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Manny Laureano · 01-23-2005, 11:39 AM

"... by keeping everything "forward" and being totally efficient he would be able to play all day without ever getting tired, and he claimed to prove that point one time by playing for 14 hours straight one night then going to play a show that same day."

Sorry, I don't buy it. There's playing and there's playing. I want to hear the quality of sound after three hours and then I'll be convinced.

"I try to be as efficient as I can every time I pick up the horn, but I can't imagine not being tired after say a concert playing Mahler 1, Bruckner 7, and Pictures, or even 14 hours of playing."

That's because you're sane.

"What I'm trying to say is, do you feel that the efficiency to the level that you guys play at makes your endurance that "unstoppable", or is it the practice time and playing time spent in getting to that efficiency level?"

Everybody has a limit. Some are higher than others. When you slap down good money to come to Orchestra Hall, I'm sure as hell not going to disappoint you if it's in my control. Having said that, it's about strength coming from a stable embouchure, good control of the breath, and constant challenging of oneself in the practice room regarding endurance.

The lips fold when the strength in the corners gives out. Keeping things "forward" is a critical part of the stable embouchure but so is proper weakness of the respiratory muscles. Tense abs, no air. Loose abs, lots of air. "Strength is my enemy, weakness is my friend" was the Jacobs mantra and he was right. Period. I'm a living testament to that philosophy.

Mental attitude is important, as well. You have to have a bit of ego to play the trumpet at a high level. Just make sure it's only present when you're playing. When you put your horn in the case, the ego you need for the playing goes in with it.

ML

BTW,

Fourteen hours of playing followed by playing a show:

get up at 5:30, have breakfast, shower, etc. start playing by 6 am, finish at 8pm and go to a what? 9pm gig, let's say? I don't think so.

01-23-2005, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Manny Laureano Utimate User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,989	Re: Endurance Efficiency "... by keeping everything "forward" and being totally efficient he would be able to play all day without ever getting tired, and he claimed to prove that point one time by playing for 14 hours straight one night then going to play a show that same day." Sorry, I don't buy it. There's playing and there's playing. I want to hear the quality of sound after three hours and then I'll be convinced. "I try to be as efficient as I can every time I pick up the horn, but I can't imagine not being tired after say a concert playing Mahler 1, Bruckner 7, and Pictures, or even 14 hours of playing." That's because you're sane. "What I'm trying to say is, do you feel that the efficiency to the level that you guys play at makes your endurance that "unstoppable", or is it the practice time and playing time spent in getting to that efficiency level?" Everybody has a limit. Some are higher than others. When you slap down good money to come to Orchestra Hall, I'm sure as hell not going to disappoint you if it's in my control. Having said that, it's about strength coming from a stable embouchure, good control of the breath, and constant challenging of oneself in the practice room regarding endurance. The lips fold when the strength in the corners gives out. Keeping things "forward" is a critical part of the stable embouchure but so is proper weakness of the respiratory muscles. Tense abs, no air. Loose abs, lots of air. "Strength is my enemy, weakness is my friend" was the Jacobs mantra and he was right. Period. I'm a living testament to that philosophy. Mental attitude is important, as well. You have to have a bit of ego to play the trumpet at a high level. Just make sure it's only present when you're playing. When you put your horn in the case, the ego you need for the playing goes in with it. ML BTW, Fourteen hours of playing followed by playing a show: get up at 5:30, have breakfast, shower, etc. start playing by 6 am, finish at 8pm and go to a what? 9pm gig, let's say? I don't think so.