Getting By- Or Practicing

In case you hadn't thought about it, and before now I never did, it can be quite difficult to practice an instrument like the trumpet in an apartment house. Unless, of course, your neighbors don't mind being disturbed by it. I have a hunch mine would. Since I moved back in December I have had a tough time figuring out how to practice at home for either of the bands I am now fortunate enough to be playing in.

I have tried a couple of times by using my cup mute and holding back on my playing. All the while I was practicing I would be more conscious of not playing loudly than working on what needed work. In short, I was just "getting by." That's not real bad when you are a lowly third trumpet. You kind of just drop out when you come to difficult passages- which there aren't many of in most of the music we play.

I have been able to keep my embouchure (lip and mouth muscles) in okay shape by the two rehearsals every week. But there were always passages that didn't ever quite fall into place. There were runs and licks that never quite came out the end of the horn the way the music says they are supposed to.

Over the past couple weeks, then, I have realized that if I am truly to be a part of the "band" not just a trumpet player sitting on the end making the band look bigger, I needed to practice. I needed to be doing my part to make the band be what it is supposed to be- a team. Too often that is what happens to many of us. We just get by. We make do. As someone once said the good is often the enemy of the better or even the best. We do with what works, what we can do without the extra work.

Sometimes- probably many times- there is nothing really all that bad or wrong with that. But it is cheating the whole picture, the other team members who are doing their part, the greater good. The greater good of a concert band or jazz big band will not be a matter of life or death for too many. My lack of playing in most situations will not have any negative impact on the sound or the experience.

But that's the easy way. The rationalizing way. The way that doesn't live up to the commitments we make. It's even a pretty selfish way- and self-centered enough to act as if one can do whatever it is they want to do. It also overlooks the joy of practicing that allows one to improve and work and see progress.

Not to mention that the rehearsals also become more fun because you are actually helping make the music.

[Note: My solution was I realized they make "practice mutes" that really deaden the sound and allow me to play without much worry. They actually work and now I don't have to just "get by." Neat.]