Okay.. so I haven't updated in awhile.

Yes, that was very bad of me.. tsk tsk.. I just didn't have the heart to state the outcome of my recital. I thought I did great, it was one of the best performances I've ever done! To think, I did it with a lighting problem too.. though I'm not blaming my shortcomings on that. The fact I couldn't see parts of my music was very stressing and irritating; but I will accept that I still have a long way to go in regards to trumpet playing and assume that is how I achieved a very low mark. :( Don't worry, I passed, but still did not get what I was hoping for or felt I deserved. I won't go into a rant because I'm trying to remain optimistic and positive.

On the plus side, I did really good in my studio studies and ended up with a really stellar mark between the two so that is good. :) Really gave me the boost I needed to continue on. The semester is at a close and I am trying to stay on top of practicing. It is hard during the summer.. ugh.. especially with working all day, every day. I'll keep you updated...

Update time. Only ONE WEEK to go!

Okay, after a week of rest earlier in the month my muscles are better and I'm back to playing the trumpet 2-3 hours a day. yay! I'm getting really nervous now though because it is a week from today (in fact a week from this exact hour) that I will be performing my recital.
AHHHHHHH!

My what an adventure it has been; last week my accompanist wasn't sure they could learn all of my music so I tried to hunt for another, with no luck. Then Friday I'm awakened with a phone call that he definetly can't learn the one piece. Marissa start freaking out and trying to reach her teacher who is out of town for the week. Just great, I hadn't had a lesson with him for three weeks!! Finally on Sunday I get in contact with him and his suggestion is to find another pianist (with 9 days until my recital? i don't think so!!).
Monday: we pick a back up plan, I have a trio I've composed and if needed we would play this instead.
Tuesday: I ran through all the songs with my accompanist, sure they aren't great but in the end I know it'll all work out. I'm feeling much better now! no more tears!! yay!
Wednesday: I've still got a ton of practicing to do and I must try to do it without burning out my lips.

howdy again... report on my health

I figured that since I was hurting and unable to practice I figured there wasn't much to give for an update. I am starting to feel better but won't bother trying to pick up the trumpet until tomorrow night (atleast I won't blow into it, fingering is important to practice). I was trying to massage the muscles on my stomache and lower ribs.. and wow! It's like full of knots... craziness. Painful too!

My lesson today consisted of my teacher and I discussing my injury and then saying good-day. I believe it was about 10-15 minutes :).
So, in the mean time I shall practice fingerings, sight-singing, and listening.

hmmm... a major set back..

Note the lack of post from yesterday: Marissa was at the Emergeny Room all day long yay!!! arrived there in the morning and didn't leave until after 9 pm last night. ugh, it was not fun!

So, the prognosis from the Doctor is that I have a muscle damage in my abdominal muscles. This sucks! It hurts in my upper left abdomen. Sitting is painful, and trying to sleep at night isn't very good either. Playing the trumpet! ouch! ( I tried today). I mentioned to the doctor that I play trumpet and he's like 'nah, that wouldn't do it'... right.. obviously he's never played one. I suspect I might have hurt it this weekend at jazz rehersal. Now what do I do?

I still need to practice as my recital is a month away! (yikes) however I can't practice much or too high. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm happy that it doesn't seem to be a hernia.. but we'll see if it doesn't get better I'll have to go back again.

February is here?!?! ahhh!!!

Sorry about the lack of posts for the last couple days :) Perhaps I wanted to deny the arrival of Feb. (even though my birthday is this month. whoowho!)

Okay, so... back to trumpet stuff: On Thursday I had a pretty good lesson *thumbs up* played my Danny Boy transcription, which I have to perfect for next week- not a problem as I have the notes down, I just have to work on the vibrato and tone now. In addition to that I have to play the first four bars of Angel Eyes in 4 different keys, from memory. As well, I must pick another song to transcribe. ahhhh!!! :) it'll be fun, but a lot of work, I'm scared.

Friday: I had a little more slack day today which was probably good because after a wicked long rehersal on Thursday I needed it! I didn't practice until friday night, but my lips were feeling so good.. I could've played for hours!! but I didn't.. only one.. I did also make up a little "worksheet" of exercises to do everyday, these are based on parts of the Beversdorf Sonata, that way when I get to playing it again I'll have those parts all practiced up.

Today: okay, so I glossed over Saturday.. it wasn't that noteworthy.. just a little more practicing, though not as much as I'd wanted; I did start to work on Angel Eyes (I love that song!) I did a nice warm up so my lips are ready to go for jazz band rehersal, and perhaps later I'll throw in another hour of practicing.

Yay for me!

Today has been a small victory day, but I'm quite happy with my continued improvement and success. I ran through the second movement of the Hummel this afternoon and thought it sounded much better than last week, or a couple days ago even. I feel as if my hard work is really paying off. This makes me excited. I really want to make a great impression at my recital which is about 34 days away. yikes! I want to make myself proud, make my family proud, and make my teacher proud.

Another reason I'm happy with my trumpeting today is that my endurance has also improved. I can practice for 2 hours (not in one session) and not be entirely sore and fried. My lips could reherse even longer. Perhaps I'll try and get 2.5 hours in a day, on top of school rehersals.

Allright, I've put some more effort into my listening today- which will come in handy as I apparently have to sing in my next lesson! aahhhhh!!!! I only like to sing when there are blinding spotlights in my face, or others singing with me. And to sing the Hummel? I understand the benefits of it.. but it's still scary to sing for my prof.

As well today was well spent on transcribing Danny Boy; the purpose of which is to work on my vibrato and such. Going pretty good I think, I just wish I didn't have to do most of my practicing in the apartment.. once the weather isn't so horrible it'll be better, I can travel to the university more frequently. I suppose I should do some more work on the Hummel 2nd movement. I may, or may not, perform it tomorrow at our weekly Trumpet Masterclass at school. We'll see... I get so nervous playing for others!!! but, I'm getting better at that too. yes!


Oh yes!!! and more great news, I have an accompanist finally! This makes me so relieved, I find that to be half the stress. Now, I must await the arrival of my music at the music store.