Gentle reminders-part 2

Sometimes you just need a gentle reminder that you are on the right path.

Even though I love my school and what I am studying, I still have those moments where I'm not sure if I'm on the right path- it may only last for a second or two, but that feeling is still there...

But God works in such an amazing way that when I have one of those moments, He gives me a reminder of why I am where I am/why I'm doing what I'm doing. 

Being home on spring break has been a great reminder as to why I am where I am.  There's just something about coming home to family and friends who love and care about you that reminds you as to why you are who you are.

Throughout my life, I have been very fortunate to have many great role models.  For me, some of the most important role models are in the music world.  Some of these role models have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and others have only been in my life for a short amount of time.  Some I've had the honor of making music with, while others I have not.  Some are still here with us, while others have gone to be with God.  But no matter what, they have all been a big part of why I've chosen to continue studying music.

Most of these people have been with me through the ups and downs of my playing.  When I was struggling, they were there giving me support and encouragement. When I was successful, they were there giving me praise and reminding me that hard works pays off.  We've smiled together, cried together, and laughed together. We've shared stories of both triumph and tribulations.

These are the people I contact when I get done with an audition, get accepted into an ensemble, or when something finally "clicks!" These are are the people that, in a way, know me better than my best friends.  These are people that I try to spend as much time around as I can-because they inspire me to improve day in and day out.

The past few days have reminded me of how lucky I am to have such amazing role models in my life.   Some I was able to visit with for a while, and others and it was just a quick "Hello! How are things going?" But no matter which it was, it put a smile on my face.  It gave me a gentle reminder as to why I love music.

Gentle reminders-part 1

Sometimes you just need a gentle reminder that you are on the right path.

Even though I love my school and what I am studying, I still have those moments where I'm not sure if I'm on the right path- it may only last for a second or two, but that feeling is still there...

But God works in such an amazing way that when I have one of those moments, He gives me a reminder of why I am where I am/why I'm doing what I'm doing. 

Being home on spring break has been a great reminder as to why I am where I am.  There's just something about coming home to family and friends who love and care about you that reminds you as to why you are who you are.  

As I spent my evening with two of my favorite young men, I was reminded of this.  These boys never fail to make me laugh and smile. 

As I sat watching the older boy practice his violin for Solo & Ensemble Contest, I couldn't help smiling and thinking of how far he has come.  This reminded me of how far I have come on my trumpet, but yet how much there is still to learn.  It reminded me of my first time at Solo Contest when I was so nervous-but everything ended up going very well.  And then I thought about Contest my senior year of high school when I had only prepared my solo for a week and a half, and somehow managed to get  a superior rating. 

Always remember why you are doing what your are doing. For me, this means reminding myself why I play the trumpet: because I want to, not because my parents want me to, not because a friend wants me to, but because I want to play the trumpet and use the talent that God gave me to bring joy and happiness to others. 

Intonation? What's that?!

Well, I honestly don't think I have ever left a rehearsal this frustrated with myself.  It's the week of our concert, and of course I can't play in tune to save my life.

I try not to let frustration get the best of me in rehearsals, but today there was nothing I could do about it.  My frustration level was at its highest.  I couldn't play a single note in tune.

There is only one thing more embarrassing than not being able to play something (the melody!) you've worked really hard on in front of the whole band, and that's not playing in tune-at all.  Why today? Why me? Why on the day when I'll be playing for 5 out of 7 hours in the evening? Why?

Nothing was clicking...everything was running together...It sounded like I hadn't practiced the music, but in reality I've spent a lot of time on the music.  I was honestly embarrassed and wanted to leave the rehearsal.  I felt like I was not only embarrassing myself, but my entire section and studio.

So, since that rehearsal didn't go so hot, I now have to focus even more for my next two rehearsals of the evening.  I must learn from the first rehearsal and move on..or as the song says: "let it go!"

When you have a bad rehearsal, don't look back.  Move forward and work even harder.  Push yourself to be the best that you can be.  Don't let anything stop you.

Now I'm going to go spend some time with my tuner....

Why am I here so late?

Posting this a little after the fact....

Why am I here so late? This question was asked to me tonight by a fellow music student.

I gave them a shocked reaction.  Why wouldn't I be here at night? First of all, it's only 8pm....second of all, I am a music major-I have to practice.

Yes, I have had two rehearsals today.  Yes, I have already practiced once today.  And yes, I am practicing again.

As a trumpet player, I believe that it is important to have more than one practice session a day.  I believe that having multiple practice sessions a day is better for a brass player, rather than having a practice session that lasts for 2 or more hours.  I think that by having more than one practice session, it keeps your health in check- both physically and mentally.  If you play for too long, you can ruin the muscles in your face that are required to play a brass instrument.  Mentally, focusing for two hours can be very difficult..and trying to switch between all of your assignments can be very taxing and difficult.

Some people practice for like 20 minutes a day and never have major issues...and then there's me who practices for a couple of hours a day(usually) and has lots of issues...

I am here again because I wasn't satisfied with my first practice session...yes, I put a lot of work in, but the result wasn't that great.  Demand excellence...or you won't get results.  Hopefully this practice session will be successful.  If it's not, then tomorrow I will push myself harder.

Time to crack the whip!

So, some things are harder for some people than others.  For me, multiple tonguing is a great challenge.

When I was in 7th grade, I could double tongue without thinking about it, play a high C on a daily basis, and play parts of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto....but then things changed when I got braces.

Truthfully, having braces should have only pushed me to work harder, but I let it be an excuse to not practice and work on the things that needed to be done.  As a sophomore in high school, I got my braces off.  I had to learn how to play again...which was definitely a process.

Now, as a freshman in college, I find my self struggling with multiple tonguing, range, and volume.  Why are these things an issue? Simply because in the past, I chose not to practice them, even when my private teachers told me to, and I knew I needed to.

Since coming to college, almost everyday I am reminded of my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to my playing.  This semester, I have to work on these things everyday, no matter what! I can't put them off any longer.

Throughout high school, my private teacher would tell me that if I didn't work on these things, I wouldn't be able to play a lot of music.  But I never believed him.  Almost every lesson, he would remind me that these were the only things holding me back from playing any music I wanted to.  But yet I never practiced these things.

Now, as I'm off at college, I know he is right.  I should have listened to him and worked on these things.  But I chose not to. So now its time to CRACK THE WHIP! I have no choice but to practice these things.  If I choose not to, I am not going to get better, and I won't be able to play most of the music I dream of playing.

Starting today, February 3rd, 2015, I am promising to practice these things everyday.  I am not practicing these things because other people are telling me to.  I am practicing these things because I want to become a better musician.  I want to be the best trumpet player that I can possibly be!

Taps-One to Remember

Today was a day I will never forget.  I had the honor of playing Taps for the first time in my career.  The performance was very near and dear to my heart, as I played at the funeral of a QPD officer who my father worked with.  

Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which made this experience even more memorable.  I had the privilege to rehearse with the QPD Colorguard prior to the funeral.  Through this, I was able to interact with the officers and get to know some of the people my father works with.   After the funeral, I was able to have lunch with my dad.  

Overall, today has been one to remember.  Playing Taps is an honor, but playing for someone who you can relate to makes it even more honorable.  I will never forget this opportunity that I was given my my father and the Quincy Police Department. 

Thank you to all of the men and women who are protecting our communities, counties, states, and country.  Each day when an officer puts his/her uniform on, he/she takes a risk of not coming home at the end of shift.  Never forget that.  May God always be with the officers and keep them safe. And may He also be with the families of the officers to help them through whatever challenges they may face.  

The truth of a practice log...

Since September 2012, I have kept a daily practice log for my trumpet.  At the end of every year, I total up the number of days that I did not touch my trumpet.  Each year the total shocks me.

As 2014 came to an end, I totaled up the number of days that I didn't play my trumpet.  When I looked at the total, I was speechless.  There were a total of 100 days in 2014 where I didn't play my trumpet.  I am ashamed that the total is that high...but it explains a lot.

So, as the new year begins, I am making a goal that at the end of 2015, my total number of days without playing will be no greater than 30.  That means that I am allowed two rest days a month, plus six extra days for when I absolutely can not practice.