2021 is here... I am teaching online virtual lessons currently, no gigs (performances) as of yet but I have a feeling some will pop up this summer especially outdoor shows.

After taking a bit of time off from practising the trumpet I have been back at all the stuff I teach my students and glad to say I'm back into shape for most things I'd get asked to play... Now I am working on a few of my weaknesses to continue to improve!

What did I do to get my tone / sound / range / endurance and technique back?

Focused practising!

1.  A Good warm-up (which includes simpler/lower versions of #'s 2-6)

2.  Subtone playing (ppppppppppp) as quiet as possible attempting to maintain a pure tone while minimizing

     mouthpiece pressure and body tension. "Playing light and delicate"

3.  Isometric exercises aka long tone / lip buzzing (I also do "Spit buzzing" for many positive benefits)

4.  Flexibility exercises

5.  Flow / Lyrical / Technical Studies

6.  Scales / arpeggios with varying articulations

7.  See where I'm at by having fun playing with "Trumpet Play alongs" on youtube (or even working on tunes this way)

     great for sight reading and working on timing; almost like being in group.

8.  Improvisation / Playing through standards for refreshing the melody and chords

9.  A bit of upper register work on some days I feel like it