“We are creatures of habit”. If you doubt this fact, try taking these simple tests.
1. The next time you brush your teeth, place your tube of tooth paste in the drawer with the cap pointing the opposite direction.
2. Cross your hands and try to place your right thumb in the opposite overlap.
3. When driving your car today, always keep your hands in a 10 & 2 position on the steering wheel.
4. When drinking from a cup today always pick it up with the opposite hand.
5. When answering your phone today always greet the person with “Good Morning”.
6. When you go to bed this evening, sleep on the opposite side of the bed.
7. Hold your phone with the opposite hand and try to work the buttons.
8. Put your wrist watch on your opposite wrist.
9. Men. Put your billfold in the other pants pocket today.
10. Women. Place your phone in a different section of your purse.
The answer to my first question is simple; we seldom think about habitual actions and for that reason, we need to be constantly reminded.
Now let’s address some of the most common bad habits trumpet players make and give some suggestions as to how you might be able to correct these habits.
How do I correct the habit of keeping my little finger in the hook?
Answer- “Cover it with tape”.
Even when we want to keep our finger out of the hook, it seems almost impossible to correct. The reason for this is that we seldom think about it and the tape is always there to remind us.
How can I learn to keep my bell up when I play?
Answer- “Raise your music stand”.
After about a week of having your music stand raised to its highest position, you will begin to keep your bell in a higher position also.
How can I learn to keep my throat more open when I play?
Answer- “Slur everything for a week”.
The more your tongue is involved with starting notes, the more restricted your throat will become. Try practicing double and triple tonguing for a solid week and notice how much brighter your tone becomes and how more closed your throat has become.
How can I learn to move my valves faster?
Answer- “Slur everything for a week”.
When you slur notes they are closer together which give you less time to move your valves.
How can I learn to improve my accuracy when hitting different notes?
Answer- “Slur everything for a week”.
When you slur notes they are closer together which give you less time to move your lips.
How can I learn to improve my endurance?
Answer- “Play softer”.
A 10% decrease in volume will give you 20% increase in endurance. Your fellow musicians will not recognize your 10% softer playing but will definitely recognize the 20% increase in your endurance.
How can I learn to use less mouthpiece pressure?
Answer- “Use sticky notes”.
When practicing alone, place a sticky note on your bell which reads “LESS PRESSURE, STUPID”.
How can I remember to extend my third slide on low Ds and C#s?
Answer- “Use sticky notes”.
When practicing alone, place a sticky note on your bell which reads “USE YOUR THIRD SLIDE, STUPID”. Or better yet READ THE POST Tube Extentions STUPID”.
How can I remember to clean my horn?
Answer- “Use sticky notes”.
Place a note in the inside of your lid which reads…..you guessed it.
How can I remember to have a pencil at every rehearsal?
Answer- “Use a magnet”.
Epoxy a small magnet to a pencil and place the pencil in your case. Each time you’re at a rehearsal, take the pencil out and place it on the stand. You better make several of these for you will forget to replace it in your case when you leave.
How can I remember to leave with my pencil after every rehearsal?
Answer- “Use sticky notes”.
Place a note in the inside of your lid which reads…..you guessed it again.
Learning to break bad habits is easy. All we need is to be reminded a few dozen times and then it becomes a good habit.
Now if I could only learn when to
lift the seat and lower the seat.
