Smoking and Trumpet playing

Finnball · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: Smoking and Trumpet playing

Yeah yeah I know it. I´m an idiot.
I would like to hear stories from trumpet players who used to smoke, then quit, and can now play twice as well!
Does it work like that?
Is it the cause of all my stamina and range problems?
(btw, I dopractice and play at a relatively high level)
Any stories to motivate, tips or even a good boot in the ass?

Any replies greatly appreciated!

dershem · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

I have never smoked, but the leader of one of the bands I play in smoked for 50 years. A little over 2 1/2 years ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had half a lung removed.

He stopped smoking the day he was diagnosed, and now, after over 2 years of recovery and not smoking, plays more powerfully than he did before his cancer. He finds other things easier, and generally enjoys life more.
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crzytptman · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

Wouldn't you rather hear stories about people that have smoked, then quit and now live better? I'm sure that would help trumpet playing as well. It boggles my mind what people will do to their bodies as a result of corporate mind control. Don't be a victim.
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VetPsychWars · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject:

crzytptman · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

You can't have it both ways, Tom. Either agree or disagree - "they are controlling my mind with a powerful psychoactive chemical, but it has nothing to do with corporate mind control".
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jazz_trpt · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:

I smoked 2 packs a day for several years. I quit around 9 years ago and I'm alot stronger for it, I think. Of course, I think that anybody who's practicing thoughtfully should be stronger after 9 years of practice...

That's not why I quit, though. It's a nasty habit. Now it's expensive, too.

It's not really about playing better, it's being able to play at all later in life. Emphysema can make it really hard to play.
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mikeman7 · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

mikeman7 · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Smoking and Trumpet playing

nwtrumpet · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:57 am Post subject: Smoking and trumpet playing

When I was a sophmore in High School I was told I couldn't play in the dance/jazz band if I smoked. That did it for me! I have never smoked and I am thankful for the High School Band Director for invoking that rule. I am now 80 and my lungs are as good as ever.
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Wildman · Heavyweight Member Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 513

Stupid communist. Corporate mind control , my ass.

It is the Devil. Wake up! In the end times there wil be a strong delusion. I got news for all y'all, the delusion is here now. It is the end times.

mikeman7 · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject:

crzytptman · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject:

Finnball · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:40 am Post subject:

Wow, this has really turned into a heavy topic! I´m starting to think some of you guys have seen the Zeitgeist films

crzytptman · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:03 am Post subject:

The Zeitgeist films are baby food.
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mentalsanityoff · New Member Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 5

Honestly, I know a few trumpet players who smoke like chimneys, yet they're monster players - great range and stamina. Not to say it's helping you out, but I think you can get by if need be.

Finnball · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:16 am Post subject:

Mike L · Veteran Member Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 120

I used to smoke a pack a day.
(I started smoking chesterfields when I toured Scandinavia for a couple of years with a band that played Tom Waits music..)
One of the bands I play trumpet in is a extreme high-energy kind of music (basically like running a marathon at sprint pace) and I used to get totally exhausted after the gigs.
All of a sudden I stopped getting exhausted after the set and I could not figure out the reason why my stamina had improved out of nowhere.
Until the electronics-guy pointed out to me that I quit smoking..
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Finnball · Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:29 am Post subject:

plp · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:57 am Post subject:

There are five guys in our community band, 3 trumpets, one trombone, and one contrabass, whom ALL told me they didn't start really advancing until they quit smoking.

The first one, the contrabass guy, would go in and practice for 10 minutes every time he wanted a smoke when he was at home. He told one of the trumpet players about it, and when the trumpet player quit, he did the same thing, just put in the extra time in the woodshed to take his mind off smoking.

This motivated trumpet #2 to quit, not so he would lead a healthier life, but because trumpet #1 was waxing his butt in rehearsals! It turned into a competition, not only about playing, but about not smoking.

Quitting cigarettes is marketed as a negative, and associated with words like 'quitting, giving up, sacrificing. craving'. Make no mistake, it is marketing big time, as the Man is dependent on us to be nice little sheep and puff away.

These guys turned it into a macho competitive thing, that became a very positive motivation for them all to not smoke and develop as musicians. They rag on one another constantly at rehersal about So and So sneaking out for a smoke, or if one of them clams, another will say, "Light up another one, Beevis.."

They are brutal with those of us whom still smoke, and one has refused to give private lessons to anyone who smokes, myself included. Some might consider this elitist, but I can see where it would work as a motivational tool.
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Since all other motives—fame, money, power, even honor—are thrown out the window the moment I pick up that instrument..... I play because I love doing it, even when the results are disappointing. In short, I do it to do it.” Wayne Booth

Finnball · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:54 am Post subject:

Haha! Awesome!
Pity I´m the only trumpet player who smokes in our section.
May try it out with the lead trombone player if he´s up for it!
Thanks a lot for the cool story