Comeback Players - What's your story?

[Jlensgraf]

I happen to be a comeback player still square in the middle of his comeback. Starting in elementary school, I continued playing through high school - in marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, and even a ska band.

However, when I went to college I left my trumpet at home and never picked it up again - as I sadly let my father sell it during college. It was a unique horn that I regret letting go to this day and have yet to see again on the used market (Bach 37G with 1st Valve Trigger).

Fast forward to my late 30s in 2018. I picked up a used F. Bession International (Kanstul made) and slowly starting to get back into it on and off for a few years. It is only in the past 10 months that I've really picked up my practice and have stuck to it daily (for the most part). Combine that with several online lessons with two great teachers, and I am finally at a point where I feel my tone is back to what it used to be and my range is even better. My next step is to join some groups and start playing in that setting (Church, Community Band, etc). I see that happening in the coming years.

One of the biggest differences between my comeback and when I played before is practice. Before, I simply used all the time at school playing as my practice and rarely did it on my own. Today, I only practice on my own as I have not yet joined any groups. Today I also have access to all the great resources for trumpet players online and a nice little library of trumpet books (24 or and counting - I may have a problem). The one thing I've not gotten back yet is my musicality, but I'm working at it. I'm not looking to become a professional or make a living on trumpet. I just want to sound good and provide enjoyment for others when I play in public.

I cannot be the only one who has drawn inspiration reading the posts here on Trumpet Herald. And I think it would be nice to have a thread dedicated to comeback stories for me and other to continue to draw motivation and inspiration from. I did try to search for an existing thread like this in the forums but did not have any luck.

So, what is your comeback story?


p.s. regarding equipment - I grabbed a used Conn V1 earlier this year that I've been having a lot of fun playing. Any other Conn V1 players here?

[cbtj51]

[ECLtmpt2]

[kehaulani]

I'm a career-musician who has had forced lay-offs due to health.

Played until I got a hole in my ear drum on a deep-water Shark Safari in Hawai'i, and had to lay off about nine months.

Crawled my way back and then had two strokes. No playing for about two years I don't even remember.

Crawled my way back again, then had sight problems ​which included sightlessness for a while. Seven operations. Talk about terrifying (I live alone).

Been creeping my way back again.

I've got a series of Schlossberg exercises popular on the west coast way back when, designed especially for players coming back for one reason or another. Doing the best I can, but I guess my professional days have come to an end. So it's just me and Art Farmer on Flugelhorns playing jazz covers of Swedish folk songs. (Art wins.)
_________________
"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

[chef8489]

Well I started in second grade around 85 I think through high school and into the military some. I have had a few come backs and trying to do it again. I guess its on and off comeback over the past 20 years or so. Hopefully I will be able to really be able to do it for good this time.

[LittleRusty]

[kehaulani]