As great as things were 2 weeks ago — this past week was better.  Saturday I had my first master class with my regular group (not subbing for an existing/more advanced group).   I had one of my best jazz lessons ever and part of the reason was the information was provided  in small chunks and at a very basic, beginner’s level.  I think one thing that can confuse a  novice player is being bombarded with too much information (as mentioned in last  week’s post).  That did not happen here.  We were given some specific  exercises to work on for the next session and I’ve been crunching on them for 3 days  now along with some of my other materials.  Already I can hear a difference in my playing  over the blues.  Nothing drastic but enough for ME to notice when I listen to  recordings.  I’m looking forward to  my next session.  The musicians I’ve been grouped with all seem to love the music and are  interested in improving while having fun.  I don’t think we can ask for much more than that.

I played in church again and did ok.  I selected “Precious Lord” and decided to use the flugelhorn again.   It seems like this could be a regular thing (every Sunday).  I’m on the fence only because I  use a lot of my practice time preparing and it takes away from the time I need to improve on my fundamentals  and improvisation.  That being said – there is nothing like playing in public and reaching people  (and God) on a  spiritual level.  I think I get as much from it (if not more) than they do.  Perhaps I will do it once or  twice a month.  This will give me time to prepare and maybe even tackle some more advanced material since  I will have extra time to prepare.  We will see how it goes.  I definitely plan on continuing.

Lately I’ve been thinking seriously about making the flugelhorn my main instrument.  I’ve been playing it more since I’ve been doing the solos in church and it really seems to speak to me.  I also get a lot of compliments on my flugelhorn sound – way more than I do on trumpet.  It is so easy to play lyrical and flowing lines on a flugelhorn versus a trumpet.  That appeals to me.  Since I’m a beginner my improv tends to hug the center of the staff and below and the flugelhorn sounds good in that region.  Not that my trumpet doesn’t  sound good there — flugel just sounds better to me.  I also wonder if my personality lines up more with a flugelhorn (mellow  and laid back) vs. a trumpet (aggressive and energetic).  I’ve gone over the possible reasons for a few days now  and nothing is crystal clear to me.  I do know that playing the trumpet will NOT have a negative effect on my flugel chops. The same can NOT be said to playing more flugel and neglecting the trumpet.  I plan to continue to practice on trumpet mostly and play the flugel if the mood hits me.  It may be my primary instrument with the master class group and when I  mentioned it, they had no problem with that (they thought I sounded great on it).

…and before anyone even asks — my Lawler is NOT for sale.

I hope everyone does not mistake my silence over the past few days for not being active behind the horn. On the contrary… this is the busiest I have EVER been! This will probably be a long post so bear with me. Where to begin!?

I sat in as a sub in the master class again this past Saturday. As usual — it was good and I learned some things. We had a guest instructor who helped the group play more as a single unit instead of as 7 individuals. He focused on getting us to pay attention to each other and being ready for anything that might be thrown our way. The first song we played was “Freddie Freeloader” which I did fine on — playing my usual style of solo (more on that later). We spent a lot of time on that tune — talking about the results afterwards and what we could do to make it better. We finished with “Up Jumped Spring” but we didn’t play any solos. We just focused on the head and making the arrangement sound good. That was very helpful to me because the week before I spent more time staring at the page than playing. He focused on the horns first (alto, tenor & trumpet) and then rhythm section. This prevented me from hiding behind my lack of knowledge and reading ability.  I had to tackle my weaknesses and at the end I had a much better grasp of how to play it. I left the session very anxious to start with my regular master class group. That kicks off this coming Saturday — no more subbing. I will be starting with this group from the ground up. Now every two weeks I will be playing with the same musicians and we can try to become a tight band with something to say.

A few days before the master class I went over a friend’s house (also a trumpet player) and worked on a few things. I got a sheet with some jazz patterns that I plan to work on regularly to get them under my fingers and into my ears. After going over the patterns a few times we played a few tunes together, trading fours etc. He was impressed with my sound/delivery and because I hold his opinion in high regard – I felt good about what I’ve been doing. I mentioned “my usual style of solo” in the second paragraph — I’m going to really try and branch out and increase my vocabulary. I would like to  see long lines and some scale type runs added.  They may sound rehearsed at first but  eventually I’m hoping to make them as natural as the stuff I’m playing now.  The patterns and some other materials that I have seem to be the way to go. Again, my goal is open my ear and get some different sounds out. I’m also planning to start transcribing a few Chet Baker tunes.

The biggest news is I played my very first solo at church this past Sunday. I knew it was coming a few weeks ago but didn’t mention it because I was giving myself a chance to bail on it if I got chickened out.  I’m happy to say – I went through with it.  I played a free flowing version of “Amazing Grace” on the flugelhorn at the early morning and regular services. It went very well and I’m already scheduled to play another song this coming Sunday (again at both services). I got a lot of compliments on my sound and more importantly — a few people were moved by it spiritually. I even got a phone call from one of the members telling me how much they enjoyed it — that really meant a lot to me. As I sit here, I can think of at least 5 things that I would do differently if I played it again. My biggest concern was playing too loud because it was a song for meditation. As a result I fluffed a few of lower notes but not so much to take away from the overall presentation. I will be conscious of that in the future.  The big thing is air.  I need to really gas up (take a big breath) before starting a line.  I can cross one of my goals for 2004 off the list… actually, if I revisit that list — I may find that I can cross quite a few of them off.

While I’m thinking about it I’d like to thank a few people for their  encouragement to get me to play at church — Kat, Vivian, Chris, Carolyn, Gerald,  Bonnie, Patrick, George Sr. and George Jr.… thanks for your support.  I would  still be playing in the basement if not for your gentle push in the right  direction.

Over the next few weeks/months I may not have a lot of offer in terms of sound files. I don’t think my MP3s offer a true representation of what I really sound like in person. That could be the equipment or it could be me freezing up when I hit the record button. I’m going to go DEEP into the woodshed and work on the right things.  To make that process more relaxed and  positive – I’m not going pressure myself to put up a new recording every few  weeks or month for that matter.  I will continue to record myself but when I feel as though I have made significant progress I will post something new for everyone to hear. There may also be periods where I don’t post journal entries weekly but every other week. Things  are just so busy for me now with regards to playing and if I’m lucky – I will  get even busier!  Between practice to improve, preparation for  playing/performing and my family — time is really tight!

If you are curious about what I’m working on after a few weeks of silence —  don’t hesitate to shoot me a message…. but don’t stop checking the site! I  will still post on significant events or milestones and I will still provide my  thoughts on CDs that I like. Please continue to visit!

Before I go any further I want to take a minute to say a word about Ray Charles. The man will be remembered as a musical legend who was successful in music no matter what genre he performed. His talent knew no bounds and guess what? He played trumpet (among several other instruments)! Rest in peace Brother Ray. We love and miss you.

The master class went well. We worked on 4 tunes and I did well on 2 of them. The other 2 were complete disasters for me. The songs I did well on were “Sonny Moon for Two” and “So What.” The songs that I completely bombed on were “All of Me” and “Up Jumped Spring.” Actually — I didn’t even attempt to solo on “Up Jumped Spring” because I struggled so terribly with the former. “Sonny Moon for Two” was easier because it was a Bb blues and “So What” is similar to the exercises I play on the Aebersold Volume 1. I’ve to got to expand my ear and I must get more comfortable navigating new tunes.

There are some huge holes in my music theory and that is probably why I’m struggling like I do. For the next two weeks I will focus on working on Dominant 7th scales around the Circle of Fourths and also the II-V7-I progression. I don’t expect immediately results but perhaps if I do this I will at least hear something when I work with new tunes like the ones I struggled with. I may start with triads first and then add the complete scale. I just need to get the sounds in my ear and under my fingers.  I also brought a book to study AWAY from the horn called “Edly’s Music Theory for Practical People.”

A few months ago a read a great article about playing note limiting solos.  It is a great way to enhance rhythmic development and improve creativity.  I made an attempt to do this today and it was an excellent exercise.  Click here to check it out.  I used Aebersold Vol. 1 – track 7 (Bb Blues).  I used C, E, F, G – including octaves.

Update (Later Today) I just did an exercise using the Circle of Fourths and I can see why a lot people stress becoming familiar with using scales, patterns and licks around it.  I used my Aebersold Vol. 87 (Dominant 7th Workout) and I played along with track 13.  I just played the first 5 notes of the scale along with the rhythm section and it amazed me how natural and “good” it sounded.  The changes sounded extremely familiar to me.  I think that if I can feel comfortable running scales, chords, licks and eventually improv along with these changes — I will really improve.

Interesting enough I have problems with three keys…  Ab, Db and F#.  Interesting enough — I don’t know those major scales by heart.  Hmmm…  must be something to that.  Duh!!

Yesterday I had a nice practice session. It is amazing how well you can do
when you have the luxury of time. I broke everything into small 15-20 minute
chunks focusing on long tones (including Caruso six notes & Clarke #1),
articulation, slurs and then some simple etudes. I took a nice long break and
resumed some improv studies that afternoon. That is where the frustration kicked
in…

I’m finding that my playable range isn’t quite what I thought it was. Two of
the songs we are doing in the master classes are "Take the A Train"
and "Autumn Leaves." Both of the heads on these tunes hover around F
and F# on the staff. While I can play them I cannot play them musically. It
doesn’t flow at all. I got really frustrated with it and I’m thinking of playing
some parts (or the entire songs) an octave lower. I know Freddie Hubbard
wouldn’t do it that way but I just can’t play them and make it sound like
anything worth listening too. Very frustrating. My stomach will be churning if
(when) they call these tunes. If anyone has suggestions — I’d love to hear
them. I’m talking about playing the head!! Not improvisation. Perhaps I was
tired from my earlier session and this will pass when I try to play them
again.  One thing is for sure – this tells me that I still need to spend significant
time working on my fundamentals.

I don’t like closing my journal entries on sour notes so here is some good
news. There is a very good possibility that I will become a regular player with
the improv classes in mid July. They are starting a new group of which I would
be a part of. I have a feeling that playing in that format on a regular basis
will help me improve as a player AND make me more comfortable/confident. All
good things in my book. The master classes combined with my studies at home seem
like a recipe for success in my book.

Recordings are on the way. I’m hoping to have a new one up before the week is
out. If I do – I will place it at the end of this current message.

After a full week of good health I have found myself in love with jazz and
the trumpet again. When I was sick I was concerned that my drive and focus would
not return once I started feeling better. After a heavy dose of listening
(Hubbard, Byrd, Morgan and Brownie) the flame was lit and I was on fire once
again. As a result, I managed some great practice sessions during the week and
heavy marathon session on Saturday. Chop-wise everything appears to be where I
left it but a touch stronger. I’m still concerned about endurance but I have no
doubt that I can get back where I need to be in another week.

On Thursday I got an email invite to join the small combo master class on the
19th of June and 3rd of July. That gives me a target to shoot for as far as
getting myself in shape again. I’ve already started incorporating some improv
into my routine again. The rust was pretty evident but it felt great to turn on
Freddie Freeloader and attempt to play-along. I had planned on focusing on some
drills to improve my ears but now I will have to divide that time with prep
exercises for the class. Part of me is tempted to continue with the ear
exercises and take that with me instead of some pre-planned solos and licks.

I’ve been struggling with two tunes (A-Train and All of Me) and I asked my
teacher for some help. As usual he cleared up quite a bit and I’m beginning to
navigate each a bit easier. After exchanging a few emails with him, I
realize how important it is for me to learn to play the piano. If nothing else –
I need to be able to play chords to tunes and see the relationship between
changes. I could probably plunk around and figure it out on my own but I’m
thinking of taking lessons offered by someone in my neighborhood.  I will
let you know if I do.

Speaking of the importance playing the piano – I mentioned a few months ago
that there was a great site similar in concept to my own. If you’re not visiting
it on a regular basis you should. The URL is http://jazz.supernonstop.com.
Rick attended the Atlanta Jazz Festival and wrote a great summary of a master
class he attended with the legendary Heath brothers. He gathered quite a bit of
info that could definitely help anyone aspiring to play jazz. Check it out. 
I’m hoping everyone who visits my website checks his out as well.  It has
some great and honest content as well as sound files and a very good ear
training tune.  As a fellow developer I’m in awe of his web talents. 
Add it to your favorite list.

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?

Well as you can tell by the number of days since my last post I spoke too
soon. Just as I started feeling better I started feeling bad again. The cough
got worse and I developed a consistent sore throat. Worst of all my energy level
was ZERO so playing trumpet and jazz was the furthest thing from my mind. I
would pick the horn up for 15 or 30 minutes and blow a few long tones but that
was extent of what I could do. After a full day of work the only thing I wanted
to do was lie down and get some rest.

After struggling through that for about a week I got off my butt and went to
see the doctor this past Thursday. Apparently I had developed some sort of
infection. The doc gave me some antibiotics and the very next day I felt 75%
better. It was pretty amazing. Of course I kicked myself for not seeing someone
sooner. I will not let that happen again. I may try to tough it out a day or two
but if it persists I will be making a call to get checked out.

Saturday was my first day of solid practice on the horn. Everything felt
terrible and out of focus. I can only imagine how bad it would have been if I
didn’t pick it up at all during the sick days. At the same time it wasn’t a bad
as I thought it would be. Jazz is pretty much off the table right now as I try
my best to get back where I left off from a technical standpoint. The
unfortunate thing is I have other obligations that I neglected during my illness
that must be addressed as well. It looks like I will not be back on my normal
practice schedule until the week after next. Still, I know I will pick the horn
up more than I did the weeks before. As goofy as it sounds it felt therapeutic
to pick up the trumpet and have the energy to appreciate what I can do on it.

I’m just glad to feel like myself again. I have no doubt that I will get back
into shape and pick up this journey where I left off. I also need to get my
recording studio back and running to do some recordings. Don’t look for them too
soon though. I gotta get myself back in shape first…

On another note the Washington Post had a great article on the Master Classes
that I attend. You
can click here to read more about it.

I finally got to pick up my horn on Wednesday and it was very disheartening. The mouthpiece felt like a foreign object on my lips and I had no wind. Strange enough – my range was the same but I felt like I had no control over my embouchure. The worst thing was endurance. I started with my usual routine of long tones starting on second line g and descending to F#. I usually ascend back up to g but my chops were wiped out and I forced to rest. Because of my lack of air ? low notes were especially difficult. After 15 minutes rest I finished that process and managed to get through Caruso’s 6 notes – barely. I followed that up with more rest and some slurs from Schlossberg. Everything seemed so out of focus. After a 30 minute break I played a few etudes and called it a day. My chops felt like mush but it felt very good to play again. Holding the horn in my hands was very comforting.

The days following were slightly better and Saturday was the most promising. My biggest problem is I don’t feel as focused as I was before the flu hit. I will try and spend some time trying to refocus on what my goals are. Ingrid gave me some great suggestions that I need to work on and I’m anxious to start working with the Creative Beginnings book. After a few more days of trying to strengthen my chops I’m hoping to pick up where I left off. This makes me wonder at how difficult a come back is for players who have had layoffs for years.

I was hoping to post on my experience with the jazz combo workshop Saturday but my body had other plans. I had to bow out due to illness. Somehow I managed to catch the flu Monday night and I’ve been totally out of commission. Today marks the 6th day of not practicing. I made one attempt at long tones on Thursday and another yesterday and both times it sent me into uncontrollable coughing fits. I think it would be better for me to wait for a full recovery before getting back in the saddle. I can’t even enjoy listening to music because my ears are so clogged up I can’t really hear that well.

It will be interesting to see how my chops react when I first get back on the horn. I have read that players who use excessive pressure have a more difficult time coming back from multiple day layoffs. I’m pretty sure I do not use too much pressure and this may be a good gauge for me. Rest assured I will share the results.

To say that not playing is driving me nuts is an understatement. I’ve been at it for three years now practically on a daily basis. Not practicing for 6 straight leaves me slightly out of sorts (of course it could be the medicine). At the same time it reminds me of the things that are vastly more important – my good health. As much as I love music and playing the trumpet I appreciate getting up in the morning with the full use of my limbs and my senses performing at 100%. If you are reading this message now and you can say that – consider yourself BLESSED.

Over the past few weeks, I will fully admit to not being as focused as I normally am. Maybe I’m burned out from work or maybe the warm weather has me distracted. Still, I’m forcing myself to put in time behind the horn even if it is just an hour a day. At the same time – I know this isn’t a race. I’m going to work hard and let it come to me but I don’t want to turn practice time into a punishment.

Fortunately – something occurred that put me right back where I needed to be mentally. I got a lesson with one of my favorite trumpet players – Ingrid Jensen. As many of you know – I hold her in a very high regard. She is a great player and an amazing improviser. I will buy any CD that she is playing on because she is always adventurous and exciting to listen to. Let me take this opportunity to say that she is a great teacher too.

At the suggestion of Pat Harbison on the Trumpet Herald – I sent her an email and asked if she had time to work with me. Once we got our schedules together, we met at Peabody Institute in Baltimore. I played Summertime for her and she accompanied me on piano. I was really, really nervous but once I settled down and focused on music – I did ok. The first thing she showed me was the lead pipe exercises. I immediately realized that I was not doing them properly. She got a completely different sound when doing it than I did. The sound had more energy and she helped me duplicate that. Once I placed the tuning slide back in and played – my sound COMPLETELY changed. It contained that same energy from the lead pipe exercise but it was amplified. It was pretty amazing. Afterwards – the remainder of my lesson focused on learning scales/chords and using my ear to hear changes and intervals. She showed me several ways to incorporate learning scales and chords with my regular routine. It was great. Needless to say – I left with a new energy and focus. I’m hoping I can maintain it. Ingrid also suggested a book by Scott D. Reeves called Creative Beginnings. I actually already had it in my library but now I plan on putting it to good use.

I’m anxious to start working on some of the things we discussed but I also got a call back to attend the jazz master classes again. A majority of my time over the next week will be spent preparing for that as there are some new tunes on the list. I know I can’t learn all the scales and chords well enough in a week. Still, I am very anxious to modify my routine to include more work with them. I may work on tunes less and focus more on getting familiar with sounds (major, minor, dom7) – playing what I hear in my head. Working with different sounds and intervals will open up my ear to new ideas. Ingrid referred to it as playing in the sandbox. I liked that analogy.