I’ve watched a LOT of baseball this summer. My favorite teams, the Chicago White Sox and the Cubs, keep getting stuck on the downside of a five or six-point spread. It amazes me to see them keep up the fight from that far down, and even win the game. Last year’s World Series champs do it over and over. Those Cubs broke hearts for decades, but not anymore. Seeing them overcome great odds makes me believe I can, too. How about you? The start of a new schoolyear usually catches most of us off guard. Five points down, feeling beaten up, out of shape, and out of sorts. If rehearsals have hit you in the face, like right on the chops, here are some tips to get back into shape quicker so you can be sounding your normal great self again. Capitalize on where you are right now – strength is only built up after first tearing down. Any athlete can tell us this. They know that the period of time they feel fatigued and almost injured is golden. They know it leads to greater strength when managed correctly. Do what they do, and rest as much or even more than you play. Here is an example of what I mean. When you play along with this recording of Schlossberg No. 1, rest 4 beats between measures: That tingly feeling after playing equals greater strength! It’s like taking ibuprofen, but better. Ibuprofen reduces swelling, but it won’t build strength. The lactic acid and swelling built up from strenuous playing at school needs to be released back into the blood stream, and short intervals of playing accomplish just that. Like athletes, brass players need to work the muscles in a way that allows time for training in the right form. Playing slowly and softly allows the muscles to learn and remember the most efficient way of working. Here is a video play-along with Schlossberg No. 31. Again, rests are added between measures. Trumpet starts on G; Horn on C; Trombone on F (one octave below the trumpet); Tuba on F (one octave below trombone or two octaves below trumpet.) Now put it away and let that good work take effect. I’m going to go watch the White Sox take on the Tigers while I continue with a little practicing! And yep, you read that right, doing this kind of work while watching TV is an excellent way to get through what would otherwise be too boring to bother with. Our muscles and our brains need the soft slow work. What’s your favorite team or show to watch while practicing?
James D Young
8/12/2019 12:35:17 pm
Thank you for the encouragement! I appreciate the analogy to athletics, the importance of mental attitude, training properly and the benefits of rest and recovery.
Glenda
8/12/2019 09:45:56 pm
I'm so glad you found this post helpful, Dan! Comments are closed.
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GlendaI'm a trumpet player and music teacher aiming in this blog to help other Trumpeters, Music Enthusiasts, Music Educators, and aspiring professionals reach their highest potential in life through the study and cultivation of musical skills. Music Education
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