Needing to start from scratch

LCV · New Member Joined: 12 Apr 2020 Posts: 3

After playing for ~8 years, then taking a break for ~4, I'm now returning to the trumpet. Despite playing for so many years I never got very good, with very poor dynamics and a range going up only to G on top of the staff. I suspect that I never learned to play properly - instead of developing my embouchure muscles, I think I was just pressing the horn harder into my face to hit the notes.

So now I'm returning to trumpet, better informed than I was when I started as a kid, and with the freedom to start from scratch. I'm focusing a lot on sound quality, putting minimal pressure on my lips, and really thinking about how my muscles form and control the embouchure. While I can go back to my old ways and still hit F on the top line, with this new approach I feel a bit of a burn even at G in the staff, and I can't get a nice C consistently. No different then when I first started, I suppose.

If anyone here's gone through a similar process, or has tips for someone who is, I'd be grateful for any advice. I've ordered a few of the well-recommended books like Irons', Arban's, and Clarke's, and plan to slowly work through them over the next couple years. Regardless though, thank you to everyone on this forum who's been posting for the past 15 years - this website has been a goldmine for me lately, I've learned so much by reading through old topics and it's really inspired me to get back to the trumpet.

Dayton · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:47 am Post subject:

zaferis · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:40 am Post subject:

get some instruction.

I'd say that you're really not "starting from scracth", as you've played for several years, even after a break, there is some mental and physical memory of the trumpet.
If there are "bad" habits (physical and mental) they will have to be worked through.

It's not what you play, but how you play it.. the approach to playing, and the eye/ear of a knowledgable coach to keeep you from straying into poor habits.

get some instruction.
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JayKosta · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Needing to start from scratch

kehaulani · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:33 am Post subject:

I used to play trumpet in college and professionally, then played woodwinds for several decades, had a couple of strokes where my left hand is not effective, so returned to trumpet. It has been slow going.

Not exactly a paragon of pedagogy but someone who's situation I relate to, is Chet Baker's after he got his teeth bashed in. The first thing he mentioned when asked about his comeback to playing was "Long Tones". I think this is universal and I didn't notice your mentioning it. If you're not doing them, I encourage you to start.

He also referred to methods like you're already playing. Arban can be really convoluted. if you don't have a clear path to how to balance it's various sections out, so I also recommend Eric Bolvin's "The Arban Manual" to help you through it. And I would consider Vincent Cichowitcz' "Long Tones". (Mistakenly often called "Flow Studies").
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LCV · New Member Joined: 12 Apr 2020 Posts: 3

Thanks all, a teacher is definitely something I'll have to try to look into. I've never had a teacher before (class teachers never actually gave advice), so I'm a little nervous about if good ones can be found without breaking the bank, but I'll start looking.

Thanks for the book recommendations as well, I'll see if I can find those. Definitely will be working on long tones! Seems like that's really crucial to developing embouchure strength.

Appreciate the tips about lip usage, I don't think I ever moved my lower jaw while playing before so I'll start to work on that approach.

cheiden · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:48 am Post subject:

I was self-taught and played for a decade followed by a decade long break. When I restarted I got back all my old habits and limitations. I'd be very surprised if you will have any more success than your first outing without at least a couple of lessons with a pro. Yeah for me it was VERY uncomfortable to seek out a pro player but it made all the difference in the world. Do it.
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kehaulani · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:13 am Post subject:

JayKosta · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:21 am Post subject:

LCV · New Member Joined: 12 Apr 2020 Posts: 3

Thanks everyone, I might try contacting the music department at my local university and see if they have any recommended teachers.

In the meantime, thanks for the advice about lower lip usage. Between what you guys have written here, and what's discussed in the first exercises of Irons, I've found that by bringing the lower lip up a bit I can generate high notes in the staff with ease. It's a little freaky really - if this is how you're supposed to play it's such a shame I'd never figured it out earlier. Playing C and E in the staff is absolutely effortless and musical with little mouthpiece pressure, and G on the staff is as clear as I've ever been able to play it. It'll take time to train myself to get a good attack and feel for this way of playing of course, but I'm shocked at how natural it feels already.