[TPIN] Comeback Endurance

[Dave Arndt]

Greg,

Here's an observation: I've found that I am *basically* at about the same
level of *physical* playing that I was after I initially started - i.e., I
can do anything now, that I could do after I had been playing for about 4
years or so (when I was about 16).

For example...
- I've can play 3 octaves, but truly usable range is a few notes less (just
like at 16 or 17)
- I've got reasonably good endurance, but there are those OFF days (just
like then)
-  My flexibility and "connections" are a little better - but this is due to
routine
- Technique (tonging, etc.) is a lot less - but that might be due to the
fact that my performance emphasis is different

The thing is,  I know how much farther I've got to go at this point - so
that can be discouraging (if I let myself think about it).  When I was 16, I
was blissfully ignorant - and way too preoccupied chasing girls to really
care much. <g>  And... I have to keep reminding myself that I was *off* the
horn longer than I had ever played in my entire life, before I quit.  (!)
That helps keep it in perspective.

So it'll be interesting to see what I can do in the next 4, 5 or 10 years
(and how middle age plays in here).

If I can manage to live till 100 and keep myself in decent shape, maybe I'll
get it all back. ;-)

- Dave, Back to Bach Trumpets, Arndt


On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM, Greg Van Boven <vbcs at cox.net> wrote:

> Dave,
> I'd have to agree with you here, especially the psychological part! I took
> 5-6 years off 2 different times and have spent many years working at
> getting
> back to where I remember being at one time.
>