Have you ever seen a baby or toddler trying to tell a parent something but
they cannot because they have not reached a certain level of communication? They
get frustrated and end up screaming and kicking. That is how I felt last week
when playing. I feel as if I have a lot to say inside but my lack of technical
skill is keeping me from completing simple sentences. Just like a child I found
myself on the verge of a tantrum (switching back to sax). This may all seem
silly but if you want something badly (as I want to be able to play jazz on the
trumpet) it happens.

I have tried not to give out any advice on this web site. At this point in my
playing I have very little knowledge regarding trumpet pedagogy or even basic
jazz theory. If someone managed to grab a piece of helpful information from my
journal entries or an equipment tip when I was buying a new trumpet every three
months… great. I have also purposely not included a lot of details in my
studies (something I am thinking of changing) with regards to methods. I guess
since I am still figuring things out myself I do not want to mislead other new
players with bad advice. That being said – I will offer this one full proof and
guaranteed way of getting yourself focused again when things seem to be falling
apart. This suggestion works regardless of your instrument of choice.

Listen to music.

When you get frustrated beyond clarity, put your instrument down for a moment
(or a day or two in my case). Listen to the cats who inspired you to pick up
your axe in the first place. Listen to your favorite tunes and remember why you
started the journey. Remember how much fun it was when you belted out your first
note or played your first tune. I did it and it works. I have little doubt that
I will return to that dark place again but now I know the solution.

I was on the train riding to work and I had my iPod on random play. 
Below is a list of the songs that got me back where I needed to be:

• "Oriental Folk Song" from Night Dreamer – Wayne Shorter
• "A Child is Born" from Consummation – Thad Jones & Mel Lewis
• "Passionate Courage" from Bounce – Terence Blanchard
• "Fall" from Nefertiti – Miles Davis
• "Tanya" from One Flight Up – Dexter Gordon
• "Short Story" from In 'n Out – Joe Henderson
• "I Will Wait for You" from The Complete Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams –
  Donald Byrd

The only problem with listening to Consummation is it made me miss my
flugelhorn…  Hmmm…

I also want to think everyone who emailed me with suggestions and
encouragement.  I truly appreciate it.  Full steam ahead.