| I really do admire you older guys that start on the trumpet. It's a tough instrument that requires years to really sound good on.
I'm a comebacker. I started playing at age 10---played consistently in a very good school band until 18. Wound up with asthma after a bout with mono at 19. Couldn't play for two years---then played again for about four years. Then, the asthma really came back and I was unable to play for about eight years---finally figured out that if I stay away from smog I'm o.k.!
So, moved from SoCal to Ohio and started playing again about six years ago. My daughter wanted to learn, so I started teaching her as well. I also found a professional to learn from which helped a lot.
Now, it's six years later and I'm glad I started again and kept going. My daughter and I have played in several bands. There is nothing quite like the fun of playing and contributing to a really good band. My tone is excellent, my range is from high 'C' down to a low 'G'.
Here's something funny---about a year or so after starting back I found my range, tone and projection really increasing. I couldn't figure why I could play so much better than when I was a teenager---especially with asthma. At the same time, I'd notice that I would be short of breath after playing hard and high, and it seemed that I couldn't empty my lungs of air when playing. That's not the way things were when I was a teenager!
Well, it turns out that somehow I instinctively figured out how to breath in such a way that I have a constant column of air supporting the sound---which is what you're supposed to do! (I found this out studying with a semi-retired pro). I also found out that needing at least fifteen minutes to warm up (which I didn't used to need) wasn't a result of old age---it was a result of my chops being in good shape.
So, my recommendation for any comebacker is find someone who has been a pro and loves to teach. They'll correct what needs to be corrected and tell you what to leave alone! |