In two words……we don’t.
Why do we have to brush our teeth?
In two words……we don’t.
But, if we want to play well just as we may want to keep our teeth, we have to do things if we want a favorable outcome.
As a young aspiring musician, I spent endless hours in many practice rooms pounding out scales and exercises in order to improve my playing.
As an older player attending North Texas State (now the University of North Texas) I spent on an average six to eight hours practicing every day.
Now as an older (old) trumpet player I have learned several things which affect my current practice schedule and these realizations are the reason I am posting this blog today.
Fact #1. I reached my full potential as a trumpet player years ago and have learned to live with this fact.
Fact #2. I can’t do some of the things I was able to do in my more formative years, and have learned to live with this fact also.
Fact #3. I no longer have the drive to improve my playing skills and have become satisfied with just getting along when asked to perform.
Fact #4. My body does not step up to the challenges it used to and I can live with that.
Fact #5. I don’t want to spend the required amount of time slaving away in a practice session as I used to. I have other things to do now.
Fact #6. I still want to perform well and the very thought of failing on stage is still paramount on my musical mind.
So…How have I learned to adjust to all these changes in my advanced musical life?
I have learned to “Pick and choose your wars”.
Rule #1. Play only material you can perform on a “bad day”.
Rule #2. Give yourself enough time to build enough chops to cover any of your upcoming events.
Rule #3. Avoid endurance and range situations unless you feel lucky.
Rule #4. Demonstrate your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.
Rule #5. Learn your music completely for nothing drains your confidence faster than not knowing your music.
Rule #6. Be prepared to have some issues but give yourself your best chance for success.
An alternate title for this blog should have been “How to succeed when playing a trumpet even though you’re advancing in years”.
