I like to ease into environments, and that doesn't really work for trumpet playing. This past Sunday I played the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, and I opened with the 3rd Movement. Take a look, I started off tentative. It wasn't "bad," but you could tell that I wanted to ease into the piece. I wasn't going for it, and it took me until about 1/3 of the way through the piece to settle in. This is too late. So how do I train myself to take more risks in the moment?
There are two main aspects I believe: Centering/Visualization & knowing your environment well, AKA practicing.
1. Don Greene and Noa Kageyama are on to something when they talk about centering regularly through their books and courses. Centering incorporates breathing, focal points, and visualization of the first phrase. I also remember Tim Hudson talking about visualization, "hear it perfectly the first time, so when you play it, it's actually the 2nd time." I have actively worked on these concepts, and will continue to do so.
2. Dr. Rob Murray told me recently that playing trumpet is like jumping into your favorite waterhole. Assuming you know the environment well, and have practiced your part well, then you have to trust your knowledge, and jump in full force. Why would you ease into the waterhole in front of other's when you're used to jumping straight in on your own?
Time to Keep Exploring,
Adam C White
