no comment on your mouthpiece or trumpets - they seem to be working.

[Brassnose]

I came back after a 12, 13 year layoff in my forties, so much younger than some of you seem to restart. In spite of this, even at 42ish and in decent physical shape it took a while to build up the physical side of trumpet playing again. So, go slow, don’t try to be Maynard or Arturo (at least for a little bit ).

I’d definitely get a teacher — I have a lot of fun with mine. We’re both into modern jazz and also into gear, so beyond music I also learn a lot about cool horns (and get to try some out). It’s very useful to have someone hearing you play and showing things that go into hearing chords, looking at phrasing and articulation, and so on. One of the best things I learned from him is a clever way of practicing and to make efficient use of limited time besides work, family, and whatnot.

Also, most definitely make sure to have proper glasses and good lights with you. Someone else suggested this already and for me this has been a key change — with proper glasses and lighting I can actually focus on the music.

Finally (haha …): try to not go on a safari of any kind (horns, mouthpieces, mutes, gigbags, …) too early

Of course, I’d find a band to play. Also listen to as much music as you can — active listening, not just background music, has helped tremendously in my understanding of musical contexts, phrasing, attacks, dynamics, interplay between sections, etc. etc.
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2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

[WxJeff]

[rhatheway]

Like many others here, I picked up my horn just about a year ago after 35 years of not playing it. During that time I was always involved in music, but mainly on bass guitar, which is quite different from playing a horn. I have two horns, a 1968 Getzen Eterna Severinsen trumpet and a 1958 Conn Director 14A cornet. Believe it or not, those are both my original horns that I first learned to play on many, many decades ago. And yes, they both needed major cleaning before they were playable again.

I joined a community band and I'm pretty pleased with my progress in the last 10 months. Of course, my endurance and range still isn't as good as I'd like it to be, but I know that will come with time. And practice. Our director is really good and pushes us to play much more difficult music than you might think a community band would attempt, but I like that because that makes me have to work harder. It aso helps me improve quicker too.

I joined TH earlier this month and have already posted a lot of questions because it seems so much has changed since I last picked up my horn. I can tell you I've already learned a lot more than I knew the last time I picked up my trumpet because the members here are great and are always willing to answer questions, provide resources, give suggestions, etc., so this is a great forum to find! Especially for those of us who haven't played for a long time.
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Richard H
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Working on getting my chops back...

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

1968 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1958 Conn Director 14A

[rhatheway]

[MLGaudet]

Such good comments. I am about 1 year into my comeback. It has been a thrill. Joined the local concert band and have had a teacher since starting back up. I use 1.5 readers and that seems to work for me with the music stand pretty close to me. Lighting is critical to be able to see the sheet music. May consider an Ipad for the music sheets with the ability to change the size of the sheet.
My brother sent me his unused Bach Strad 37 and I refurbished it. Really impressed with this horn. It is optimal for the concert band trumpet section playing. I still think my Selmer Radial is better for small group Jazz ensembles.
I usually practice almost every day. Range and tone is coming back nicely.
Get the Bach when you can.
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1973 Bb Selmer Paris Radial 2
1978 Bb Bach Strad Model 37
1980 G DEG Dynasty II 2 valve bugle w/ 1st valve slide spring
Bach 1.5C
Schilke 14A4A
Eastrock 3C