Quote:
Originally Posted by jazz9  I've never thought of that, but I'll give it a try. My embouchure has always tended to go to my left side and very much "up" on the mouthpiece. I have never had the best endurance. I just got that horn I have been wanting, so I'm playing much better. Many people have told me the 3C is the best and most versatile mp, so I am ordering one of those. I will try the alignment thing, though. |
So did you buy a strad? Congrats if so.
I think you need to pay careful attention to what rowuk wrote (I find myself often touting his point of view). You have a new horn, but you still have a number of problems. Whether they are directly related to trumpet playing (mouthpiece, teacher) or to "life" issues (parent's support or lack of), they will impact on your progress and your playing, new horn or not.
Solutions NEVER lie in changing equipment, unless you are using a total POS. The more variables you introduce into the mix the more difficult it will be to resolve what's going on with your playing problems. Keep changing this or that and you will soon be unhappy with your new trumpet, because your problems will remain and blaming your equipment can only lead to finding fault with the most expensive part of your trumpet investment.
Look at your situation. Parents don't get it. Teacher is elusive. You are in high school and at that age there are other things going on that take some time to "process". Any stressful impact on your existence, big or small, obvious or inconspicuous, will express itself when you play or practice. If things are going poorly, or inconsistently, your trumpet is telling you to look at the rest of your life and deal with your issues.
I know this sounds like a bunch of Zen hooey, but I swear it is true. When you pick up that horn and put it to your lips, everything but trumpet and music should disappear. While you are playing or practicing you should be 100% involved in it. If not, other "stuff" will get in there and mess you up big time. For me, when I play, I get so far away from the problems of living (and there are lots) that they cease to exist, until I stop. Playing is actually therapeutic, a centering and balancing activity which leaves me better able to cope with all that other stuff.
The thrust of this too long post is: 1. Grapple with and resolve whatever life issues you can. 2. Become one with your horn when you pick it up - it wants ALL of your attention. 3. Don't make scapegoats of your equipment, for it is NOT the source of your playing problems, and changing it won't help.
As rowuk says, when you are happy, then it is the time to seek change.