Questions on the comeback community

[Cuso]

Hi all,

After a 30 year break, I hit life's reset button and now am 3 months into "THE RESTART".

Day 1 was like I couldn't play a note, and now I've built up enough chops to actually start practicing a routine based on Iron's, Clarke's & Arban's.

The questions that have arised:

1). If you're still playing your 50 year old horn, have you found it inferior to modern equipment?

2). Have you forgotten how to breathe properly?

3). Did it take you 6 weeks until you had enough chops to start double tonguing?

4). How long did you wait until you played your first gig?

Of course the questions are general in nature, however any answers would be greatly appreciated.
_________________
YTR 8310Z III
YTR 8335 LAS II
'72 Benge 3X
Couesnon Flugelhorn
Yamaha YTR-9820 Piccolo

[kehaulani]

1). If you're still playing your 50 year old horn, have you found it inferior to modern equipment?
All three of my trumpets are vintage but I have owned new horns, too. I personally haven't found a difference because of age.

2). Have you forgotten how to breathe properly?
No. And unlike some Forum members who want to micro-analyze this question, I think it's quite simple.

Did it take you 6 weeks until you had enough chops to start double tonguing?
You can work on it immediately,

How long did you wait until you played your first gig?
How do you define "gig"?
_________________
"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

[Cuso]

Thanks for the answers.

[Dayton]

Welcome back to trumpet playing!

[trickg]

[Craig Swartz]

The answers to all of your questions, and more, will depend upon the goal(s) you've set for yourself in your return to playing. If you have a performance/gig in mind in the near future, you'll need to be quite focused to accomplish your necessary skill level and endurance.

If, on the other hand, you just have become bored being a spectator rather than a participant, who cares? Get back to playing and see where it takes you.

Your redevelopment will likely depend heavily upon the amount of time you set aside for your playing. I've always referred to "playing" rather than "practicing" for obvious and childish reasons. Even if you are only to be able to play the things you did 30 years ago, that probably wouldn't be all that bad in itself. If you can make improvements, all the better.

How ever you approach it, I suggest that you keep personal enjoyment and satisfaction as primary goals. Try not to make it "work". I have too many colleagues who had performance careers that no longer touch their instruments since retirement. I feel sorry for them. Good luck, and all the best!

[Quadstriker]

[trickg]

[Cuso]

Hey, thanks a lot guys! Nice to know there is still some humor amongst us geezers.

I used to play for a living but after my daughters arrived, I needed to get a somewhat secured job to keep everyone fed. As at the beginning of the 1990's sequencers & synthesizers started to replace horns in dance bands (which always paid better than fun jobs), I had to make a life choice.

Amor Fati. Never regretted that decision, but the only job I could do kept me busy on Saturdays & Sundays. As family life moved into the forefront, Trumpet playing just kind of faded away.

Back in the mid 80's and after a season in a circus here in Germany, I had to rebuild. So I know how to do it, I know what routines effected that process, and I remember how the progress felt. It now feels like it did about halfway through the ordeal so I've taken the leap of faith and have done 2 gigs (Tower of Power/BS&T style cover band) without totally killing myself.

That being said(written), here is some expansion on my questions:

I tested a YTR-8335LA S 2nd Gen (amongst others) and discovered that both of my Benge 3X's are no longer serviceable. One is long overdue to be put to pasture, and the one I've been using just doesn't provide the efficiency that I need. To pay so much to have it overhauled for a marginal improvment just doesn't make sense to me. Done. Ordered the new axe and it'll be here this week. Feel like I'm 8 years old and my father is bringing me a baseball home from a Cub's game.

Breathing (HaHa...are we dead yet?) has become a active issue to get through any passages of moderate length. I almost always feel like I need to exhale excess CO2 during long tones...it's not like I need to inhale to take in O2...but to expel CO2. Probably just overthinking a natural process.

The double tonguing issue concerns splatty attacks, which could be weak chops, my 13A4A mouthpiece, or a combination of the two. This mostly happens above the staff so I think I'll grow out of the issue.

I need to play on stage, with and for real people. I know it's just my ego but there is nothing that feeds that monster like burning through the coda and ripping off of that last high note.

It was once said that some musicians despise lead players because of their egos and to them I say; when you've worked hard enough to play a Broadway/Vegas lead book, day after day until the show has run it's course, you've earned the right to feed the beast.

And have a cold one.
_________________
YTR 8310Z III
YTR 8335 LAS II
'72 Benge 3X
Couesnon Flugelhorn
Yamaha YTR-9820 Piccolo

[lschofield]

1). If you're still playing your 50 year old horn, have you found it inferior to modern equipment?

Here's my rap on new v old:

There were obviously a lot of great horns of old, otherwise all the new stuff wouldn't be so derived and copied and in some cases produced on the same machinery. I think in the past quality control was the bigger issue; what impresses me most about new equipment is how consistent new equipment is from horn to horn, and how good low cost equipment is. It used to be that you had to play a lot of horns in the store to find the right one or avoid a lemon, but my most recent purchases surprised me that none of the ones I tried were bad, just different.

I have a 75 LA Benge 2, and the only reason I shopped was that the lead pipe is rotting out. I bought two new horns, but a big driver was that the kind of music I want to play has shifted, my Benge is a very bright horn. It was great for dance music, but hard to get a dark sound out of it. But I would have not shopped if the Benge wasn't in danger.

2). Have you forgotten how to breathe properly?

No, the big issue is the physical aspects of playing at 60 v playing at 20. Recovery takes longer, endurance isn't nearly as good. But, the one good thing about the long layoff is that I picked up the horn without remembering the bad habits. My range is way better, I never got three octaves out of the horn when I was young. And, my practicing is a way more efficient use of time as I recognize better what to focus on.

3). Did it take you 6 weeks until you had enough chops to start double tonguing?

Maybe, I remember the first year was very frustrating as everything was in my head but nothing came out the horn. First 6 weeks for me was mostly long tones with very little time for tongue drills.

4). How long did you wait until you played your first gig?

I have not done a paying gig, and that's not the motivation for me. I waited two years before I did something in pubic, and it was an improve camp with about 80 other adults of varying skills levels. But, it gave me the confidence that I had recovered a lot of my ability and I have played publicly in jam sessions since.


Best of luck in your journey. Mine's been more than I had hoped.
_________________
2018 Schilke HC2
2017 Schilke Flugelhorn
2017 Tromba (blue plastic)
1975 Benge (LA)
1972 Olds Ambassador

[kevinh8swriting]

I played very seriously through middle school and high school, doing youth orchestra, regional and all state band, and a summer in what became the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduating HS in 2005, I played a bit in rock bands through my college years. Then I largely put the horn down for a solid decade before picking it back up in January 2020. For about three years I've noodled around, seeing rapid improvement at first and then a disappointing plateau. In the past 3 months I've been diligent about eating my vegetables, so to speak--that is, establishing a solid routine that will build a better foundation for improvement.

1). If you're still playing your 50 year old horn, have you found it inferior to modern equipment?

My horn is a Yamaha 6335HGSII that my parents bought me in 2000 or 2001. I also had a Xeno C trumpet that was purchased a couple of years later, and that I kick myself nearly every day for getting rid of. But I consider my equipment modern and very playable.

2). Have you forgotten how to breathe properly?

I sure had. For some reason I was very prone to a sort of breath vibrato that sounded terrible and was the opposite of the type of exhale we strive for.

3). Did it take you 6 weeks until you had enough chops to start double tonguing?

Multiple tonguing was always my weak point. I'd say I was about as good as I ever was within 6 weeks. I'll be adding multiple tonguing to my routine soon and I have no doubt I'll soon be better with it than I ever was.

4). How long did you wait until you played your first gig?

Haven't played out yet. My family is moving cross-country soon, and my goal is to join a community concert band upon arrival.

[JFisher63]

My story at age 60: I began playing in middle school 1975 continued through HS graduation in 1981 (a Bundy Selmer student horn circa 74?) From HS I put the horn away & enlisted in the US Air Force as Security Police. After 6 yrs I got out, attended college, then grad school, & eventually started playing trumpet again in my 30s (bought a 1951 F.E. Olds Ambassador LA horn). But life got really busy at age 41 & I transitioned back to the Air Force, this time as an officer & active duty chaplain. As a chaplain my guitar hobby took the place of the trumpet. At times I was a one man worship team in the field & it’s easier to lead singing & accompany with a guitar than with a trumpet & a MPC against your lips! I retired in 2020 with 22 yrs service. Five months ago I took the plunge & became a “comeback” player.

1). If you're still playing your 50 year old horn, have you found it inferior to modern equipment?

I still have the student Bundy Cornet & it’s sweet for a student horn. Had it serviced by pro in Orlando, FL who was amazed at its sound & quality & it's almost 50 yr old horn. Because of the LA Ambassador I bought 20+ yrs ago, I’ve fallen in love with the F.E. Olds horns. At my age with more disposable income I’ve purchased several Olds horns - from entry level Ambassadors to top of the line Mendez & horns dating from 1939 to 1968. They all have their specific personalities. I also picked up a Yamaha C trumpet (circa 1977) but I am not yet to “C” level abilities on range. The big thing I’ve found in equipment is I’ve out grown the old standard 7C MPC. I believe I am settling in on 3C or 3E as my go to MPC lately after playing around with different MPCs.

2). Have you forgotten how to breathe properly?

Breathe control has taken some focus. Learning to not take in too much & holding it, but finding the right balance in breathe. Also learning to skim the music and realize my breathing dynamics depending on the note value and pitch etc.

3). Did it take you 6 weeks until you had enough chops to start double tonguing?

I’ve never had tonguing issues – so no biggie for me on doubles.

4). How long did you wait until you played your first gig?

I am still working into when I am going to “unveil” to public – My wife recently said, “Hey you’re really getting better” as she listened to me practice in an adjacent room (sans practice mute even!) I’ve never been big on "performance for show" - but I've been more "performance out of necessity" because I was a chaplain & I am now a civilian clergy once again. Also, despite my career, I am a natural introvert. Lastly, there’s no big rush or need for my abilities. I am surrounded by 6 excellent musicians who can run circles around me. Multi-talented, they're skilled in keyboard, guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, flute, sax, vibes, various percussion, Irish whistle, & even bagpipe! And about any genre/style of music you can name! Oddly, there’s no brass players. So we will see at what point I am brave enough to sit in on something. They’re all aces at on the spot transposition – I skill I need to acquire.