Fatigue
Athletes work to stem off fatigue and in doing so increase their endurance. Trumpet players are similar in that without strong chops or embouchure, a player’s amount of time being able to play music is limited. What I have noticed since beginning to play trombone is that most trumpet players tire much more quickly than do trombone players. I’m not saying that trombone players don’t complain of tired embouchures for they do, but the trumpet embouchure tires more quickly than does the trombone embouchure.
Fatigue can be seen not only in the lip muscles but also in the back, the arms as well as the whole body. Muscle fatigue can be traced to playing mistakes and a player needs to strengthen these muscles in order to lessen mistakes caused by this fatigue. Increased practice will usually solve this problem.
But what can be done when you have added to your practice routine and you still make mistakes because of fatigue? Below I have listed a few suggestions which might help stem the tide of mistakes caused by fatigue.
Suggestions to help lessen mistakes caused by fatigue-
• Get plenty of rest the night before a performance
• Drink plenty of water an hour before you perform
• Drink coffee only if it does not make you nervous
• Take a few slow, deep breaths through your nose before you enter the stage
• Take a shower before you leave for the concert
• Brush your teeth before you leave for the performance
• If you can’t shower, at least wash your face before the concert
• Do not over eat before you perform
• Sit quietly in a comfortable chair a few minutes before entering the stage. As you sit, concentrate on your back, arms and neck muscles and feel each area as it relaxes into the chair.
• “Finger” through your parts slowly for the last time before entering the stage to assure yourself that you know your music completely.
• Moments before you enter the stage, say to yourself, “No one knows this music better than I”.
Even with all this preparation, realize that you are probably going to “drop” a couple notes along the way. Also realize that you are human and in being such, you will make mistakes on most of your live performances. That’s the reason recorded tracks are so popular.
