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I am a 62 yr.old man who came back to trumpet..really to slay some dragons. I had not touched a trumpet in 40yrs….I came back with a lot but of baggage..no confidence and a heap of bad habits and beliefs when it came to this instrument. I am about a year into this and I must say I am beyond what I truly thought I was even capable of…let me be clear..I am no Maurice Andre but I am making sounds every day now that I only dreamed about..I am just finishing up Moderato..I plan to move on but I am also being patient with the process..there is no rush. I just want to commend and express my gratitude to Greg for this marvellous program..and to all of you that might be struggling…stay the course…Jim
Hi Jim
I was in a similar position when I retired 12 years ago having not played for over 20 years and having once been a competent classical player. I could not get close to where I had been in my younger days. I took on a new challenge of playing jazz. Things were going well with a great teacher till I had a minor surgery on the playing spot of my chops. I had to review everything and have searched high and low for the most efficient way to play. I think Greg has cracked it. I am 71 now and getting better with some regular gigging. I have worked with singers most of my life and still conduct two choirs. The singing analogy is brilliant. I have a close up of me playing at a gig on Sunday and there is so much tension. I am going to go back over some of the early material as I know it works. Keep going; it helps the brain and the body.
Paul
Hey guys, thanks for your comments. It is still a work in progress and some cool things coming esp a secret page weekly Facebook Live Q + A session for subscribers. Stand By. All the best, Greg.
Well…a week later..I feel like I spoke too soon…everything seems like work now..I do the ahhooo..visualizer..lead pipe..trouble getting the notes to speak. I try to never look in the mirror and what I see is more top lip than bottom doing the work..like the jaw is too far back perhaps. Almost everyone suggests we focus on embouchure too much…discouraged right now..J.
I must say this is not a negative on this program at all…more about me. I have noticed when I use the visualizer the air seems to be always going downward..not straight out..as well even though I manage to get to a point of making decent sounds, I start out every day with a lack of consistency.. like I am just learning ..I never feel confident when I start…the mp never feels at home…anyway..just some thoughts
Him Jim, really get the tissue going for air direction. You have demonstrated beautifully the ups and downs of reprogramming. It is a complex process, not merely a choice to change. You are exploring based on ideas and feelings. You will have ups and down but you are headed in the right direction. Keep watching the videos, there is so much information there and it takes time to embed it all. Stick with it. Just observe your daily emotions and happily accept good and bad days without getting to hung up on them. Stay in touch. Greg
Thanks Greg..I appreciate the input..I will carry on..J.
I have seemed to found my way back this week..feels good. Now..I am playing to the moderato level..pretty well. I can’t play everything to wicked high speed e.g. the chromatic variation to 132.… but with a decent quality and ease. The question I have is.. when should I move up to the next level? I know it’s probably hard without hearing me..I thank you in advance..Jim
..still wondering about the next level…🤔
Hey there Jim, I still have a lot of work to do on the Ultimate Level but plan to have it up in the next two months. It’s massive!!! Cheers, Greg