What’s the longest you’ve ever been without your trumpet?
For many of us, time away for the trumpet is torturous! Not to mention, it can be tough to put our chops back together when we return. Surely a break now and then is a good idea, but it's still challenging to be without for too long. What's the longest you've had to go without your horn, how did it feel, and how did you restart once you came back?
7 replies
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18 months due to ongoing medical anaesthetic operations
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Just got back from seven weeks bouncing around Vietnam. Bought and brought a pocket trumpet. Was never able to use it. Upon returning I found a whole new approach to trumpet. Relaxed face, easy release of air. Everything I have been working on unsuccessfully for many many years came together. Paradoxically, endurance almost instantly improved because I am now employing muscles on an as needed basis. Range same.
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Have been doing some globe trotting 2-3 week vacations. I take along my CTS embouchure exerciser and my PETE. I use the CTS for about 15 minutes each day and the PETE twice a day. Also some mouthpiece buzzing. This seems to be enough to keep my chops in good enough shape that I can get right back into a regular schedule of playing within 2 to 3 days of my return.
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I played consistently from elementary school to the end of my 22-year career as a musician in the USAF band program (1977 - 2012). I put the trumpet away for 11 years and started back up again in March 2023. Needless to say, I feel my embouchure changed when I started back up again. I managed to find the lesson plans my college teacher wrote out for me and tried to follow those to get back into shape. I have had some success but still have some of the same problems I had when playing all the time: accuracy, tonguing, finger dexterity and soft playing. I like playing but my practice sessions can be extremely frustrating. I need to find a good affordable teacher in my area to help with these issues and maybe I can get back into shape and even improve. Fingers crossed...