@Dr-GO Thanks for the detailed and timely response. I am scheduled for a follow up CT scan next week and review with the Pulmonary doc later in March. In the meantime I will further investigate your suggestions and add them to my current routines. Thanks again
Fels
I was recently diagnosed with Bronchiectasis (right lung) based on CT scan with contrast. Pulmonary doc prescribed steroid inhaler and antibiotic (to clear the mucus infection). Infection is gone and steroid has had some impact. Will do follow up CT scan next week. I am 75.
I did not play trumpet during December. I have resumed by playing long tones, scales, and easy tunes. I still find breath control to be a challenge. I start my practice with breathing exercises.
Prior to all of this my range was up to E flat above the staff. Currently, it is barely up to C above the staff after warm ups.
My understanding is that Bronch does not go away, it is merely treated. Any suggestion for practice routine and additional physical exercise is appreciated. Thanks.
I start my warm up with low note buzzing by removing the tuning slide and blowing low notes using breath attacks. Using a larger mp during this initial exercise can also be helpful. Replace tuning slide and play Clark #1 very slowly - equivalent to long tones.
@bigdub
Yes I have had similar experience when playing to back tracks from the various Fake Books sources. I have not tried to figure it out,, rather just pull the paper Fake Books out and play those without back tracks.
I found and used it a few years ago (pre COVID) after I was inactive for three weeks due to pneumonia. Now it is a regular (although rotating) part of my warm up.
Question for Barliman or others
I have acquired another Courtois Flugelhorn namely a model 152. Can you explain the differences and origin (beside the horizontal slides vs vertical) of the 152 versus the 157 (my other Flugelhorn ). Playing both, I think I like the 152 in terms of ease of play, timbre and intonation, but am continuing to evaluate.
@kehaulani said in James Morrison Trumpet Tutorial Series:
, ref. you can play very high, very softly. What am I missing?
In my case, I can play higher by playing softer. It's harder to play the same high note at blastissimo.
I do not claim to be a "Lead" player. But I play the lead part in our Horizons Jazz group. I worked on increasing range using many sources including Hickman's "Beyond the C". I can play above staff reliably up to a D and softly up to an E. As "Lead" I am encouraged to reach the Blastissiimo volume. Very difficult and dangerous. The last rehearsal about a month ago I was doing the Blastissimo thing and my embouchure is still recovering. Back to playing softly.
Foot note for SSmith biographic post
Satchmo My Life in New Orleans
Scholar Select
Page 126
@fels
PS
I am teaching my 10 year old grandson who is now playing the Selmer Paris
I have opined before that you may or may not find your idea of the best horn -- you have to be patient and it will find you
Thirty or forty years ago I was playing a Selmer Paris and wanted something better....I went to our local music store and played several "pro' horns. I selected a Bach 37. Payed it for the next 20 to 25 years. A Schilke X3 was available at the store and that has been why horn since. I still play the Bach, but do not like its weight. I bought my Courois Flugelhorn unseen on Craigs List. There are better (cosmetically) flugels out there, but I can make the Courtois sound the way I like -- it found me.
I had pneumonia several years ago (before COVID), although not as severe as described here. Was diagnosed a few days after a quintet Christmas gig. I did not not play for a couple of weeks and was weak for longer. I used a "recovery routine" based on selected Schlossberg drills and that was very useful. I still use them now as part of my rotating warm-up routine. And yes, I now have had the pneumonia vaccine.
Slightly off topic -- I purchased a Wurlitzer Electric Piano in 1967. I was playing trumpet and piano in a group (not simultaneously). I hauled that piano around town in the back seat of my 1965 Karman Ghia (coup). Since I am 6 foot 4, there was not much room to maneuver.
I posted earlier (year or so ago) about the effects of Mohs (4 layers) surgery on the back of my neck that seemingly resulted in nerve related issues that impacted my left cheek and lower lip. Still seems to be a problem but may be
lymph related.. Relative to kidney stones, I had one some years ago but was related to hyperparathyroidism. Surgery removed one HP and PTH tests show normal -- not trumpet related seemingly. On the other hand (sic) I have a prolapsing hemorrhoid that responds directly to lead playing.
My first exposure to trumpet playing was in Fifth Grade Elementary School (62 years ago).
I am trying to channel that experience now since my Fifth Grade grandson announced that he chose the Trumpet in his school music class. I have read a lot of posts here and have learned a lot from educators like Ivan etc.
I have some spare trumpets, and will be donating my older Selmer Paris for him to start. Choice of Bach 3C or 7C mouthpieces. Case need replacing but that is easy enough.
My initial thoughts on teaching a beginner (as a grandfather and current trumpet player) are below. My emphasis is that he chose the trumpet because he hears me play and perform. So this is initial exposure and instruction. If successful, he will obviously need a real instructor.
It should be fun.
It should be rewarding.
It is a path for growth, similar to sports.
Initial instruction :
Importance of breathing and breath
Lip Buzzing
Listening to music and finding a favorite music
Exploring the instrument
Creating beautiful tones
I deliberately do not include reading music notation at this point. Let the school teacher do that.
Since this is a Charter School, I also see this as an opportunity for volunteering.
I welcome all thoughts and suggestions for this journey.
I was asked to help out with a middle school recording session for their jazz band. The lead trumpet had just had braces and was uncomfortable; my job was to double the first part sans solos. He did very well and has a very nice tone even with braces. After the recording I told him that I thought his tone ( sound ) was great and to focus on maintaining his sound. Technique would come. Agreed with Ivan.
I have Ivan's book on trumpet pieces through history. I use it when I need a break of soft playing and as warm ups. Every week, our twin grandchildren (boy-girl 2 year olds) come over on Wednesdays and spend the day while Mommy works in my basement office. They love coming up to my music room, turn on the trumpet light and sit in their rocking chairs and wait for me to "perform." Typically they want "Row Row Row (your boat)". I play it by ear. Then they want another children's song. So I go through the litany: Wheels on the Bus, Old Grey Mare, Insy Weensy Spider Etc. All by ear, usually in B flat concert. It has occurred to me that my grandchildren have inspired a decent warm up routine -- and it involves scales! After going through the first iteration, I start repeating each around the circle of fifths. Great ear training, good middle to low range warm up, and it involves scales. I have made a note in my iPad Notes --- Papi Tom's Warm Ups.
I agree with Rowuk's earlier comments as a fundamental basis for sight reading. I will add:
Like any other skill -- you have do do it a lot. Accept sub invitations, play pieces you have not seen before.
Take a few minutes to survey the piece and perhaps mark the score. OK, the purists a say that is no longer sight reading. But down beats are down beats and a little visual reminder helps.
Listen to those around you. Accepting the music will help in terms of understanding your part and being able to play on sight.
@dr-go said in Expressionism on trumpet:
You are welcome. Till Bronner is a hidden gem here in the USA. He is very well known in Germany and is the top rated jazz musician in Germany. He rarely comes to the USA, mostly to record, but I had the chance to hear him in concert when he was giving a clinic at the International Trumpet Guild in Columbus OH (down the road from me). I attended his clinic as well. Just amazing. He invited me on stage and I had the amazing honor of playing several tunes with him, and at one time, trading 8's!. He has just as warm of a personality as his trumpet sound.
Here is a pic from the clinic. Till is the one under the red arrow, I am under the blue:
And that is Alan Hood on the left side of the photo. DU professor of trumpet. Had a lesson from him several years ago will attending Mendez Institute. Great guy and instructor.
My first horn was a Conn -- don't remember the model -- I was in Fourth Grade.
I used it successfully into what is now called Middle School and we (my parents and I) looked for an upgrade. Olds Recording.
That was my horn through High School and then into College (although not as a music major).
I took the Recorder with me when I was in a Junior Year Abroad program in Regensburg. It was a new University and a new program. Did not get much play time excepting at a local Atilier bar where I played with local talent. During "Spring Break" my Olds was stolen from my Volkswagen in Spain.
I replaced it with a Selmer (modified) upon returning to the US. Decent horn.
When I intensified my playing, I bought the Bach 37.
As I continued to intensify my playing, I bought my Schilke X3.
Also picked up a used Courtois flugelhorn.
My point is that I was always interested in horns- but not actively looking. Circumstances dictated actions. The Selmer was available at a decent price at the time. The Schilke was available at a decent price at the time. The Courtois showed up on the internet. My advice -- sometimes your horns find you. And depending on the journey, the quality of the horn will suit you.
@fels
Update February
I was playing a long tone exercise (Stamp) this evening on my flugelhorn. I noticed (perhaps it was there before but I just noticed it) that the left cheek and lip corner was very stiff and "condensed", the right was very relaxed. Just another symptom waiting for a diagnosis. I still think it is related to the MOHS surgery on the back of my neck.