My chops are incredibly inconsistent
Hello! I’m a 21 year old and I’ve been playing trumpet for about 5 years give or take. This is a quick run down, I started playing my sophomore year during Covid as a hobby. For never having a proper trumpet teacher I learned quick and I started with the Mariachi genre. My mariachi teacher barely knew the trumpet so I’m self taught for the most part. I played in Symphonic and Orchestra groups on the side but mariachi was always my first choice and my job.
Last year my Mariachi teacher invited me to his personal group as the second trumpet. I learned a lot being there the other trumpet player playing first trumpet was incredible and I was able to keep up. I’m talking 13 hour weekends no problem. 8 hour Saturdays followed by 5 hour Sundays.
This is where my issue begins. Late last year around November my boss/ teacher tells me that the other trumpet player is quitting and that I’ll have to take the mantel of first trumpet. I won’t lie and say I practiced, I honestly used my time very bad and barely did anything because I thought I had it in the bag. I figured I’d be able to get it done since I was already doing so good on second trumpet.
As time goes on my trumpet playing gets worse. My stamina isn’t anywhere near where it used to be I can barely last 4 hours and I’ve lost a lot of range. I used to be able to hold a high D and I can barely hit a B above the staff. Some days I can last up to even 5 hours other days I can’t even last 1. My boss hasn’t been at all supportive and really has just been belittling me, condescending, and straight up insulting.
During gigs I’m not able to reach those notes I used to be able to and when I play it feels like my lip is too stiff. What usually happens is my mouth feels weak like I’m losing strength and because of that I end up not making a good sound. By the end of the 1st hour I often bring down my notes a whole octave because I can’t play high anymore. Taking a shot usually helps but I don’t want to rely on alcohol.
I need advice on what I should do. I practice everyday but I’m not sure if I’m practicing correctly or enough. I know there isn’t a quick fix but I would like a good coherent and cohesive plan and approach to what I can do. I’m sick of being insulted and I want to prove him wrong since he’s so convinced I barely practice.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this and even more if you leave a comment with your own opinions and advice.