Forced Layoff

SSmith1226

I am a seven year comeback player after a 44 year layoff. Over the next seven weeks my opportunities to practice are going to be drastically reduced, culminating in a five week trip overseas either staying in thin walled rural B&B’s or old hotels. My plan is to bring a practice mute and pocket trumpet, but it unlikely that I will have opportunities to use it very often due to the noise constraints of these facilities. I plan on utilizing Tom Hooten’s “Embosure” device and follow his suggested program. I also will bring Larry Meregillano’s “CTS (Compression Training System) and program in order to maintain, and possibly build my “chops” as much as possible. I realize that neither of these are “trumpet playing”, although the “Embosure” device will involve a lot of mouthpiece visualizer buzzing, in addition to the strengthening exercises. The CTS device also will provide strengthening exercises. Has anyone else have any other suggestions, or had a forced layoff of this magnitude, and found any additional ways of preserving or minimizing loss of one’s chops?

administrator

I really like the Yamaha Silent Brass mutes. They allow you to hear yourself as if you were playing without a mute but they block your sound from other people. This is what I would recommend for a long period of time.

SSmith1226

@administrator
I am planning on bringing the Yamaha Silent Mute as a practice mute. I’ve used it many times in modern hotels and even cruise ships and never had a complaint. I will be staying in rural Scotland and Wales in B&B’s and I’m afraid the sound, even though extremely quiet might penetrate walls and doors. If I am wrong, then my problem is solved. I’ve stayed in similar places elsewhere where even a practice mute would be disruptive. Thus my question.

GeorgeB

@ssmith1226

Seven weeks is a long time, Steve. I will be pulling for you.

George

barliman2001

@ssmith1226 Steve, there is an easy solution. In Scotland and Wales, there are brass bands aplenty. Just bring a cornet - not a pocket trumpet (they are not much smaller than a shepherd' crook cornet) - and ask whether you may sit in at rehearsals of the local bunch of roughs. If you need addresses for that, just give me your itinerary and I can have a play with my contacts there. Much better than sitting in your room annoying Barbara...

SSmith1226

@GeorgeB
It will be an interesting experiment!

@barliman2001
Yes, it definitely will annoy Barbara!!!
I will be on bus tours and will fixed schedules, but I will look out for Brass Bands.

Kehaulani

I've traveled all over the world as a musician. There are parking garages and there are storage rooms where you can play, open horn. Maybe even ballrooms etc. which are vacant.

Silent Brass is a gas. I am currently using a Best Brass which is very quiet but doesn't provide the kind of feedback Silent Brass provides.

https://www.wwbw.com/Best-Brass-Trumpet-Warm-Up-Mute-H90984-H90984000000000.wwbw?rNtt=best brass mute&index=14

Those other devices only go so far before they get gimmickey. Play open-horn as much as possible.

SSmith1226

@kehaulani
Thanks!

barliman2001

@ssmith1226 Well, you know where to reach me if you need some contacts. Or just tell me whereabouts you are going. Or just contact Nick Jones of Coronation Brass - he knows all the Welsh bands.

Trumpetb

I have never had a problem finding plenty of places to play.

First of all equipment, the smallest under seat cabin bag for most international carriers can accommodate a standard trumpet.

If that doesnt work cornets fit in the smallest of bags.

I have travelled abroad internationally in passenger jets with a trumpet stowed in a cabin bag under the seat in front of me with no difficulties at all.

Dump the trumpet case, take a soft cabin bag.

This means you will never have to compromise on your equipment while travelling.

When you get to your destination, there are always parks woods streets back alleys I have never had any difficulty finding a dozen places within minutes of where I am accommodated.

The only place there has ever been any issue or restriction
was a Mall. And their heads were so far up their rear ends they outlawed their customers from singing or humming to themselves in the Mall.

The problem you will most likely face is turning people down who want you to play for them.

The main problem I expect you to suffer is there being too many places to play and practice in rather than there being too few.

What I have seen in the past in forums is trumpet players who insist on buying a pocket trumpet when there is no need, and then they insist upon playing it in their hotel room and suffering intonation issues from unfamiliar gear and complaints from the hotels guests.

Take a trumpet with you, walk to a park, alley, street, and you will be astounded by the good will and respect the citizens there who are staved of live music, will give you for your efforts.

What better high is there for a musician than spontaneous applause and cheers for what amounts to doing a bit of practice to preserve your chops.

One thing I would suggest is learning a few simple tunes that you can play easily that local audiences might like, but I suspect you dont need that being an experienced player.

People want to hear you, so let them and have a ball doing it.

SSmith1226

@trumpetb
On this trip, I’m afraid the weapon of choice will have to be my seven year old Mendini Pocket Trumpet. The limiting factor is that most of my transportation and touring in the UK will be on low budget 16 passengers tour busses with long day trips, late dinners. and late returns to the bare bones accommodations. Luggage is limited to one bag and one carry on personal item. I can pack the Mendini in the suit case protected by clothing and hope for the best. If it gets damaged, it is not the end of the world.

Dr GO

If you can take a trumpet, the Yamaha Silent Mute.

If you cannot take a trumpet (like Disney Cruises-where confiscate your trumpet or to Saudi Arabia where music is outlawed and they confiscate your hands), take a mouthpiece and cup it in a hand towel.

Dr GO

@trumpetb said in Forced Layoff:

What I have seen in the past in forums is trumpet players who insist on buying a pocket trumpet when there is no need, and then they insist upon playing it in their hotel room and suffering intonation issues from unfamiliar gear and complaints from the hotels guests.

I insisted in buying a pocket trumpet when I had to travel for several weeks to Saudi Arabia as a consultant to help start up a medical school. Being away all that time from playing the trumpet was just not an option. I found a real cheap Allora Pocket Trumpet advertised in the AFM magazine for $250. I figured if the Saudi's confiscated my horn, I would only be out $250. As it turned out, they did confiscate my Pocket Trumpet three times. Each time I pleaded with the security supervisor, promised I would only play it in my hotel (with my Yamaha Silent Mute, which I would show them) and each time, they were impressed enough to give me my horn back.

I did sneak the horn in with me while going to a party in the desert. I snuck out away from the crowd, found a nice sequestered area in a sand dune, and proceed to play... "Midnight in the Oasis" and "Caravan" among others. Got away with it as I still have my hands to this day.

Here is a pic of our international group in a ceremonial tent set up at the desert picnic, The founding Dean of the Medical School has his hands all over me, but you can see, I still have my hands as well:

J. Jericho

@ssmith1226 Check out https://www.themouthpiece.com/ . Most of the members live in the U.K., and all are willing to help with answers to any questions you may have.

BTW - Here's a guide to your travels in that part of the world:

Kehaulani

@ssmith1226 said in Forced Layoff:

@trumpetb
On this trip, I’m afraid the weapon of choice will have to be my seven year old Mendini Pocket Trumpet.

The last time I went to Germany, I had a pocket trumpet, too. Carried it in my suitcase. No problems.
(Glad you got out of Saudi Arabia in one piece, Dr GO. I assume you took no women.)

barliman2001

@ssmith1226 If the Mendini gets stolen or lost, you can always give me a quick call and I'll arrange for my Arnold & Sons pocket trumpet to reach you within two or three days (I got it for free or rather for writing a review of it for a music magazine here in Austria)

GeorgeB

@dr-go

Oh, my, Doc, I do fear for your safety, Doc !

SSmith1226

@j-jericho said in Forced Layoff:

@ssmith1226

…… BTW - Here's a guide to your travels in that part of the world:

Thanks!!! That makes things abundantly clear!!!

barliman2001

@ssmith1226 ... and is quite erroneous, seeing that the UK left the EU several years ago...

J. Jericho

@barliman2001 Well, this video posted 12 years ago, so we can incorporate more recent events to bring ourselves up to date. It's still informative, and the sense of humor is a nice touch.