If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace. On the other hand, if our mental attitude is more negative, influenced by fear, suspicion, helplessness, or self-loathing, then even when surrounded by our best friends, in a nice atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, we shall not be happy.
Been practising the 3-part high-compression/yoga/wedge breath as used by Roger Ingram, Maynard Ferguson and Bobby Shew. I’ve found that as long as you don’t over-fill that it works really very effectively. I’m not sure how practical it is to use on a gig where you need to breath quickly as i find that just now it takes about 3-4 seconds to prepare it. Perhaps this will get better with practice though.
On another note recent chop issues seem to fading away after rearing their ugly head (hope I’m not speaking too soon). Not sure what the correct solution is – definitely a software issue rather than hardware though, but I seem to have been able to play though it. As my gorgeous Voni says – ” You’re over-analysing it…” She is ALWAYS right….. 
Roger Ingram from NAAM Show 2010 on the importance of being a versatile player.
Soo – good day today – got an afternoon rehearsal with Ryan’s bigband with Justin Currie from Del Amitri in preparation for a gig I’m depping for on the 20th. I’m a bit intimidated as these guys are all pro’s who play for a living & then there’s little old me! Really hope it goes ok & I don’t ‘eff’ things up too much or get too fatigued. I’ll be depping for Noel Langley, whom I’ve never met – he’s a regular on the London Studio scene & plays with Swing Out Sister.
Then after that got a Brass Impact rehearsal in preparation for Saturday – working on some new charts including Maynard Ferguson arrangement of ‘Fireshaker’ it’s going to be a long, hard day today, but I’m determined to get through it & give it my best.
I’m currently playing on a Monette MFIII mouthpiece, which is nice for lead, but I’m on the lookout for something a bit bigger/deeper for section stuff & jazz work which doesn’t ‘cut’ quite as much as the monette. Had a look on the Kanstul Comparator & the Shilke 13B Seems like a good rim match for the MFIII – same width & alpha angle, but with a tighter throat & deeper cup. Need to try & find one for a good price now!
So – Brass Impact rehearsal last night was a bit funny. For the first half of the rehearsal – I felt like I was really, struggling – even simple stuff was hard – no sound, no volume, no colour. Stopped for a break & I went into the back room to reset the chops. Second half of the rehearsal – I switched back to my Bobby Shew Lead mpiece. Nicer sound. Then all of a sudden I realised – “shit Ewan – you’re not breathing!!” Couple of large complete breaths later – & it’s all there – power, volume, sound, sweetness. Bit of a shame that I’d really pushed it too far in the first half on my chops to really be of benefit for the second. Don’t know if it was psychological, but I felt that switching back to my Shew Lead really helped as well.
I think the upshot is that that I NEED to stop using the silentbrass mute to practice. It just too stifling & I’m not getting a good workout in terms of my apparatus – breathing etc., I guess it was a lesson hard-learned. Don’t always assume that issues such as sound, tone, colour & volume are chop-related. On the hunt for a place to practise that’s close to home now.
Had a great hang with Ryan Quigley last night at his studio. Played some duets, drank coffee ( – you sure about those extra shots Ryan?) & talked trumpet. Has my arse handed to me on a plate when we did some jazz stuff tho! Great feedback from him tho & lots of stuff to do. Much work ahead I fear…
Ryan’s site
Well – Derek Watkins is going to be in Elgin this summer for the trumpet festival. I just love his sound & his playing. He has incredible chops, but exercises great taste and restraint in his playing. Here he is with James Last playing Mac Park.
Just updated the downloads page with some new stuff. George Eskdales Exercises.
