And I take this as a chance for a rebirth. gmonady is now Dr GO.

Prior to my retirement from my professorial gig at the medical school this past December, I taught muscle physiology in the first year medical student curriculum. We are at the mercy to the laws of physiology of muscle fiber development. So it takes about 2-6 weeks for muscle to adapt to new stress without damaging fibers. At the end of that 2-6 week span, one can add another 20% duration to the work out. So if 45 minutes is all you can do at this point, continue for several weeks at 45 minutes, than in that new week add 45 x 0.20 or about 10 minutes to the next week (55 minutes) and stay with that for another several weeks. Then advance another 20%. Keep doing this at these intervals until you reach your goal.

Let fatigue be your friend. When you loose control or start leaking air, step away from the horn for the day and start back at it tomorrow.

Let me know how this works out.

I was walking by a brown stone in New York and heard jazz streaming from a window. Door was open so I went in to find a band playing in an open loft. Asked if I could listen to which a band member replied sure then asked if I played. Said yes, was a trumpet player. They asked if I had my horn with me and told them in the building down the block. They asked me to get it and sit in as their second trumpet would not be there. I did. Turned out it was the 9 lives jazz ensemble, Mingus's band just after he passed. Wound up being bands sub and this launched my music career in NYC.

AND to the Chemists out there:

HAPPY EASTER from:

The Ether Bunny

A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley when a heart surgeon walked into his shop. As the surgeon was waiting for the service manager to look at his bike, the mechanic called to him: "Hey Doc, can I ask you a question?" The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "Doc, look at this engine. Like you, I can open it up, take valves out, fix 'em, put in new parts and when I finish this will work just like a new one. So why do I earn a pittance and you get the really big money, when we are doing basically the same work?"

The surgeon smiled, leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic: “Try doing it while the engine is still running.”

@mediocreplayer said in Are you a collector? Why?:

...Half the horns I bought were cheap to begin with so I'm not too worried about losing money on them. ..I'll sell the ones I don't want for a reduced price and be happy that someone else will get an opportunity to try these wonderful horns for themselves without having to spend full retail.

Watch for my obituary as I am sure my wife will likely be selling off my horns, hopefully for a good deal when I go (I turn 70 tomorrow), except for my Fulletron Olds Recording. I instructed her to put my ashes in that horn.

I have collected over the years, but will provide the logic to my accumulation of horns in order of procurement.

Olds Ambassador - My parents bought this as my first horn when in 5th grade

Olds Recording - Fullerton - My parents bought this for me when starting high school, mainly as my trumpet teacher at that time recommended, I move to that horn. My younger brother then had my Ambassador as a hand-me-down. My brother gave it back to me many years later, very damaged so had it refurbished by Tome Greene.

Getzen 4-Valve Eterna - Went professional in College and acquired this horn as I was enthralled by Rick Braun's sound and this was the horn he was playing at that time.

Martin Committee - Was playing more and more small ensemble gigs and had the chance to play this horn at a Trumpet Hang. Fell in love with the feel and sound. Would up finding a great buy on e-bay for a vintage 1946 horn rarely played, and sold by a wife after the original owners passing. Came with original case, mouthpiece, and owner's manual. Replaced my Recording as my jazz horn. Still used Recording for classical.

Kanstul 4-Valve Flugelhorn - Was playing more ensemble recording sessions and this horn had the buttery sound that made it all perfect. Discovered this at the same Trumpet hang as the Martin Committee. That was a very expensive Trumpet Hang. Purchased this horn through Bruce Haag, that has the distinction of being in Elvis's Las Vagas Band.

Olds Recording - LA - Bought this from a TrumpetMater member when he was selling horns to help pay for his wife's cancer treatments. Use it for classical alternating with the Fullerton. To me they have identical blows. The LA carries the edge on the engraving. His wife by the way was completely cured!

Allora Pocket Trumpet - Had to travel to Saudia Arabia for business, but needed to play for the extended stay to keep my embouchure. Was told music was illegal so bought this dirt cheap horn in case it was confiscated. It was. Three times. Went through Security Administrator all 3 times to get it back when I promised I would only play it in the hotel room with my Yamaha Silent Mute. Got it returned each time. (Did play it once out in a remote desert - nobody heard this, still have my lips to prove it).

Olds Super Recording - Had to buy it when ANA Mendez called this the unicorn on TrumpetMaster. It did serve as my lead horn until I finally received my Harrelson (see below). It served its purpose well. A very easy blow. (It took 4 years to build the Harrelson).

Getzen Power Bore - Totally an impulse buy from a close friend and member of both TM and TB. He sold it to me for a price I could not refused. I also used this as a lead horn until I got my Harrelson, but this horn works even better at the second chair of a big band as it slots like a laser.

Harrelson Summit - Was playing lead trumpet, more often and regularly. Getting older was not helping. Got to play this model at a show that came through Dayton and fell in love with it so placed an order. That was during the time soon Jason had his stroke, but he recovered fully and he finally built me this horn at the price when I ordered it and threw in a Gold 5 mm mouthpiece as well for my patience and understanding. This has made the blow so amazingly easy... and has built my biceps.

@grune said in Tough Decision to make:

+3yrs later and this is active? what have you decided?

His decision was posted above:

I ended up purchasing several horns, but for Bb, I bought an Olds Super Recording (jazz/commercial) and a Thein MH One (classical). They are both very fine instruments.

@Dr-GO Perhaps try Harrelson Direct. I hope this is the horn to which you refer:
https://www.whyharrelson.com/store/p615/Harrelson_H-Series_VPS_Leadpipe_(LP_H1L___Bell_1X)_%24326%2Fmonth.html

@barliman2001 said in Harrelson VPS H Series Trumpet:

@acarcido Unfortunately, Offerup can ony be seen in the US, not elsewhere. Please make it more accessible.

I am in th US and even I cannot see it.

@Trumpetsplus said in YouTube Suggestion:

You might like to check out my tube channel in which I post short animated talks; my opinions on musical issues that are not often discussed. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmrjZSItiMiFqwSLZsrdVlw

I checked these out and Ivan, they are so instructional and insightful. Keep them flowing!

@J-Jericho said in YouTube Suggestion:

The tea kettles are hot!

That last note brought my dogs into the room. No. Seriously, they were out in the hall but as soon as that last note was hit, they came running in. Amazing.

Hard to advise without more detail and being there to watch and hear.

The most important question is: How long has it been since you have been back on the trumpet? It takes weeks (on average 6 weeks) to tone muscle to the point of getting a consistent response. Time playing may be a relevant issue.

Once the basic embouchure development is well underway, than yes, playing with others and listening and then hearing the changes you need to make would be of high value.

Is the trumpet in need of repair? Have you had other experienced trumpet players play your trumpet and if so, is the intonation fine when others play? If so, we can likely exclude instrument contribution out of the discussion.

By the way, I believe it was the Yamaha 631 that Chuck Mangione used, and word on the street was it Feels So Good.