whwright

Is your horn heavy?

Are you sitting or standing when this happens?

Do other activities make your back hurt?

B15M

Happens with a light or heavy trumpet

when I am sitting and

Other activities don't bother my back

Siegtrmpt

Most people that work another full time job only have so much time to devote to trumpet practice. My suggestion is to figure out what you can realistically do on a daily basis and then accept how far that gets you. Just take those gigs that are compatible with where you are with skill and endurance. Why suffer trying to do something that doesn't fit with the time you're willing to devote to playing?

whwright

B15M: I am far FAR from an expert, but I'll get the ball rolling for you. Surely this will trigger someone to step in and set the record straight.

I speculate that you're not "blowing from the gut." I have to actively concentrate on using my diaphragm so that I don't get an ache in my lower back early in a set. When I stand to play I make an effort to "balloon my stomach" a little bit and use it to push the air out. When I'm sitting, I make it a point to not lean back in the chair -- even though it looks like it might be, my back isn't touching the chair back. I know players who sit on the edge of their seat to do the same thing, but I find that kinda goofy (sorry if I stepped on any toes there).

When I have to sight read a lot I tend to get a lower back-ache sooner in a gig. I've always assumed that I'm concentrating on the music to the point that I forget to breathe correctly. Unfortunately, but the time I realize what I'm doing, it's usually too late.

Helpful?


Sieg: You hit MY nail on the head. I'm trying to practice at least 30 minutes a night this winter, even if I have a "gig" that day. I don't always make it, especially if my wife has "other priorities."


Wayne.

B15M

It's my upper back. This might sound weird but, my teacher told me not to worry about pushing from the gut. He said to just fill up. I think I do push from the gut though just from so many years of being told to and just doing it.

whwright

Upper back huh? Can you tell if it's a muscle ache?

At the risk of sounding terribly pessimistic, I hope it's not a disk issue.

In my short time reading this forum, I've seen many posts which say something along the lines of "trumpet playing is very physical." It may simply be that your back has become weak (forgive me if that sounds harsh or self-righteous), and you need some physical exercise to strengthen it. Just holding your hands in front of your face for a long time is very different than lifting and turning stuff because your arms are "cantilevered." Adding the weight of your trumpet could add just enough strain to cause your upper back to hurt after a while.

If I'm getting off-track, somebody jump in and rescue me please!

Wayne.

B15M

Yes muscle ache