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JazzMaven New Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2018 Posts: 1 Location: PA
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:21 am Post subject: Coming back, need direction. |
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I last played trumpet seriously in 1967. College, career, kids, etc. just seemed more important.
Started out on tuba (!) in 4th grade, added cornet/trumpet in 8th. Took private lessons mostly in Arban book. In HS, played trumpet in jazz band, then concert band (director needed me on "lead" tuba until somebody else could be found). Was primary soloist in stage band and high note specialist once I worked up to a high F. Went to college and they needed tuba players so...
Started on a Conn Director cornet, went thru a Bach Mercury cornet. Looking for a British mellow sound that eluded me. Finished on an Olds Mendez trumpet with a Mt. Vernon 7c with an S throat. I loved that horn and still have it.
I am now trying to decide if I want to pick up the horn again. I have nearly full dentures and probably much less breath support (I was a competitive swimmer from 7th grade). I don't know about equipment or even my wife can tolerate the sound levels. Also, if I take it up, I want to play, not just practice.
Comments? Suggestions? _________________ 1965 Olds Mendez
Mt Vernon 7C S |
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Christian K. Peters Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2001 Posts: 1531 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:40 am Post subject: Play again |
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Hello jazzmaven,
Welcome back. Dust your horn off and just start playing. You might need to take it to a local tech for a good cleaning and maintenance if the slides are stuck. Get a teacher and get yourself to the point were you can join a community concert band, maybe a New Horizons group...There may be one close to you. They are a membership organization for people just like you. Be patient with yourself, because cognitively you are still in your twenties, and remember the glory days. Your physical apparatus has greatly been altered with age, you mentioned dentures. Good luck and take it slow. Remember you want the enjoyment of playing. Equipment can come later when you see there is a future. _________________ Christian K. Peters
Schilke Loyalist since 1976 |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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FWIW, after a 10-year hiatus, I ultimately found my way to the local community college. Their jazz band had a number of players whose sound I really liked. I quizzed them on their private teacher, turns out they all studied with the same guy, and that's how I got back into playing and took my playing to a whole new level.
It'd be good to take a least a lesson or two with a pro to make sure your gear is up to snuff and that you're adjusting reasonably to playing with the dentures. If a few lessons keep you from starting down a dead-end path it's more than worth it.
Welcome back! _________________ "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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GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:22 am Post subject: |
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I played for 12 years ( started 1953 ) before I quit in 1965 ( reasons similar to yours ). I started playing again in March 2016 and had all the usual old age related issues like arthritis, etc., along with full upper dentures. Nothing was easy but I was playing well enough to join, in September, the local Horizons as first chair trumpet. I am two years now and still working on issues, and due to my age I will never be as good as I was in the 50s and 60s, but I think I may be a little bit smarter. Anyway, I really didn't hit my stride as a youngster until 1957 so I know I still have a way to go, but I am having the time of my life. And I will never quit again.
Go for it, Jazz Maven !!!!!! _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9030 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.
Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.
Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.
Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.
Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.
Sixth, join a band.
Seventh, have fun! _________________ 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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Richard III Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2655 Location: Anacortes, WA
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Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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What do you have in your area for performance possibilities? Are there venues? Are there bands to join? Do you have to form your own? Are there other players? _________________ Richard
King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece |
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GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 3:09 am Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.
Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.
Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.
Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.
Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.
Sixth, join a band.
Seventh, have fun! |
Now this says it all...great advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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BGinNJ Veteran Member
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 380
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Long tones.
(Nobody mentioned that yet!).
Absolutely, get the horn cleaned up, find a teacher, find a band.
But the first step is to put the horn on your face and play a few notes.
Maybe do it when no one's around so you don't feel self conscious or get any complaints. |
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trickg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2002 Posts: 5681 Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 7:52 am Post subject: |
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So I'm going to throw a monkey wrench into what has thus far been a fairly positive thread about how to go about picking the horn back up.
One of the things that you should consider is whether or not you are ready to deal with the frustrations that are most certainly going to come if you decide to try to pick things back up.
You also need to really ask yourself why you want to pick things back up, as well as to try to define a goal for where you think you want to go.
I bring these things up because it's going to be a struggle for you to regain the level of proficiency you had years ago. Your chops are going to have to be rebuilt almost from scratch, and you have the added challenge of dealing with dentures. This is going to take time - maybe a full year or two - before you get to a place where you'll feel comfortable enough with your skills to put yourself out there in a performance.
And that's another question by itself - do you intend to get involved in a community band, or some other performance outlet? I know that in my case, I practice to perform, and without a performance outlet, I have a hard time maintaining the discipline to keep up with my chops. Fortunately I gig regularly, so maintaining the motivation to keep things in order is less of a challenge.
How long are you willing to slog away in the practice room to get yourself back to a level of proficiency where you can go out and find a performance outlet?
I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, because making music with other people is massively rewarding, but there are definitely some things you should consider and be honest with yourself about before embarking on the journey to start playing again. _________________ Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
- Brasspire Unicorn C
- ACB Doubler
"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP |
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GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 2:59 am Post subject: |
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Patrick make some really good points here. Taking the horn up again after a really long hiatus is, as Patrick said, starting from scratch. You will have days when you question your sanity, but if the real desire is there playing again can be a truly rewarding experience. For me it was a case of needing a purpose in life after losing my wife to cancer and music and the trumpet filled that need. After 2 years of ups and downs, I remain committed and determined. If you feel this way, too, then go for it. _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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ButchA Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 139 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:41 am Post subject: |
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GeorgeB wrote: | jhatpro wrote: | First, don’t worry about dentures. They didn’t hold Roy Eldridge back.
Second, find a good, jazz- oriented teacher.
Third, go slow. Practice in short sessions whenever you can.
Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music.
Fifth, invest in a Yamaha silent brass. It will let you play anytime.
Sixth, join a band.
Seventh, have fun! |
Now this says it all...great advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
I agree with George! An upper denture plate didn't hold me back!
Lots of us comeback players are always playing... I played trumpet in grade school in the late 60's, switched to french horn, back to trumpet, etc... then got braces in high school and switched to euphonium & doubled on trombone too (bigger MP). When the braces came off, I returned to trumpet.
Then I ended up putting away the trumpet, strapping on an electric guitar and rocked out as a lead guitarist for quite a number of years. I finally got back into trumpet once my daughters got into school band and I slowly returned. I got more and more serious into playing once I joined The Shriners and became a member of their band here in town.
In a nutshell: You can do it! Never ever get discouraged and say, "I can't do it", because deep down in your heart, you can still play! _________________ 1967 Holton Collegiate Trumpet --> my grade school band trumpet. I just can't part with it!
1975 Olds Ambassador Cornet --> my new/used eBay special. Sounds great!
2018 Regiment WI-800 Bugle --> my inexpensive Chinese made bugle from Amazon. |
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GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:09 am Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | Fourth, every day play both fundamentals and music. |
I meant to add a comment on the fourth item in Jim Hatfield's Do-List.
As a youngster, along with some study time in a music conservatory, I also took lessons fom one of the best Trumpet players in Eastern Canada and he said the same thing Jim did: play both fundamentals and music every day because playing music is the reason we do fundamentals in the first place.
I spend as much time playing tunes every afternoon as I spend every morning on fundamentals. _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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iiipopes Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 555
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 5:34 am Post subject: |
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I can only add, in harmony with the great steps jhatpro posted above, even if you have to drive, contact your regional university to see if they have a trumpet faculty member that fulfils the seven steps posted above. Good luck! _________________ King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet |
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enviroman22 Regular Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2018 Posts: 66
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 9:13 pm Post subject: Give it a go! |
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I also after 25 years came back. It was just like riding a bike. (Actually, that's how I lost my two front teeth to begin with ). Just have to put time in patiently developing stamina.
I lost my two front teeth and didn't think I could play really any more. Boy am I surprised. I've been playing with bands since 2015 and just got my grade-school 1965 Olds Ambassador refinished! Just plays beautifully. Now, about that stamina....lol. We have a gig next Saturday so I have my work cut out for me. I've been using Olds Ambassador cornets while my trumpet was out. I was playing with a 1967 Bach Stradavarius Model 37 but it was starting to get beat up so I got it refinished and it stays at home now.
Back to the missing two front teeth. I learned years ago about Fixodent the hard way. I just use Fixodent and everything stays put. I've tried playing with the flipper out and it works so that was encouraging. Although I wouldn't want to do it all day every day because the surrounding teeth would tend to close in.
After a band asked for a trumpet player I started practicing/playing for them and it works for them. They love it. I have lots of idiosyncrasies but we're getting paid and everybody loves it. I don't play loud. I sing.
Oh! P.S. I use a Bach 7C mp due to it's great nonslip grip. Bite, whatever they call it. It doesn't slide all around like most do. I believe it's part of the 7C design.
Anyways it works. Give it a go!
Last edited by enviroman22 on Sat May 12, 2018 4:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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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 May 11, 2018 8:34 am Post subject: |
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Hey enviro, great 1st post. Welcome to TH! _________________ 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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iiipopes Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 555
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 6:09 am Post subject: |
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And since the OP started on tuba, if trumpet doesn't work out, there are always many more openings and requests for a good tuba player than a trumpet player, as I have experienced myself over the decades. _________________ King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet |
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