[TPIN] come-back players having fun on the 4th

[Joe Slaughter]

I'm just a regular come-back player who is enjoying what he's doing.  30 
years away from the trumpet, now playing again for over a year.  Glad I 
found TPIN & glad I found Pops McLaughlin (www.Bbtrumpet.com) & 
discovered he is close enough to have some lessons.  His embouchure 
recommendations & encouraging style of teaching helped me keep going 
(it's difficult to come back after 30 years) until I could play again. 
Great input & advice through TPIN w/ Michael Goode, Jennie Pocious, and 
of course, Michael Anderson, (how does he have time to keep up w/ all 
this?).  All nice people.

I think part of the challenge to a come-back player is the mental side 
-- remembering what we could do (or at least think we could do) while in 
high school & college & having to take it so gradual to gain back at 
least some of that ability.  I'm just glad that Pops pushed me to go 
ahead & find a band to play with.

The Thursday night jazz band at Richland College in a Dallas suburb 
introduced me to the nuances of the jazz band (I had only played 
classical) & to some really good jazz players in the Dallas area. Nice 
guys & a strong lead trumpet player -- Rob Jonas. (I still don't know 
how he gained his endurance.)  Then I joined the Town North Concert Band 
to keep playing during the summer.
Both these experiences have given me so many enjoyable times & 
introduced me to some other good musicians.

This morning, I played at a July 4th neighborhood Dallas celebration w/ 
the concert band --- a parade, awards for participant, rides for the 
kids, watermelon seed spitting contest, hot dogs, the band playing all 
marches & patriotics under a red-white-& blue decorated gazebo.  
Wrapping up about 11:00 a.m. (I wonder if this is how Sousa's band 
sometimes played?)  Returned home & did some "honeydo" projects - 
putting out flowers, letting chops rest, (those marches put you through it).

Tonight, I'm playing with the MetroPraise Orchestra at a celebration & 
fireworks show as a sub on 3rd while some of their guys are on vacation. 
I am sometimes on 4th... just depends on who is out at the time.  They 
complemented me when they said I was a good reader so they could move me 
around.  (Of course I'm having to concentrate like crazy to keep up w/ 
these guys.)

They engaged me for a set - 6 rehearsals (Sunday afternoons for 2 hrs.) 
- followed by 3 concerts - no pay, but you get to have fun.   The 
arrangements are excellent -- dance band standards --- hymns in big band 
style arranged by Ralph Carmichael --- Maynard Ferguson arrangements (we 
open w/ the Rocky theme & the lead guy on this band can play the Maynard 
solo) --- Stan Kenton's Jesus Christ Superstar (another one that really 
pushes the lead trumpet guy) --- Camp Kirkland arrangements - some from 
the Pecos River Brass, etc.

It's a lot of fun. Having the ability to give back some of the music I 
have enjoyed & giving people the ability to have a live band even at 
times they don't have the budget for it --- and getting to play & learn 
at the same time.

I really enjoy hearing what all of you have to say -- especially those 
of you who are pros & can give us tips & lessons. 

Keep that info comin' this way.  Have a great 4th.