Just moving into the adagio stage and I have to say I’ve made great progress, depending on how you measure progress. I started Windworks to get a fresh start as a comeback player before I let any bad habits creep in – and it’s working! I was honestly skeptical because I’ve tried everything besides the kitchen sink, but I figured I had nothing to lose so I went and found the kitchen sink. The problem I’m finding is that this reset broke me – of my bad habits. It’s those same bad habits that allowed me to play up to high A (which used to be the top of my range for a LONG time). Now, after making it through largo and trying hard to change the process and focus on what TO do, I can’t even make it to a middle A. No matter how hard I pinch, pull, tighten or move the mouthpiece around, I cannot get a good tone above middle A. Now on the flip side – I’ve got the best sounding low F# to middle A I’ve ever heard. It’s open, loud and very “trumpet sounding”. It amazes me that the sound is coming from “my” instrument. And to me, this is proof that this works, and by “this” I mean the psychology of it. Luckily I don’t play in public or I’d be worried that I can’t play as high as I used to but I know I’ll get there. Slightly sad I probably won’t be able to play Taps for Veterans day in the US but it wouldn’t be the first year I missed it. There are plenty of pieces in my range I can play around with to still have fun, because as Greg says, this is still about having fun. Anyway, I think that is my coffee moment for now, looking forward to many more.