This Christmas, just like the last 4-5 Christmas’ that have come before, I am playing in the KAOS (Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society) Christmas Concert (22nd and 23rd December). Thing is for the last 10+ years I’ve been playing the Cornet and Trumpet on a daily basis. Since going to Uni it’s been more like a couple of times a week, now though, not being in any bands, well, I haven’t played since May!
I’d forgotten how physical it is to play a trumpet and I don’t think my heart, lungs or diaphragm knew what hit them today. Thankfully my fingers were up to the challenge and could get around most of what I was practicing and in the end I’ve managed to play for about 30 minutes so far and hopefully do another 30 minutes a bit later.
I’m guessing to get up to speed for the concerts I’m going to have to do at least 20 minutes a day. Down side to that is no kissing the Mrs’, her hypersensitive lips mean she ends up with quite nasty blisters if I’ve been playing and I suspect this is down to the lacquer. I’ve seen a few people playing with plastic mouthpieces and wearing gloves when holding the instrument so its not the strangest allergy but I can’t imagine a plastic mouthpiece sounding that good and I think it would feel a bit weird as well.
Wonder if scrubbing my lips will help?
Dan