Good attitude from a fellow musician , but don't aim so high , you could become a mentor for other less experienced musicians , but you mouth and lip trouble may not return , but you could be lucky . Depends on what you doctor recommends . Some times mentoring and listening to the orchestra can be very rewarding .
Bob Robinson
77 • South Australia
Goal:
I want resume playing lead trumpet in the City of Adelaide concert band. To do this I need to reduce the numbness in my lips to allow me the level of control and stamina to play to performance level.
Time Frame:
3 Months
Best Outcome:
I would be able to rejoin the concert band, enjoy the company of the members, lead the trumpet section in rehearsals and performances. Cathrine, my wife, enjoys the camaraderie, and is also very involved in behind the scenes and front of house support of performance events.
Steps and Action Plan:
Step 1:
Continue playing duets and trios with musician friends to build up control and stamina.
Activity 1:
At least twice weekly.
Step 2:
At home, continue rehearsing my lead trumpet parts of the concert band.
Activity 1:
I have accepted an invitation to play 3rd trumpet with Norwood Symphony Orchestra. This is within my current capability and will aid in stimulating all the senses required to perform in a team envir
Activity 2:
Continue weekly band rehearsals,and once or twice weekly playing duets, to improve endurance and quality.
Activity 3:
Play along with professional recordings to perfect my technique.
Activity 4:
Rejoin rehearsals with the concert band
3 Responses
Thank you Garry. Yes, I am aware the numbness may not subside. I am intending to return to rehearsals in the next few weeks and may sit in on 3rd trumpet. As we have some younger members in the band, I could also mentor from there.
I am heeding the messages from my body and brain...
At concert band rehearsals there have been occasions where the brain indicates I should pack up and withdraw myself. The relatively reduced amount of effort and concentration required to play 3rd trumpet instead of lead trumpet allows me to hear the inaccuracies in the section. The manner in which rehearsals are run does not allow much improvement from week to week. As a community band, the reasons why many members attend does not include improvement in their, or the band's quality of performance. My suggestions often fall on deaf ears. Since my stroke, this has become more of an issue to me, and I now need to obey the messages from the brain and act accordingly! It could be time for a break or redirection!
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