'Feel Good' Treats

I reward myself everyday to maintain my determination. I sneak in little 'treats' every day to keep my musical mind stimulated and to shake off frustration. The most effective reward has been working out and allowing myself to join my college's tennis team. Not only does the exercise make me feel physically better, but that time spent away from my instrument has only made my study with the horn more productive. Specifically in tennis, I'm reserved on the court, sort of like Roger Federer but without all the finesse and talent. I like to analyze my playing and technique during play. This however becomes very distracting while versing an opponent. Unfortunately this bad habit has been brought on by my musical upbringing and study. A bad habit which is most times beneficial in musical study. Nowadays being so focused on an embouchure change has me extremely picky! Picky in most aspects of my life, (its a pain in the ass). My biggest challenge now in the practice room is to not preoccupy my mind. I need to learn how to just put all my good fundamental "re-discoveries" to work, but do so by just picking up the horn and PLAYING! JUST BREATHE AND PLAY TRUMPET. I need to practice with a freer mind and I think my rewards help me do so. Another treat of mine is score-reading. This has been my most cherished stress-reliever. Taking time to just sit down with a score, cup of coffee, (maybe one of those chocolate croissants from Starbucks), and listening to a great recording by a great orchestra/ensembles/etc. It seems that a lot of students over-look score-reading. There's no pressure with it; just listen to good music, read the score, pick up nuances that catch your eye, dictate certain melodies/themes that speak to you, and just maybe listen to it again. I like to take my transcribed melodies or themes into the practice room and play them as beautifully or aggressive or dramatic as possible when I get bored with 'Clarke' or 'Arban'. Unfortunately then I'll over-do an etude, but that's another story.

Treats today:

-5 mile run
-Tchaikovsky Symphony 6 (Bernstein and NYP)
-Netflix (a controlled dosage)