SeanP

Hi Everyone,

Just found this website and thought I'd join in and meet fellow trumpeters - so, Hi! and best wishes to you all!

Hopefully, someone may have some tips to help me... but a little history to put it into perspective before I ask...

I started playing trumpet when I was 7 (I'm now 37), on a then very old Melody Maker Bb trumpet given to me by my Grandfather. Not a great trumpet but it was my pride and joy and I loved it! The years passed and at 18 I went to the Royal Northern College of Music to study trumpet - 4 years fantastic experience - gigged around for a while and then kids came along and the playing took a back seat for a bit (noodling for fun not the wage earner). However, I really started playing again about 3 years ago but, it was all cut rather short by cancer... after operations and chemotherapy for the last 18 months I am left with only 25% of gut and about half of my stomach muscles and diaphram.
Anyhow, they removed the chemo tube from my heart/chest at the beginning of this year and I started feeling better again in the last couple of months so picked up my trumpet - a Schilke X3 - boy that's a little harder to play than I remember... but I'm not getting rid of it - oh no! I'm going to play it!! ...Along with my rotary Bb, Benge Eb/D and F.Besson piccolo which is probably my favourite!

So, onto my question... how, with the limited physical resources I have left, do I build my stamina and range back up...? I still have a high G (above top C) on my Bb, but the double high C just above it has gone Not that I'm likely to do this in public, although it being there again would be nice. Stamina is also effected (not as bad as I thought though) - I am steadily building this up with quiet (pianissimo) warm ups and exercises at the start of practice - do you think this is the best way to go or does anyone have any other tips?
I do hope someone has some encouraging advice - I'd like to get on the right track before they start the next round of operations and chemo in the next couple of months... the cancer's in the liver now... aaaaaargh...! Do you think they'd let me take a trumpet and a Yamaha silent mute into the hospital ward....? Hummmm... maybe not....! Ah! that's what pocket trumpets are for - so you can hide them!!!

I have loads of time to practice and all I want to do now is play - I don't think about the other things when practicing/playing - so for me, whatever time is left I'll go out playing on a high.... or most likely a split note!!!

Many thanks for reading this waffle but I am so glad I've found this website - so many interesting subjects!

Best wishes to you all,

SeanP

RG111

Sean,

First of all, my prayers are with you during this ordeal!
After a rather extended stay in hospital several years ago, I used the Jimmy Stamp method to get back. Also, Clarke studies and simple melodies, resting as much as I played.

God bless,
Roy Griffin

Hardnut

Sean,
Thank you for that post - you are an inspiration to all of us aspiring trumpet players! I would like to add my prayers to Roy's for you, I think it is really wonderful that in spite of the cancer, you are still working to improve. I would say that your quiet warm ups and exercises are precisely what will help you to recover your endurance. The high G you have is just that - high, and you are doing really well to be playing up there as it is! You obviously know which areas of your playing need addressing, is there any possibility of seeking a teacher who might be able to help you?
Again, I will be thinking of you,
Chris H.

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to TM Sean, and lots of good wishes and prayers and stuff from me too! I'll second RG111's Stamp suggestion. If you have to compensate for lack of tummy muscles, building the chops is about the only way to go. Be blessed!

administrator

Welcome to the site Sean!

Tom Mac

Welcome to the site Sean. I will remember you in my prayers. Keep up the good fight and keep playing that horn.

SeanP

Thanks everyone for all the kind words - I will get a copy of the Stamp method and start working to build it all back up!
Isn't trumpet playing great...!

Thanks again,

SeanP

Richard Oliver

Sean, Welcome to TM, and I hope you enjoy!

Richard Oliver

dcstep

Slowly, but surely friend.

I had a bike crash a few years back that resulted in replacement of my left shoulder (I'm right handed). This hurt my trumpeting somewhat, I needed to brace the trumpet and hold my left elbow close to my body, but it absolutely crushed my guitar playing. To play from the 7th through 1st frets I needed to stop playing and push my left hand up the fretboard with my right hand. It took a year before I was fully functional on guitar again, but it did come back. BTW, it was great physical threrapy.

God bless you.

Dave

rdt1959

Welcome to TM Sean. I am sure your story will be an inspiration to a lot of people. Please keep us updated on your progress!