Getting back into tuba shape

[TubaRay]

I hope I don't shock everyone, especially James, with my response. I think James has a difficult situation. Here are some of my thoughts:

1) No place to practice that fits his schedule. This is a really significant problem.
The suggestions of possible practice sites are good ones. They just don't
happen to be helpful.

2) Too tired to practice after work. Hey! He works at discount tire. Have you
ever watched how physically hard those guys work. He must be in pretty good
condition just to make it through the day.

3) Practice at his worksite. He works at a Discount Tire store. How likely is it
that he would be permitted to practice there after the store close? I'm
thinking that wouldn't be very likely. I'm guessing since he is a college student,
he probably hasn't worked his way very far up the Discount Tire ladder.
Therefore, this doesn't sound like a very likely possibility, even though it
might otherwise work.

4) James lacks the work ethic? Maybe, but I think this is probably not the case.
I have jumped all over some of his posts. I have been critical of his writing
ability. I have been very negative about his quickness to over-respond to some
posts. Although I am not often in his corner, in this case I think he probably
doesn't have much, if any, problem. I think very few people have the level of
dedication that I know Wade has. He has gotten where he is due to having a
truly outstanding work ethic. Yes, James, you might try to emulate Wade.

Finally: To James, I offer the following advice. If you are truly sincere about finding the time and place to practice, you need to continue to brainstorm. You may need to go home and practice before 9:00, and then eat supper. Perhaps there is a friend who could lend you a place to practice(They would have to be a pretty good friend). Lastly, the advice some have given about using a little practice time daily, is very good advice. I have been using this for years. I have been a band director with very little time or energy left at the end of the day. I do about a 17 minute routine aaalmoost every day. I am very dedicated to it. I am very rarely caught with very weak chops. I just spent the last five days camping. I took my tuba with me and daily went throught(you guessed it) my daily routine. It consists entirely of fundamentals. It is strictly work. It is not fun. For me, the motivation comes from knowing that I will be ready when I need to be.

So: Let's give the guy a break this time. Keep those suggestions coming. Perhaps we can help somehow.

(By the way, James, I was out in the somewhat vicinity of Abilene this week. I spent time in Junction, and also drove up through Brady and Brownwood.)

[KevinYoung]

Yeah, I think you're totally screwed! You should probably consider selling your horns, too.

Dude, c'mon!

So you've had some time off. So it sounds like *** when you play. Wanna know how to fix that? Stop worrying about it and put yourself in a situation where you do play everyday! The chops will come back, they always do.

Early in the morning, on one of those desolate farm roads outside Abilene city limits, you'll find a great place to do your daily routine. I've done it. Did a daily routine off of I-44 in Missouri a few months ago while traveling!

Do what YOU have to do, and NOT what SOMEONE else has to do!

-k

[tofu]

[Kayla]

I have been having problems myself trying to revamp my practice schedule with working "part time" (McDonald's sure does like to keep you over your scheduled hours), and having other commitments such as church functions and a significant other. However, I have found enough time to do the mouthpiece work as mentioned in previous posts. For some reason I find bass trombone practice more accessible, so I have that as well.

I'm sure you already do this, but I like to listen to as many recordings of all sorts of tuba music and ensemble music. For me, it helps a lot because it reminds me of that "tuba sound" we all want to have all the time. I did this a lot in middle/high school since I couldn't afford lessons, and continue it just for love of the instrument and music itself.

[Kayla]

Yeah, I'll have 3-4 days of 8-9 hour shifts, then I'm off for almost a week.

I did clock in almost 70 hours (felt like 100) for two weeks, sucked working it but it looks nice printed with some $$$ listed by it.

[Nick Pierce]

Well done James, best of luck with the practicing.
Wade, thanks for the advice, I'm taking it to heart as well.
James, just one question, slightly off topic. You site an eleven hour work day, yet still say you only work part time. Unless things are different in Texas (they might be, I don't have a clue), by my math that puts you at working like three days a week, four tops, leaving you about half the week to make up for lost practicing time. Did I miss something?

[Todd S. Malicoate]

He has ADD,specific is good

Severe ADD...self-diagnosed...I'm still trying to figure that one out.

There's really good medication for that, especially for adults. Get to a doctor, get a referral to a psych, then get medication. It's not complicated, and you should have the extra $$$ since you're working those 40+ weeks part-time.

No more pitiful replies...go do it!

[MartyNeilan]

Quit whining.

My first serious tuba teacher used to use the phrase "Things are tough all over" whenever I would start down that road.
He was right.

Quit whining.

[MaryAnn]

As long as you don't have to work a zillion hours *during* the semester, frankly I wouldn't worry about it. Really. Not everyone has the same physical capabilities, and personally if I try to practice when I'm dead tired, it doesn't get me anywhere but frustrated. But I would get the plastic tubing to stick on the end of the mouthpiece, and buzz on your way to and from work. The dizzyness will go away in time, and working through that will be an advantage. I made great strides during a 3-month period when I was buzzing on my horn mouthpiece, learning to make a smooth transition over the "break" between the middle and low ranges. I did this...you guessed it...during my 30 minute drive to and from work.

When the semester starts, it will take you a couple weeks to get back up to speed, but what you have to do *now* is make the money so you can go back to school. Then when you get back to school, what you have to do *then* is catch up on your tuba playing.

My reaction is probably more laid-back than some, but only the very, VERY few get to be pro tuba players, and neither I nor James is likely to be the tuba in the Philadelphia Orchestra. I was absolutely delighted to get to play tuba for a while in a couple of decent community orchestras.

MA

[Kayla]

I liked the playing in front of the store idea. Maybe get a sousaphone and just go to town, haha.

[Jarrod]

James,

I've been reading this thread and staying quite entertained....then I got to the part where you said you worked at Central and Bush!! This is NOT a dangerous location, brother. Plano was #1 on the CNN list of best places to live in the country (as a function of income being high/home prices low). I thought you moved to Detroit or Harlem by the way you were talking.

What you do with my next sentence will determine whether you really want to solve your problems and be a tuba player or not. Ready??

When you get off work drive 10 minutes south on 75. Turn right on Mockingbird Lane. Turn Right on Hillcrest. Pass Binkley and make your first right into the metered parking lot (meters are off after 7pm).

You are at the SMU music building, it is open until 11pm, and there are hundreds of empty rooms waiting for a tuba player. If you hear a tuba player playing, come knock on the door, it's probably me. Play for a couple weeks and then lets play duets

~Jarrod Robertson

[TubaRay]

I think I turned out to be a great player.

And from what I hear...extremely modest, too!

[Todd S. Malicoate]

My brain hurts...you have 13 hours of overtime in 2 months? That's not very much. You should have time to practice. Any reason you can't practice in the morning a couple of hours? You only have to get there early one day of the week. Try going to bed early (you're tired, anyway) and doing some "sunrise" tuba routine...good stuff.

The ride home is dangerous whether you buzz or not...use the time to keep your embouchure strong.

I think some folks who are sincerely trying to help you are getting frustrated because you tend to exaggerate the difficulties you're facing...how much time you're working, how dangerous the area is (so you can't take your horn with you), etc.

[Jarrod]

What you do with my next sentence will determine whether you really want to solve your problems and be a tuba player or not. Ready??

When you get off work drive 10 minutes south on 75. Turn right on Mockingbird Lane. Turn Right on Hillcrest. Pass Binkley and make your first right into the metered parking lot (meters are off after 7pm).

You are at the SMU music building, it is open until 11pm, and there are hundreds of empty rooms waiting for a tuba player. If you hear a tuba player playing, come knock on the door, it's probably me. Play for a couple weeks and then lets play duets

~Jarrod Robertson

James, it now seems like you're looking for reasons to not succeed. Otherwise, you would have had no reaction other than "Sweet, a great place to practice for free for several hours a day!"

Hope to see you practicing

[TMurphy]

That means bringing my tuba to work sitting in my hot small car for 10 hours (in a gig bag) and then showering, fighting rush hour traffic at that time. I just practice at home (plus i need a SMU parking permit)

No, it means bringing your tuba to work, and keeping it somewhere you can keep an eye on it/know it's safe. Employee break room, maybe??

Plus, Jarrod suggested parking in a metered lot, which does not require feeding the meter after 7PM. No permit needed.

If you'd prefer to practice at home, that's fine...buy a good practice mute and you'll be able to practice whenever you want, as long as you shut your door. Not a straight mute, but a practice mute.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

i mean the drive is dangerous with all the weavers

Again, the weavers will weave whether you BUZZ YOUR LIPS OR NOT!!!

You are killing me with the excuses...What is wrong with you? I'm talking about buzzing your lips to keep your chops strong. An hour a day. While you sit on your a** and drive. No mouthpiece, no fancy tubes, both hands on the wheel...just buzz. It's exercise for the muscles in your chops, which is what I thought you were concerned about "losing." Now, is there a reason you can't do that to keep your chops up?

And my aunt sleeps in till 9 on weekdays, so I cant really practice then, but I am getting more in with my new microscheduling

Who said anything about practicing where your aunt can hear you? Wake up early, go to the SMU Music Building (or campus, for that matter). Apparently, it's not far out of the way. Take your work clothes and change there somewhere before going on into Plano for work. Don't like that idea? Go to a public place like a park with a nice covered little building for barbeques and such...you do have those in Texas, right?

Seriously...I'm old, gray-haired, and stupid, and I can figure out a way to practice. This whole premise is so ridiculous I'm beginning to wonder if you really are a troll. If so, color me guilty.

[The Big Ben]

Geez, James. You think you got problems?

1. I asked if I could join the community orchestra in my little town. They said "no" on tuba because they already have two and there are 40 in the orchestra. However, they said I could play trumpet.

2. I asked if I could join the community band. You know, one of those 'summer time play in the park" things. Again, 'no' on tuba. They already have four and no more would fit on the stage in the park gazebo. However, you guessed it. I was welcome to play trumpet. *F--k that.*

So, it looks like it's more Arban's and etudes at home. I still like playing and like the tunes in the back of Arban's. I have an ace in the hole, though. I talked a buddy of mine into doing a 'rent to own' on a nice piano for his wife. She hasn't played in a few years but, at one time, she did a lot of accompaniment work. I have a book of easy solos with piano so, as soon as the piano arrives, we're gonna give that a try....

So, James, what are you going to do when you get your degree and have to struggle to find a venue- even for free- for your talents? Unless you are very lucky, you will be working a day job to feed yourself and pay the rent. If you get lucky, maybe after awhile you could go to half time at your day job and make the rest with gigs, half of which will be music you don't really like. Maybe you will get really, really lucky and someday be able to support yourself entirely with your tuba. I hope so.

Point is, if you can't find a way to practice *at all* now, what are you going to do when you have bills and maybe a wife and some kids?

Jeff "Why do James' questions frequently end like this?" Benedict

[The Big Ben]

Good luck, James. Sounds like a plan...

Go for it!

[Biggs]

rachimonikoff.

I LOVE him!!!!!!!111

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously dude, think long and hard about what Wade wrote earlier:
"Are you a laborer who is studying or a student who is laboring?"

FWIW, I work long, hard, hot days doing menial tasks and tiring physical labor in a garage, too. It sucks - especially if, like me, your friends have glamorous internships, salaried corporate jobs, or, at the very least, air-conditioned clerical work. Don't get down on yourself for working hard at something you hate - practicing tuba will seem that much more fun when you finally get to it!

My advice for maintaining sanity: After a particularly hard day (customers have threatened to kill me before..), forgo the practice time and sit down to watch your favorite show (Law and Order) with a big sandwich (salami and fried egg) and a cold beverage (iced tea or a beer) and relax. The tuba will be there tomorrow, and your playing won't have to be forced.

[MartyNeilan]

rachimonikoff.

I LOVE him!!!!!!!111

Is he related to the famous Russian composer Ivan Jerkinov?