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amtrpt · 03-03-2008, 09:23 PM

Hi Hoosier,
I have never used the Caruso book. The Principal Horn in my orchestra however has used it a lot and from the way he sounds it really works. I try to focus more on playing correctly than any particular stength drills. By correctly I mean focussing on breathing, air release and getting everything into proper balance so that I am not working too hard.

When I do feel like I need a little extra I will play a lot of lyrical studies and long flexibility drills. For instance I like the Concone book for lyrical and the Arban for flexibility.
Try them like this--
Do the Concones for ten minutes without stopping. Stop only long enough to turn the page and play a new one. Be aware of keeping tension out of your body and releasing the air toward the lips in a easy relaxed way. Also watch out for mouthpiece pressure. If you feel you are causing yourself pain, please stop and try again another day.
With the Arban try doing that page of lip trills straight through with out a break. (I'm sorry I can't remember the page number.) See if it makes you tired. If it doesn't do it a few times. Maybe twice every five minutes.

Here is the last thing I will say about strength building. From what I understand about weight lifting the idea is to tear down the muscles and let them re-build better than before. That's probably a very simplified way of saying it. However the same is roughly true with trumpet. In order to build we have to first tear down a bit. And then to build back we will need rest. I don't like to do strength more than three days a week and only when I need it. Never two days in a row. If I do that I don't have time for the muscle to build back.

Wow, that was a lot longer than I thought it would be. I hope it helped answer your question. Please let me know if there is anything that you find unclear.

Best,
Andrew

ps. Please say hi to Manny for me when you see him next.

03-03-2008, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
amtrpt Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: toronto Posts: 162	Re: Caruso Hi Hoosier, I have never used the Caruso book. The Principal Horn in my orchestra however has used it a lot and from the way he sounds it really works. I try to focus more on playing correctly than any particular stength drills. By correctly I mean focussing on breathing, air release and getting everything into proper balance so that I am not working too hard. When I do feel like I need a little extra I will play a lot of lyrical studies and long flexibility drills. For instance I like the Concone book for lyrical and the Arban for flexibility. Try them like this-- Do the Concones for ten minutes without stopping. Stop only long enough to turn the page and play a new one. Be aware of keeping tension out of your body and releasing the air toward the lips in a easy relaxed way. Also watch out for mouthpiece pressure. If you feel you are causing yourself pain, please stop and try again another day. With the Arban try doing that page of lip trills straight through with out a break. (I'm sorry I can't remember the page number.) See if it makes you tired. If it doesn't do it a few times. Maybe twice every five minutes. Here is the last thing I will say about strength building. From what I understand about weight lifting the idea is to tear down the muscles and let them re-build better than before. That's probably a very simplified way of saying it. However the same is roughly true with trumpet. In order to build we have to first tear down a bit. And then to build back we will need rest. I don't like to do strength more than three days a week and only when I need it. Never two days in a row. If I do that I don't have time for the muscle to build back. Wow, that was a lot longer than I thought it would be. I hope it helped answer your question. Please let me know if there is anything that you find unclear. Best, Andrew ps. Please say hi to Manny for me when you see him next.