reesetee1

Hey all.....this is the lone trombonist (don't hold that against me)...But a long time hometown friend of Tony's (Hold THAT against me!!!) with a question that is just a brass question not just for Trumpet!!

K...Here it goes....

After playing hard, (whatever your playing hard means)...How long before you get your chops "back"...I know it is kind of a "personal" question, however at Binghamton University we have a guest artist that comes in and does a clinic at 2-3 in the afternoon. Then the concert (same day) is at 8pm. I usually do not do the clinic because I am afraid that I would not be "fresh" for the concert....Is this a parinoid t-boner or is it a valid fear??

michaelm2

I don't know that there's an easy answer to that. It depends on the individual. A few years back I did a gig for a week that was 3 to 4 times a day each about and hour. About the fourth day into it I was running out of gas and by the end of the week needed another week to feel comfortable. Generally with about two hours down time between gigs I'm good for at least two gigs. I really don't like doing 3. The first one usually ends up being a good warm up. If your chops are in decent shape you shouldn't have a problem with both.

Mike

Vulgano Brother

The Germans had this funny thing about putting rehearsals and performances on the same day. Not just Mozart, but Carmina Burana or Christmas Oratorio, and there was no way to have fresh chops for the gig. What we did have were enough chops to get through -- they don't have to feel great to sound great.

kadleck

Hey Reese -

I think it all depends on A)what shape the player is in and B)how hard the playing is on the chops.

Generally, guest soloists do this all the time. Play a 2-5 rehearsal and an 8PM gig. Shouldn't be too tough unless the music is REALLY hard.

Tony

wiseone2

Try rehearsing the Brandenburg in the afternoon, playing through the work several times, then performing it and several other works that same evening Ah, the good old day when I was young, strong and DUMB
Wilmer

reesetee1

OK.....LOL....You broke me down I AM WEEEEEEAAAAAAAK!!!!...LOL

Hope to talk to you soon!!

Reese

Vulgano Brother

My problem is I'm older and weaker, but.....

rowuk

We had this come up on a post about lactic acid I think. When you get tired, there are certain things that happen to your chops. There are ways to train regenerating more quickly. Do a search on lactic acid. I think we had some real expert advice there!

gzent

Or, if you're fortunate enough to know a trumpet-playing MD, ask them about such things and you will learn that human lips are contructed of soft tissue, not muscle. Therefore, the lips are not subject to the effects of acidosis, the condition associated with increases in lactate concentration during heavy exercise arising from a separate reaction in muscle tissue, not soft tissue.

To quote my MD friend, "only rest, cold compresses or anti-inflamtory drugs like Advil will help 'tired lips'".

Greg

reesetee1

Update on the edurance question and the gig.....

I sold myself a little short!!!

Took part in the clinic. Took it as a warm up (that was a bad move!!)...I didn't have time to warm up before the 8pm gig because I played drums with the warm up group. The first song with the big band was "Tiger of San Pedro". I play the solo bone part.....

For those of you that don't know I play trombone!! (pleeeze dont hold that against me!!...LOL)...But brass is brass so alot of the topics that trumpet players talk about also apply to trombone playing also!!

Soooo....I didn't have time to warm up and the first notes I play is F over the staff to high C to Bb....and my lips were stiff as hell!!! The notes didn't no part of this!!! By the middle of the song, it all came together. And I was pretty strong all night (after the on job warm up!!!)

I will never do that again!! I will from now on take the time to warm up!!! I used to just be able to "grip 'em and rip 'em"...But I guess I am too old for that!!!

As a side note....Steve Davis played his face off man!!! Puts on a great clinic and (of course talked about you being the one that kicked it all off for us!!!)

Reese