Kehaulani's reply has given me an idea. Since I have never had a problem when playing our 90 minute band practice non stop before the Covid change, tomorrow, during the 20 minute break I am going to my car, sit in the back seat and play a series of easy exercises for about 15 minutes, taking rests between each exercise. Then we'll see what happens when we resume playing for the last 40 minutes of practice.
I'll let you know how it goes.
The thing is, when our practice sessions ran for 90 minutes without a break, my endurance and playing was just fine. This weirdness just started when we had to take a 20 minute break and leave the room so the air could be changed to get rid of the aerosol.
Thanks for your input and suggestions.
@Kehaulani
I have no problems with my chops when I practice at home, and never had problems with the band until we started that play 30 minutes, break 20 and play 40 minutes. I just find my chops don't always work well during that last 40 minutes and never had a problem before the Covid changes when I had to play 90 minutes pretty much non stop.
It's weird but I'm hoping it will work itself out once my old chops adjust to this new arrangement.
As far as blowing gentle long tones coming off the break, I don't get a chance because the minute we are back in the practice room we start playing again. But I'll try to sneak a few of those in next week.
Well, looks like I have lots of options. But I'm really not so sure it's swollen lips, and even if they were swollen, shouldn't they recover during that 20 minute break ?
@Dr-GO
Thanks, Doc, I've used ice cubes in the past to alleviate the swelling after a difficult concert. In the hall where we practice there is no freezer or refrigerator so that is out during that practice break. I suppose I could do 20 minutes of horse laughs with the lips...lol !
Our old band practice sessions, before the Covid 19 shutdown, always ran for 90 minutes and although some difficult pieces could wear my chops down near the end of our sessions, I had been managing quite well.
Now, our 90 minutes under Covid rules goes like this: we play 30 minutes, take a 20 minute break and leave the room while the air is being exchanged, come back and play the final 40 minutes. Here's what's bothering me, after the 20 minute break my chops are just not working as well as they did when we played 90 minutes non stop.
Any idea why this is happening ?
@SSmith1226
Our band does a medley of theme songs from tv comedies in the 60s and The Adams Family is one of them. We even have to click our fingers. A fun piece to play.
@SSmith1226
OMG, to be locked in a room and forced to listen to that over and over for 24 hours would be the world's worst kind of torture.
@BigDub
Oh, man, hard to beat that one...
I don't think you'd inhale anything bad, especially if you are using Berp that uses sustainably grown sugarcane...but, I suppose you could get diabetes...lol
@Kehaulani said in Valve oils:
I was taught to just squirt the oil down the lead pipe and blow forcefully. Has never not worked.
That's a new one for me to try, Kehaulani.
BIG QUESTION ON OILING
I am currently reading a book by Chuck Par Due on Harry James and his music and it seems that Harry had an obsession with oiling his horns. Though he oiled the conventional way that most of us do, he would also pull the first valve slide and inject oil there, and would also squirt oil into the holes at the bottom of the valve caps.
I don't do that but I do oil my valves frequently. Since I own several horns and play them all on a 3 day rotation basis, I will oil any horn in use every day and a half, and the band horn the night before practice or a gig.
How often do you lubricate your valves ?
@Gendreauj
I just felt that Trumpet Blues ignored the man's talent and took a more National Inquirer approach to the man's life. Chuck's book concentrates on Harry's music, the equipment he used, the famous musicians he rubbed shoulders with, his approach to jazz, etc. I just feel trumpet players would really like this book.
The book is called : HARRY JAMES, TRUMPET ICON , written by Chuck Par-Due, a pretty good trumpet man in his own right.
If you read the Trumpet Blues biography about Harry, which really only centered on the negative side of Harry's life, this book by Chuck is not a bio of Harry's life but more penetrating look at his music skills and playing experiences. I just started reading my copy the other night. I only had 30 minutes to spare before leaving for band practice, but I became so absorbed that I ended up being late for practice.
Harry has always been my hero so I am a little bias, but believe me, this book every trumpet player will truly like.
@Dale-Proctor
Quite a feat, Dale. You have my deep, deep respect.
@Dr-GO said in First practice using trumpet mask:
George my only question is are you using the nylon stocking while it's still on the woman. If so, we are talking about a whole different class of disease.
Doc, I was trying to picture that in my mind, and swear to God, some really ludicrous scenes popped up. You have a wild imagination, Doc. LOL !!!
@Newell-Post
Yes, what's starting to happen world-wide with Covid bears that out. Nova Scotia has been pretty clean during the summer. The minute things start to change the government and health officials will act quickly. Our band will be shut down with the snap of a finger the way it was in March, and that's why I'm willing to live with masks and what not for however long is necessary. And at 84 I really can't take chances.
@Dale-Proctor
Well, yeah, I guess so. I am my own worst critic and when I play alone I end up tearing myself apart. At least when playing with others, some are worse players than me so I feel good about myself...ha ha !!!
@Dale-Proctor
Yeah, I don't like it either, but here all bands are under the same restrictions. So I go along with it or I don't get to play in a band.