Let It Go

Why is it that I cannot for the life of me remember how to use my air? Why do I feel the need to contort my face, adjust my hand position, use alternate fingerings, maneuver my slides, change my mouthpiece, on and on, before remembering to take a good breath and let the air flow through the horn, which always solves about 85% of the problems?!?

I had a glimmer of a really great sound today. In the moment it appeared I really felt myself let go. In that moment I realized I had been holding on.

Holding on is always negative. Nobody likes to be told "Hold on a sec." We're taught as toddlers that it's not healthy to "hold it." Everybody hates being put "on hold." "Holding a grudge" is one of the worst vices. And holding in air is the nemesis of all brass players.

So my mantra for awhile is Let It Go. Let the air go through the horn. As a result, I should be taking in more of it. This leads to a really nice sound that I think is quite possible now that I've gotten my lower lip out of hiding.

Fortunately, Let It Go works for life too. Latest guy didn't work out? Let it go. Spring Break Plans fell through? Let it go. Application for summer festival never arrived to destination thanks to shitty Mexican mail system? Let it go.

It's a hell of a lot better than holding on to it and making myself miserable. And it's really a lovely sound. :)