In spite of my best intentions to return to a normal playing routine, my desire and need to spend time with people that are important to me still rules the day. While I am in California I am going to take the time out to spend with friend and family that live here, and I do it without regret, whenever I can make it work. There will be time to practice when I am home in a few days time. I have, however, been able to get in some playing each of the last two days.

Yesterday, I worked in a Caruso routine, plus a run through of the Honegger Intrada during my 15 minute “break” in the Caruso exercises. The Honegger was not on the agenda, but it sounded and fun and I felt like I could handle it without too much strain. It has long been a repertoire piece for me, so I just played it from memory and enjoyed making music for the first time in over a week.

Today, I actually did exactly the same thing. I am a bit upset with myself because I could have squeezed in more practicing today. Instead, I spent the time I had doing some research for the website. I have been very curious about further developing the RSS feed for this blog. I started doing some research on that, and before I knew it, my window for practicing had closed. There won’t be time this evening, so my one routine will have to suffice. This kind of thing is bound to happen during the holidays, or when you travel. The important thing is to keep it to a minimum, and to make sure to get your strength work in whenever you have time.

§ 3 Responses to Holiday Madness Continues"

• gus says:

  January 16, 2006 at 2:45 pm

  Nice article, and thanks for taking time to do this wonderful job. I used to play pro ( or cuasi pro ) and now I am having another job. As a consequence I ve seen many skills deteriorate as a consequence of not practicing. First one coordination, second resistance and a result of the lack of proper coordination and resistance, musicianship.

  Your articles make me think on what i need to do on the short term when I can practice.

  Anyway I would like to ask you a question that bothered me even when I was practicing more, What do you suggest to people who has the tendency of playing with much intra oral pressure or “fast air”.

  Thanks and have a good year.

  Gus
• Craig Morris says:

  January 16, 2006 at 4:53 pm

  Gus,

  I think the best thing you can do in the short term is to introduce some kind of daily strength routine. Some kind of Caruso like strength routine would help keep you in shape on days that you can’t play very much. That way, on days where you do have time, you will have enough strength to work on things like coordination.

  As far as what to do if you are using “fast air”, the first thing I would suggest is to not think too much! Concentrate more on what you sound like rather than how you play. If you do determine, however, that you are using too fast an airsteam then you would need to concentrate on getting the tongue down in the mouth, and on blowing with a more relaxed abdomen. I hope this helps!

  Craig
• gus says:

  January 17, 2006 at 12:33 pm

  I’ll be doing the Caruso’s and I’ll comment the results. Thanks for the time you take to answer us.

  Gus