Returning to brass after 23 years

[Rhys]

Hi everyone,

When I was school age, I played a EEb tuba for a couple of local brass bands, unfortunately as with many players, it came to an end when I went to university and had to say goodbye to the band. 23 years later, a friend hands me her baritone and we were both as surprised as each other when a rather lovely tone came out and I still remembered enough to play a scale! This sparked off an idea and a week later, there's a shiny new wessex dolce euphonium on it's way to my house.
Whilst waiting for it to arrive, I guess I'd better arm myself with some music, tuition pieces etc

Can anyone recommend specific texts/cd/dvds I should buy to help me get back up an running? Any advice?

Thank you!

Rhys

[tonewheeler]

Welcome back to the fold. I think you will discover that a lot of the members of this group share your experience. I recommend an Arban's method book and join a community band.

[tampaworth]

Great advice by tonewheeler!

If you like hymns, a while back daniel76309 turned me on on to a great book with cd accompaniment at the link below:

http://www.justforbrass.com/classic-...ano-112008.cfm

Technique exercies are important of course, but it's nice to have fun and feel like you are a legend in your own mind while practicing too

Welcome to the forum and enjoy!

[tampaworth]

I just noted that this is out of stock at this link. You want the solo book with CD accompaniment. I'm sure if you tool around on the web you can find it in stock somewhere. Just wanted to make sure you didn't get the accompaniment book by mistake!

[RickF]

Hi Rhys,

Yes, welcome back to the fold of brass playing. As a moderator, I see from your IP address that you reside in the south of England. I suspect that you probably read treble clef... but maybe you read both, don't know. If treble, the suggestion of Arbans book stands but maybe get one for trumpet. I still use mine and it's over 50 years old.

I'm back to playing now 14 years after over 30 year-lay-off.

[Rhys]

Hi Rhys,

Yes, welcome back to the fold of brass playing. As a moderator, I see from your IP address that you reside in the south of England. I suspect that you probably read treble clef... but maybe you read both, don't know. If treble, the suggestion of Arbans book stands but maybe get one for trumpet. I still use mine and it's over 50 years old.

I'm back to playing now 14 years after over 30 year-lay-off.

Well spotted, I'm in the UK, so yes, I'm more familiar with the treble clef - although I also read choral music so the bass clef isn't totally foreign to me. I'll try to find the Abran trumpet book, it sounds like a sensible option.

I would dearly love to join a band again but unfortunately, I work away from home most of the time so I can't really commit.

Thanks for the welcome everyone! I'll let you know how I get on once the instrument arrives. I can't wait!

Rhys

[davewerden]

Welcome, Rhys! The advice above is spot on. I consider the Arban book an absolute must, and if you can only have one book, it's the one! But make sure you get the Complete Conservatory Method. It has content that is missing is some other editions.

[jhfitzsimmons]

If at all possible, commit to a group

Welcome, Rhys! The advice above is spot on. I consider the Arban book an absolute must, and if you can only have one book, it's the one! But make sure you get the Complete Conservatory Method. It has content that is missing is some other editions.

I also took 20 years off from playing. I stopped playing when I graduated high school in 83. In 2003 I heard the Pine Bush Community Band playing and was inspired. I found an inexpensive euphonium and joined. I am now playing better then I've ever played in high school. And that is thanks to a supportive group a musicians who more then put up with my learning curve and to the bands routine schedule (practice every Monday from March through Christmas, and playing 14 concerts). Being responsible to a group definitely motivated my commitment.

[Davidus1]

Along with the Arban I would recommend Bordogni etudes. They are very helpful! One source is Encore Music:

http://www.encoremupub.com

I wish you well in your return. Congrats on the new horn!

[davewerden]

Along with the Arban I would recommend Bordogni etudes. They are very helpful! One source is Encore Music:

Good tip! Also, Encore carries the Complete Arban book in two versions, treble and bass. The treble version is edited by Allen Vizzutti, and the bass by Brian Bowman and Joe Alessi. If you feel like you need some advice on how to focus the various exercises, the (more expensive) Encore version might be a good investment. They are both well edited and contain very few mistakes (unlike the older bass clef versions).

[John the Theologian]

I came back about a year ago after a roughly 20 year lay-off of serious playing, with about a 5 year gap of any playing at all. It takes a little time and effort, but it does come back. Just don't get frustrated when some things-- consistent clean attacks, upper range, flexibility, etc. take a little long to start to shape up. I especially found that my the flexibility in my fingers on my euphonium-- I play trombone as well-- took much longer than my ability to move the trombone slide. I found that playing scale exercises in G concert and D concert were great to help with the finger flexibility because they force you to move all of the fingers on each scale. I used the Pares Scales book, but I'm sure other scale exercises would work just as well.

[Rhys]

Well, the instrument has arrived, all lovely and shiny! I was surprised as to how much I still remember! I struggle a bit on the upper registers and my playing is a biz "lazy" but it's getting better every day. I've ordered a load of music online, most of it a little ambitious! Arban is still on it's way, hopefully it will arrive soon.

I had a quick scan through the book I remember learning the cornet on when I was 9 years old "A tune a day" luckily I didn't order it because it's far more basic than I remember!

[Davidus1]

Well, the instrument has arrived, all lovely and shiny! I was surprised as to how much I still remember! I struggle a bit on the upper registers and my playing is a biz "lazy" but it's getting better every day. I've ordered a load of music online, most of it a little ambitious! Arban is still on it's way, hopefully it will arrive soon.

I had a quick scan through the book I remember learning the cornet on when I was 9 years old "A tune a day" luckily I didn't order it because it's far more basic than I remember!

Very happy for you! Its a special time when one gets a new instrument. I wish you well.