Jam session

I got invited to my first jam session so I'm excited about that. After that we go to Ohio to look for a place to live. I got a new mouthpiece, 5C and it has made a huge difference in my playing.

Lesson

I got together with the local jazz trumpeter in Pensacola today and went through some stuff with him. I'm not close to where I want to be musically, but I'm getting there. He seemed impressed with my playing. Buzzing, long tones, slurs/air kicks/intervals are my close friends these days.
We went over some tune's and he gave me some stuff to work on. It was alot of fun playing through the songs...getting back on my horn has really provided a stress reliever for me and diversion from the daily grind.

The Comeback

First it was in February of 2008 that I picked up my horn and started "messing around" and I have been hooked ever since. In the few months I have gotten a good sound, increased my range a bit, but my endurance stinks, although I can feel myself getting stronger week by week.
My goal is to become a better jazz trumpet player, not necessarily a pro or anything, but it would be nice to get paid to play every once in a while. I would like to eventually join a band or something like that. I have 2 horns, a Bach student model I've had forever, and a Holton Collegiate that I just picked up.
I will get a Bach Strad eventually, but my student Bach works for me. My range is a consistent high C and sometimes above. My practice routine is buzzing, air kicks/slurs, scales, tunes/improv. playalongs, and I practice for about a hour each day, taking atleast 2-3 breaks during practice.
I remember a quote from a really great trumpet player by the name of Miles after he quit and came back..."Some days I feel louzy...but it came back"...I agree with that statement, although the more I let my chops rest, the more I suprise myself with my playing.
I started playing in 8th grade in junior high, and played through high school, and really enjoyed playing jazz. I won a few awards for my playing, nothing great or anything, but I sounded ok, although I never focused on practicing much, I just wanted to play jazz. Today I spend half my practice time on skill/technique.

My favorite trumpet players are Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Tom Harrell, Doc, and Sean Jones, who I actually played with in the same band in a all state all star band in high school.
I am looking forward to sharing my journey on the trumpet.