[TPIN] Projection vs. Blasting, Strength vs. Efficiency,on and on........

[David Arndt]

I was going to discipline myself not to post again today, but want to
highlight something Mike Vax said in his recent post:

[-----Original Message-----
[On Behalf Of Vaxtrpts at aol.com

[I even think that some analogies about practicing and weight
[lifting might be in order, but one thing I am adamantly
[against is over doing the work that your embouchure does.  The
[weight lifting thing of sometimes pushing the muscles to
[complete exhaustion, I would NEVER do.  I still remember
[hearing Mendez in a clinic when I was in high school, saying
["rest as much as you  play." 
[I think the part from weight lifting about a certain number of
[ repetitions
[and a certain weight and then rest, is a good thing.  
[Practicing until you
[can't play anymore and your chops actually hurt, will NOT 
[build up your endurance, it will do just the opposite.


Words to live by.  Mike expressed much more precisely the point I've been
trying to get across, mostly for the benefit of young *ambitious* players
who might be watching this list.

It's a balance.  A certain amount of 'isometrics' and 'heavy lifting' are
necessary, but the goal is always to build up, not tear down, as Mike said.

There is also a practice vs. performance dichotomy.  On the gig, you do
what's necessary.  When you see players like Mike, or Bergeron, et.al.,
'turning it up' on stage, that's one thing... But in the practice room, the
focus should be on construction (not destruction).  Practice what you need
to prepair yourself, but have confidence: Don't use the practice room to
'prove stuff' to yourself (or the trumpeter in the next room!)

Anyway... So much for discipine.  Back to work...

- da