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Thread: Practice restrictions

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Vinton,VA
    Posts
    211

    Practice restrictions

    Since Christmas, my wife and I have been caregivers for my parents, and it looks like it will be for an indefinite period of time. My euph is back home in Virginia and I'm in Florida. I have my mp and I buzz tunes, sirens, etc several times a week. My intention is to bring my horn down soon, but won't be able to play in the house due to mom's severe anxiety attacks. We're in a gated community with a nice, large clubhouse with multiple meeting and activity rooms. The clubhouse manager has agreed to my practicing in one of the rooms as long as I use my practice mute (I convinced her it virtually silences the sound and shouldn't disturb anyone). Can I keep my chops and tone in reasonable shape with the practice mute only? If I get lucky, a few other musicians might be living in the community and we could do an entertainment night from time to time, but no guarantee there. Thoughts?

  2. #2
    My practice mute is not without its own personality, but it is very useful for situations like you describe.

    First, you can keep your chops strong with the mute - that's its best feature. And of course you can keep your fingers in great shape. Your air support will probably improve.

    BUT, the note-to-note intonation is affected, so you may find a flat note to be flatter with the mute, for example. And response is obviously affected, so your delicacy may slip a bit. For me, the range about high C concert is pretty odd and I pretty much hate playing there with the mute, but it can be done.

    If you could get to a large room once a week or so to remind yourself what normal playing is like without the mute, that would be very helpful.
    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
    Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
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  3. #3
    You might check and see if there's a church nearby that would let you use one of their Sunday School classrooms a few times a week.
    David Bjornstad

    1923 Conn New Wonder 86I, Bach 6 1/2 AL
    2018 Wessex EP100 Dolce, Denis Wick 4ABL
    2013 Jinbao JBEP-1111L, Denis Wick 4AM
    2015 Jinbao JBBR-1240, Denis Wick clone mouthpiece of unknown designation
    Cullman (AL) Community Band (Euph Section Leader)
    Brass Band of Huntsville (2nd Bari)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Vinton,VA
    Posts
    211
    Very helpful thoughts David B. and David W., Thank you.

  5. You could consider a park or public area, such as a large, unused parking lot?

    If you have a large car (van?) you could also consider finding a somewhat remote place and playing in your car.

  6. If you practice in a public place and put out a hat, you might even earn some change! (I'm kidding)

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