TrumpetEd

As for the question, I stand corrected. His initial question was about "big hours", but I was reading his post in which he stated, "wondering what the average of what most people put in", so I guess I misunderstood the question. I cannot nor will I attempt to speak for anyone else, but I played as a professional for about 15 years before settling for a job with steady pay and great benefits to support my family, so I think that I can speak with experience when I talk. I agree with Clarence about trumpet playing being serious business, especially if it's how you make your living. Many of the top players out there truly don't have that much time to practice, but I guess I'm talking about guys who are always working. If you have a 4-hour big band gig playing lead one night and you just played another gig or recording session earlier in the day, you're not going to want to keep pounding on your chops. The muscles do need some rest time. A lot of guys will pick up their horn and do a few exercises, but they aren't going to want to wear themselves out when they know they have a 4-hour gig coming up. Years ago, many of the pros in Los Angeles would also sit in with rehearsal bands, college bands or any other opportunity to keep up their playing and reading chops. Anyway, as for the original question, I guess I misinterpreted it. My bad.