Thanks so much my friend, your videos are always much appreciated. You’ve given me so much over the years I feel like I’m stealing from you. But that’s the kind of generous soul you are, and the world’s a better place because of it. I will be more diligent about checking in with the backswing and working with eyes closed. I’ve probably gotten too complacent with the assumption that I am doing the backswing as intended. I’ll also check myself on making sure there is no gap or decrescendo where there shouldn’t be one and that I remain passive all the way through. I’m in for the long haul. I divide my time between Windworks exercises and regular practice and will continue to do so as long as I need to. The point of difference is a tricky question because there are many things that I do successfully on the horn. Flexibility is one of them. So in this range, now that the notes are speaking, once I get going on the harmonic slurs it doesn’t feel much if any different from how I normally play them. That’s why I want to make extra certain that I am sticking to process. It still baffles my mind how you can play so high in your demos with no abdominal engagement but one day I’ll be able to do it too!

Cheers, my friend!