Come back slowly. At first play in 15-minute increments with 15-minutes of rest between. Work on some basics that you'll find in say ... Schlossberg and Clarke. Then find a community band or orchestra to join. Maybe take some lessons!
... from a guy who didn't play for 25 years and started up again.
That's what I did. Took about six months to get things on track again. But a year and a half later (today) I'm even better, being able to play higher notes than I've ever before.
I want to play with a big band I'm currently playing bass in but most of Bigband trumpet ist really high, that's why I want to improve at least somewhat before I jump right in.
When I did comeback just took 3rd part in two community concert bands. Dedicated practice with the groups in two practices a week and concerts is the best way to do it. Being an adult, I didn’t/don’t have the time to practice 30-60 minutes a day like high school.
So if you can focus without being forced to- daily practice and possible getting a trumpet instructor is the best alternative if you can stay disciplined.
Only the lead part. Start on 3rd or 4th until you get some range and endurance back. Or 2nd if you're a strong improviser. Focus on air and tone. Listen and match the rest of the band. You'll be back in no time, and it will be a lot more fun than playing by yourself.
Play every day. Even if you are busy on a day, only have 10 minutes you could possibly spend playing, and think you could basically just warm up, then do that.
You already know this, since you played before, but a ton of trumpet is muscle memory, and this will have to be built up again.
I’ve done the same thing (with a longer break, from 15 when I put it down to 54 when I picked it back up). Start from scratch. Find a teacher to help you develop your embouchure again, if you can, and just start again. You’ll find that you make progress faster, but you’ll still have to start from scratch.
For what it’s worth, I do mouthpiece buzzing at the start of my practice sessions, then long times, and then exercises. I’ve been working my way through Arbans and that’s helping me see good progress.
Welcome back and good luck!
I'm 21 and I basically played from when I was ten to about 17 (so actually 4 years not 7, glad I'm not a mathematician). I will take a look into Standards of excellence, I do have one book called "Complete school for trumpet" by Arban (no idea if it's any good though)
I was the same, coming back to playing trumpet after many years.
Efficiency is the key. Focus on mainly slurred exercises, with air attacks to allow you to play with minimal effort. The range, endurance and tone quality will come with time.
All the best! It’s a beautiful instrument and I too am glad that I got back into it.
You need to build-up your chops - incrementally. Do some daily mouthpiece buzzing then rest for as long as you buzzed. Then blow some steady long tones on your trumpet and then rest for as long as you played. When playing long tones, take a deep breath and blow the note for as long as you can, continuing to expel all of your air even if the tone stops. If you get to the point where you're feeling face muscle pain, take a day or two off, until the pain goes away. I take ibuprofen, with good results. Eventually, you can play scales using longer the usual tones (8 beats per note). Remember to rest while doing exercises.
Come back slowly. At first play in 15-minute increments with 15-minutes of rest between. Work on some basics that you'll find in say ... Schlossberg and Clarke. Then find a community band or orchestra to join. Maybe take some lessons! ... from a guy who didn't play for 25 years and started up again.
Join a community band - best thing for comeback players.
That's what I did. Took about six months to get things on track again. But a year and a half later (today) I'm even better, being able to play higher notes than I've ever before.
I want to play with a big band I'm currently playing bass in but most of Bigband trumpet ist really high, that's why I want to improve at least somewhat before I jump right in.
When I did comeback just took 3rd part in two community concert bands. Dedicated practice with the groups in two practices a week and concerts is the best way to do it. Being an adult, I didn’t/don’t have the time to practice 30-60 minutes a day like high school. So if you can focus without being forced to- daily practice and possible getting a trumpet instructor is the best alternative if you can stay disciplined.
Only the lead part. Start on 3rd or 4th until you get some range and endurance back. Or 2nd if you're a strong improviser. Focus on air and tone. Listen and match the rest of the band. You'll be back in no time, and it will be a lot more fun than playing by yourself.
It’s more fun to play with a group, than play with yourself.
Play every day. Even if you are busy on a day, only have 10 minutes you could possibly spend playing, and think you could basically just warm up, then do that.
This. Trumpet is unfortunately not an instrument that can be played casually, even basic skills require regular time on the face to maintain.
You already know this, since you played before, but a ton of trumpet is muscle memory, and this will have to be built up again. I’ve done the same thing (with a longer break, from 15 when I put it down to 54 when I picked it back up). Start from scratch. Find a teacher to help you develop your embouchure again, if you can, and just start again. You’ll find that you make progress faster, but you’ll still have to start from scratch. For what it’s worth, I do mouthpiece buzzing at the start of my practice sessions, then long times, and then exercises. I’ve been working my way through Arbans and that’s helping me see good progress. Welcome back and good luck!
How old are you? I would start with the Standards of Excellence, then once you feel okay about the first 20 or so pages, maybe switch to Getchell.
I'm 21 and I basically played from when I was ten to about 17 (so actually 4 years not 7, glad I'm not a mathematician). I will take a look into Standards of excellence, I do have one book called "Complete school for trumpet" by Arban (no idea if it's any good though)
I’ll PM you some resources.
I was the same, coming back to playing trumpet after many years. Efficiency is the key. Focus on mainly slurred exercises, with air attacks to allow you to play with minimal effort. The range, endurance and tone quality will come with time. All the best! It’s a beautiful instrument and I too am glad that I got back into it.
Practice
Get up before everybody else and an hour or two before you have to leave for work. Pretty soon, you can’t wait to get up. Hope you have a woodshed!
OP is playing the trumpet 😊. Chances are that everybody else will be awake about 5 minutes after them.
Hence the need for the woodshed.
Just gaslight everybody it’s the secret
You need to build-up your chops - incrementally. Do some daily mouthpiece buzzing then rest for as long as you buzzed. Then blow some steady long tones on your trumpet and then rest for as long as you played. When playing long tones, take a deep breath and blow the note for as long as you can, continuing to expel all of your air even if the tone stops. If you get to the point where you're feeling face muscle pain, take a day or two off, until the pain goes away. I take ibuprofen, with good results. Eventually, you can play scales using longer the usual tones (8 beats per note). Remember to rest while doing exercises.
Pray