whwright

But don't be TOO hard on me. I'm a sensitive trumpet player, after all...

I'm also a middle-aged engineer who likes to play. I play regularly (mainly at church) but I really don't have a good practice regimen.

I occassionally "sub" for a local "swing band," and I split lead with their regular. The day before yesterday I played with them at a three-hour swing dance with a short break in the middle. Yesterday I played with them at a wedding reception. We played for an hour-and-a-half, took a thirty minute break, and then played for another hour. There was maybe thirty seconds between charts, and I had a blast both nights.

But by the end of each second set, I was WORN OUT. I could still pull off a "high C" but I was really reaching way back. My lips were like mush, my back hurt, and my cheeks were sore. I kept telling myself "sit up straight and don't pull on the horn." (Or something like that anyway.)

This morning (it's a Sunday as I write this) I played three services at church. It was really a chore, and I didn't play nearly as well as I am capable of. I felt nearly worn out from the beginning.

This may sound like a stupid question, but: should I have been worn out? I know I'm a wimp, but would "most players" be worn out in a similar situation?

Wayne.