jazzcadenza

I'm directly off a gig where my chops gave out half way through yet again... hard to believe... I've tried a lot of strategies the day of a show, and can't seem to find any warming up system to be reliable... just seems impossible... so many factors... been practicing/peforming every day for almost three years with grat advances and satisfaction (horn player since nine yrs old, went on hiatus and then back to it) yet this particular vital element still has me bent out of shape...any suggestions from you pros? Too little or not enough?

Brekelefuw

I doubt it is the warmup that is what is affecting your playing.
Do more long tones to build endurance. You are probably nervous as well and therefore your efficiency will go down. I know when I get nervous I tend to to play as efficiently and my range suffers as well as my endurance. I think it is because I use too much pressure when I get nervous.
Relaxing and being as comfortable in a performance situation is a must, and only developes with practice.

My chops used to go really dry when I was in 1st year university. Now I am done university and my chops rarely go dry, and if they do I have methods of playing through the nerves. I developed my compensating methods on the job. Performance experience is vital.

lovevixen555

Is it a matter of not enough practice time? For instance I could not run 2 mile a day and expect to run a good run on a marathon I would not have the endurance or recovery to make it a good performance. I could finish but it would be walk run method to get tot he line. So I guess I am asking if you practice enough. Practice is cumulative in that you can and should try to do some morning, miday and in the evening. If you donot regular do a show each week you should maybe set up mock gig's where you perform for the same amount of time you would be expected to on a gig. A lot of top record setting athletes do this dureing the off season. One really famious powerlifter would have a mock lifting competition done double elimanation witha ll the delays and such once a week. All the guys from the GYM would show up and each week their would be new personal records and a winner in each weight class. Mostof the guys that worked out at this gym with this guy went on to set records in the sport. Not only was it liek competition experince and conditions butit was also training. I understand that it not the same since their is no audince in your liveing room but it is just an idea from outside the areana of trumpet playing to think about.

Bob Grier

how about lessons?

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Markie

Hi jazzcadenza, I use the SPIT book on my students and self to strengthen my chops. I particularly like it becasue I can use the book(actually a three ring binder) in conjunction with aebersold play alongs. It's a butt kicker. You can sometimes find them on ebay

Al Innella

If your endurance gives out half way through the gig try holding back on volume ,your probably over blowing which then leads to using too much pressure which is a guaranteed endurance killer, relax and play with a full projecting sound not a loud one, its also more pleasant to listen to.

TrentAustin

can you describe more of what you're experiencing in detail?
-T

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