This was a good…no… GREAT week. Although I am still kind of on the fence regarding mouthpieces – playing one axe for a month is really starting to pay off. I am beginning to get acclimated to the Lawler. I have had about 4 days straight of good, solid playing. The sound that I have in my head is beginning to come out. I am very far from where I want to be but the path that was once covered with roots, leaves and debris is now starting to take shape. Musically I am moving in the direction of the summit that inspired me to begin this journey. That makes me feel VERY good.

While cleaning a few closets this weekend I found my old clarinet. It has been years since I have played it and I could not resist the temptation to pull it out and give it a try. After blowing a few notes, running and running a few memorized Clarke studies… let's just say this… I am definitely a trumpet player now. The buzz of a reed in my mouth feels so foreign and strange… not natural at all. The sound it created did not excite me in the way that a trumpet does. I know that I could probably spend a few weeks on it and be back in playing shape but it doesn't move me. AT ALL. In fact, I felt as if I had betrayed my Lawler! I put the clarinet back in it's case and put in BACK in the BACK of the closet. For reassurance I picked up my trumpet and repeated the same Clarke studies. It was good to be home again.

I write this stuff sometimes and I wonder what people think reading it. They probably think I'm straight nuts and two steps away from the funny farm. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. Thelonious Monk once said in an interview with Downbeat that it is sometimes to your advantage for people to think you're crazy. I'm inclined to agree.