Practice help

[nolights]

I usually hang out at the Keyboard section - but I've got a friend who needs some help. She's an excellent trumpet player -- but she just had a baby and feels she can't practice anymore. I know nothing about playing trumpets -- but she says that whatever lip indentations she developed after playing for years have gone away -- and she'd hate to lose the ability she has. Are practice mutes a good substitute (I was reading the thread below)? Would they be quiet enough -- and help her keep her chops up? Is there a suitable electronic alternative -- a brass EWI -- that allows you to use your full, normal playing skills without making much sound? Any ideas would be very appreciated!

[danrothmusic]

practice mutes are great. There is a bit of a pressure difference, so it feels funny at first, but you get used to it.

She'll keep her chops up as much as she practices. though I think having a baby takes a lot of time...

[Feral Cat]

She could practice by 'buzzing' through the mouthpiece.

Which is to say, doing lip slurs through just the mouthpiece without the horn.

[Hunter6]

 

She could practice by 'buzzing' through the mouthpiece. Which is to say, doing lip slurs through just the mouthpiece without the horn.

 

 

+1

 

That's a great way to practice when you need to be really quiet about it.

[nolights]

Thanks for the tips. I'll pass those ideas along -- and, yep, I know part of the problem isn't the loudness of the horn -- it's the extreme lack of time. But she's very good -- and I think it would be good for her psyche to continue to express herself with music (and I'd like to someday, when her kid is older, get her playing regularly).