Sometimes it is very difficult to post something new every week. When I first
started playing trumpet an experienced player stated that when you first start
off – progress is obvious. As you continue however – improvement comes in small
increments… sometimes so small you can’t really tell anything is different! I
believe I am close to that point if not right there in the middle of it.
Fortunately I can name about a dozen things that I need to get better at.
Stay tuned and hopefully I will manage to pull this off with some degree of
success.
I’m still trying to build my chops after being sick but I am already starting
to feel like my old self. I’m still not trying to play jazz or do any
improvisation though. Hopefully I can resume that next week. Right now –
building my endurance, technique and range is at the top of my list. Honestly –
my playable range is right where I left it before getting sick. The endurance
seems to be the hardest thing to get back. I’m trying to be patient and play
several small sessions of 15 minutes followed by at least 15 minutes of rest. It
seems to be working well for me. Technique is starting to return though my
fingers are still very sluggish. I’m hoping a steady diet of Clarke #1 and #2
will put me back where I need to be.
When I begin my jazz studies again I’m going to work with some jazz patterns
from a book I recently purchased in tandem with some Aebersold play-alongs. I’m
hoping they will open my ears up to new sounds and help me stretch out a bit
when playing. I’m also being used as a guinea pig for a jazz study program that
will help me learn my scales. This is also used with Aebersold play-alongs. I’m
anxious to get started with all of this but right now – I gotta learn how to
play this piece of metal? again. I also have my recording software
working again. I have a few tweaks to make but it is functional. Once I get my
chops back – I will share something with everyone.
On a finally note – rest in peace Elvin Jones. You will be missed but by inspiring so many cats…. you will live on forever?
