A thought about being an Old Beginner

[ann reid]

Something occurred to me as I’ve been practicing my lesson material this week, and I want to share what’s happened, in case it might be of use to someone else.

Besides my long tones, lip slurs and Arbans , I’ve been working on Rochut Etude #2. It was quite a thrill for me to get it, and I approached it as a huge bunch of hard notes, some of them high, and played it that way for a couple weeks. I actually REMEMBER as a kid doing exactly the same thing when being given something new.

In my last lesson, we worked on the first 8 measures, and after ignoring the interval between the first and second notes that I thought I’d spent a lot of time perfecting, my teacher said “Now just go ahead and blow through it”. I did, and it sounded like a euphonium!

This week I’ve been “blowing through” the whole etude, and besides sounding like a euphonium, my fingers are no worse than they were when I was focusing on finger technique instead of tone. AN AHA MOMENT!

Having played for about 8 months, I’m glad I rediscovered this sooner than later. I don’t know how many old beginners who are actively encouraged to fill the instrument with air, but I’m really glad I was!

[Euph Loosh]

Well said Ann! Bravo to you for working on the Etude #2.
I too am an Old Beginner (after a long hiatus) and have noticed this blow through just recently after joining a newer and much larger band where I am the only Euph and have to work harder to make myself heard. Huh, - all of a sudden I seem to sound better :-).

Happy Playing!

[jkircoff]

Great story Ann! One is never too young or old to learn something new!!! Keep at it!!!

[ann reid]

I have to add, in my lesson yesterday my very demanding teacher was impressed enough with my Rochut #2 to assign me Rochut#4. More rewarding and joy producing every time I practice.

[ChristianeSparkle]

I still find myself forgetting that, "filling up the horn with air". The bad habits just creeps up silently every so often and suddenly I found my tone suffering.

Congratulations on the progress! Sounds very exciting indeed! I too was told to move on to another Rochut 2 recently. Currently working on #21. The more etudes I play, the more favourites I have I thought #15 was my favourite.