Ron_B

I'm a 58-year-old former band director and school administrator who is trying to regain at least a bit of his embouchure after 20+ years of trumpetless existance. I have a 1960 Conn Connstellation 36B that I bought used in 1963 and played through high school and college. I worked with my grandfather the summer of 1963, helping him build a house, and was paid 50 cents an hour for my labor. I saved the funds to buy the horn that summer, and enjoyed the opportunity to spend so much time with "Poppie". He died November 1 of that year, so I rarely open the trumpet case without thinking about him. The horn is very special to me, and it's sad that I let it get lost in the hassles of life.

My goal is to regain enough skills to play, with some semblance of confidence and musicianship, at church. I played twice at my "home" church in Ohio last summer, and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I also realize I have a LONG ways to go to be proficient again...

My wife and I are retired, and are spending the winter in a house we lease near a nice bass lake in San Pedro de la Cueva, Sonora, Mexico. We spend a lot of time on the water, harassing the bass, and I also try to spend some time with the trumpet. It's a rewarding, and frustrating process, but certainly worth the efforts.

Best Regards to all the TrumpetMaster Community Members!

Jimi Michiel

Ron,

Welcome! Doc is also down in Mexico somewhere, enjoying his retirement. Maybe you could find him and take a few lessons!

-Jimi

Ron_B

That would be nice! Though, I doubt he'd be interested in fooling with an old "rookie-again" like me!

commakozzi

Yeah, good luck! And be prepared to put in six hours a day like he's been quoted as saying he would do regularly. Funny that I get back from lunch and read this post and see that response. I was thinking about Doc on the way home. I just wish I could get in six hours, but my chops can't take it nevermind the time. Hopefully I'll get there eventually. Patience and perseverance!!!

misty.sj

Hi Ron! I think there are several of us who are getting back to the trumpet. I'm currently working through Rubank Intermediate and trying to get my range back (both high AND low), and work on finger dexterity. The Arban book is in public domain and RowUK actually posted a link to a scanned PDF of it, but I'm not back to that level yet -- that's a lot of black notes!

administrator

Welcome Ron!

tatakata

hola

Ron_B

Thanks for making me feel welcome! I sure WISH I could work on the chops six hours a day, which years ago I was known to do fairly regularly, but I'm lucky to get in six hours a week right now. Progress is slow, but evident! I'm working on the Charles Peters "Total Range" book, then selected Arban exercises and other music after an appropriate period of rest. I can tell the chops are getting better, and fingers and tongue are cooperating pretty well! Life is good...

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to TM, Ron! The Peters book is real good (and rare, it seems), but 6 hours a day practice in Mexico in winter--I can imagine 6 hours a day in Ohio in the winter, but Mexico? Nah!

Ron_B

Thanks! You are absolutely correct! I'm averaging about 6 hours a day chasing the bass on Lake Novillo, but can't come close to that in trumpet practice. I'd be walking on my chops if I even tried doing so. The last couple years of high school and throughout most of college, I played a BUNCH most days, but simply can't handle that right now. A solid 20 minutes is about all I can handle, but can do that 2-3 times a day if I take the time to do so. Mexico in winter is wonderful, and I've enjoyed nearly every minute. Working on the trumpet is definately NOT my highest priority right now, but I also don't want to ignore it any longer, either...