| A different point of view..
I would just rest and quit thinking about my chops. I am NOT trying to be glib or a smart alec. I'm just offereing a different point of view based on a lot of experience playing everything from the circuis to long rehearsals followed by shows or multiple gigs. Just last Sunday I played two outdoor big band gigs - one on lead, the other on the jazz chair, followed by sitting in on the lead book with a third big band followed by going down to a local jazz club and sitting in for two hours. I had to pace myself, but one can get through stuff like this.
I would suggest getting away from using balms, creams or artificial means of "soothing chops." The cold water thng can feel pretty good, but that's as far as I'd go.
Don't be afraid of long or difficult gigs. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you're a scardey cat or something like that. It's just that many of us (me included earlier in my career) have an almost subconscious fear of getting through tough gigs with long difficult charts. That fear can literally manifest itself with fatigued chops. Stay cool mentally in the heat of battle and make sure you are keeping your form straight as the gig wears on. Do start trying to force things out by mashing or twisting your chops around as you get a little tired. Remember, most of your skill is mental and that doesn't get tired.
Pace yourself. If you're on lead, lay out on unison passages if you can get away with it. Don't take the last note up an ocatave. Bring the dynamics back one notch. Take the mouthpiece off of your chops on rests. That last partr may seem simple enough, but I have seen so many players keep the mouthpiece on their chops during three and four bar rests, as if they're afraid they'll forget the set.
Warming down can be nice, I suppose. My warm down is putting the horn in the case. You could flutter your chops Shew style a bit. IMHO, warming down involves putting the mpce back up there, and if your feeling sore, that doesn't seem the thing to do.
Always remember, there is the next day. You're going to be fine. Keep anxiety out of the picture and you've won half the battle!
FWIIW coming from me.
Nick |