John Q Ericson
O Arizona tem um boletim informativo regional do IHS, Trompa na Cordilheira. O representante da área recentemente perguntou aos professores de trompa da área suas opiniões sobre o tópico da longevidade, como tocar trompa por muitos anos. Por se tratar de um tema que deve interessar a todos, gostaria de apresentar aqui também minhas reflexões.
Como escrevi na Trompa na Cordilheira, a longevidade como tocador de trompa está relacionada a pelo menos três áreas que podem precisar de ajustes ao longo do tempo em relação ao processo de envelhecimento. Embora cada um desses itens possa ser expandido em um artigo completo sobre o tópico, esses três são pontos de partida importantes para reflexão e discussão.
- Equipment. Many players, as they age, report that they need to switch to a mouthpiece with a slightly larger inner diameter. It has something to do with aging and the lips. Also it may be well worth investigating different brands and models of horns and mouthpieces, more responsive equipment will be of help as the body changes slowly over time.
- Warm-up. Many good players when they are young get into a warm-up routine that in reality is a warm-up that extends well into a practice/technical routine. There is a point where the warm-up that worked for you for years may actually be causing problems, it may expend too much energy too quickly, and the length of the routine could be too long beyond the point where you are warmed-up and ready to play. Be sure you are warmed-up well in the mid-range before you expend much energy.
- Breathing. Finally, there is certainly an aging process to breathing. The lungs are less elastic as we age; younger players can sound fine with so-so breathing but as you age you really do need to make the most of what lung capacity you have.
There are many examples of hornists who have played successfully for years and years. I am convinced that part of their success was a willingness to make gradual changes and to listen to their bodies in relation to the three topics above. A practice routine and equipment that worked well for you at age 22 may not be so ideal 25 years later or even five years later, as even then you can begin the process of working yourself into problems by being unwilling to consider change. It will increase your longevity as a hornist.