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Re: How to re-begin?

Author: Dmax
Date: 2018-10-01 08:57

Progress Report:

Well I'm one whole week in and having a grand time. Bob Bernardo is my hero, having given my ax a top-to-bottom fix. I'm now using one of his Vintage 1940 mouthpieces which I absolutely love! I tried my HS* but the Vintage is a lot more free-blowing and gives me a fine, warm tone -- much easier to enjoy. I had some Vandoren 3s but bought some 2.5s which suit my flabby lip for now. (In HS I played a 5 but that would feel like a popsicle stick) I bought a Legere but at the moment the cane feels better.

On day 1 I played for all of 4 minutes before my lip quit on me. 6 days later I'm at 20! 20 minutes may not sound like much but I'm satisfied. I could go longer but at that point if I stop focusing on my embouchure for a nanosecond I get lazy and it "droops".

I haven't looked at a book yet and may not for a little while. I'm playing a lot of chromatic exercises and major scales plus long tones and fairly random jumps across the break, trying to keep my breath control going in the Clarion. Then I try fun/silly stuff by ear - Harry Potter themes, The Simpsons, showtunes, etc. Next I'll pick out a few hymns for 89 year-old mom, and cowboy songs for my buddy who likes to embarrass the kids.

In another week or three I'll find or buy some books but at the moment I'd rather pay attention to how my mouth and fingers feel. Once I start dialing that in I'll look at some spots. For now, who needs 'em? That said, you guys gave me so many book suggestions that it will be fun to dive back in. Then it will be time to reacquaint myself with Wolfgang Amadeus and Carl Maria.

Thanks everyone!
Max

david_maxwell@mac.com

Post Edited (2018-10-01 09:11)

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How to re-begin? new

Dmax

2018-08-20 21:29