Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown
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@tmd said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
I've starting playing outdoors with my trio this month. We had our second gig today, which we livestreamed, and used to raise money for local causes. My first real post-COVID gig (unless things change) is early July. It will be an outdoor gig.
Mike
Mike, I was there for the first one AND JUST LOVED IT. Don't get me wrong as your piano playing is superb, but I would have loved to have heard you on more trumpet. Perhaps if you need help, you can fly me out your way and I will cover the trumpet while you play the keyboard, right?
Allora Pocket Trumpet 2014
Harrelson Summit 2017
Kanstul 1526 2012
Getzen Power Bore 1961
Getzen Eterna 4-Valve Fulgelhorn 1974
Martin Committee 1946
Olds Super Recording 1940
Olds Recording (LA) 1953
Olds Recording (Fullerton) 1967
Olds Ambassador 1965 -
Staying in shape is a process. Currently we are replacing certain opportunities with others and this can affect our playing in a serious way.
When we play in large rooms (bandroom or concert venues), what reaches our ears is considerably different than playing with a mute or in a small practiceroom/bedroom.We need to find larger spaces to practice in. That promotes tone and the servo loop Player/horn->room->ears/brain. We are creatures of habit. Improve our habits and our playing becomes more stable. Even playing outdoors is a BIG help s tone has an opportunity to develop.
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@Dr-GO said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
@tmd said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
I've starting playing outdoors with my trio this month. We had our second gig today, which we livestreamed, and used to raise money for local causes. My first real post-COVID gig (unless things change) is early July. It will be an outdoor gig.
Mike
Mike, I was there for the first one AND JUST LOVED IT. Don't get me wrong as your piano playing is superb, but I would have loved to have heard you on more trumpet. Perhaps if you need help, you can fly me out your way and I will cover the trumpet while you play the keyboard, right?
Thanks Gary. I've been playing more keyboard. This was driven in part by my using a vocalist on more gigs. Half my gigs last year were keyboard gigs. But I enjoy playing both trumpet and piano.
For the outdoor first gig, I opted to go with no (aersolizing) wind instruments. So I did that gig on the piano, with a guitar and bass rounding out the trio. For the second gig this past weekend, it was me on piano, with sax and bass. But anytime you want to sit in on trumpet, you're more than welcome to do so.
Mike
Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns. -
@Kehaulani
A whole bottle ...or maybe even two...
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@flugelgirl said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
One thing to remember is that when you get back into those rehearsals, especially with amateur groups, your endurance will suffer even if you’ve been practicing. Adjusting (or trying to!) to other folks intonation will tire you out faster, especially since a lot of them will not have kept up their practice habits, so don’t get too discouraged once you go back.
You are so right. It will be tough, and I know for a fact that most of the members haven't touched their instruments since the shut down.
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@tmd said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
... anytime you want to sit in on trumpet, you're more than welcome to do so.Mike
Sure you want me coming spewing trumpet spittle? Perhaps will come with protection as below:
Substituting trumpet for bear bottle... but can do both you know! -
And see... This is what I mean... We are back in the saddle again in Ohio. Just called by the drummer to play with what was originally billed as a trio. So the gigs are spilling in for June:
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@ROWUK said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
Staying in shape is a process. Currently we are replacing certain opportunities with others and this can affect our playing in a serious way.
When we play in large rooms (bandroom or concert venues), what reaches our ears is considerably different than playing with a mute or in a small practiceroom/bedroom.Great observation. Worth repeating.
Mike
Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns. -
@tmd
I've always found that anything Robin has to say is well worth repeating. -
@ROWUK said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
Staying in shape is a process... We need to find larger spaces to practice in.... Player/horn->room->ears/brain. We are creatures of habit.
The biggest space to fill in the process of staying in shape I would argue... is the mind.
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I really try to either practice or play (or both) 6 days per week. But that has been slipping to 5 and sometimes 4 days. The range has survived, but I know the stamina hasn't.
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In the UK the lockdown is still in place. No one knows if rehearsals and shows will even be back on by Christmas. With no reason to practice I must admit to a lack of motivation. I’m not sure I’m that bothered by it either. I might just sell my stuff and retire. Who knows?
Nearly as good as I need to be. Not nearly as good as I want to be).
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@Rapier232 said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
In the UK the lockdown is still in place. No one knows if rehearsals and shows will even be back on by Christmas. With no reason to practice I must admit to a lack of motivation. I’m not sure I’m that bothered by it either. I might just sell my stuff and retire. Who knows?
No don't do that! You have wonderful equipment (your horns too)!
Life will be renewed. Stick with it sir! Music is healing yes? If in a year or so you want to reassess, then that would be fine, but if you give these up prematurely it will be harder and likely more of a hassle to replace them.
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Listen to the good doctor. I'll tell you this, without music, this covid thing would have driven me insane. I'm biting at the bit to get back to the full band, but some of us, a small group, will be doing some outdoor playing pretty soon. Maybe you can do that, too, Rapier232.
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Well the second wave of Covid has shut the band down again and it looks like it will be a long one, so I will be stepping up my practice sessions to keep myself in band shape for whatever time is necessary.
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic, 1940 Olds Recording, 1942 Buescher True Tone 400 ,1999 Conn Vintage One Bb trumpet, A 1952 Selmer Paris, A 2020 Getzen 400 and a Manchester Brass ACB custom pro Bb trumpet, a 1962 Conn Victor 5A Cornet.
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@georgeb said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:
Well the second wave of Covid has shut the band down again and it looks like it will be a long one, so I will be stepping up my practice sessions to keep myself in band shape for whatever time is necessary.
So I thought Canada was getting the curve under control. So sorry to hear this. I did a gig the weekend before Thanksgiving and was told it would be safe... No dancing. All wearing masks. Band would to isolated to a separate area spaced away from the main building... ALL LIES. Band was only 20 ft from crowd, crowd generally was NOT wearing masks, and a good number WERE dancing. A super spreader event to be sure. Was it worth the $150 I was paid. Hell no! But I believed the person hiring me. NEVER AGAIN. I am turning down private gigs for now. Only doing the Church performances I have been contracted to play for now.
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Still no live music here, but no one I know is sick, so at least that is good. I’m currently doing a virtual recording with a group I wouldn’t normally play with just to ease some of the boredom. I also have an adorable new trumpet student - daughter of a college friend. She’s doing very well considering she’s never sat next to another trumpet player! I do think it’s harder to improve as a beginner without hearing those frequencies right next to you! Looking forward to teaching this one in person once we get back to normal.
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I just continue to practice 1/2 hour or so every day.I also try to use a different horn say for 4 or 5 days in a row. Currently though I have been playing my Conn Concert Grand for a week and a half. Doesn't play quite ass good as my strad but I just like it.
