As someone who took a several years off for business school, I second (or third?) the advice to WAIT! It has ultimately been no detriment to me, as an amateur, to have done ZERO playing for several years. I recognize my situation is very different, since the hiatus was something I planned on and I was not injured. But I want to assure you that, assuming your lip heals normally, the time you give yourself for healing will NOT be missed or regretted a year from now. Take this year and enjoy an alternative hobby - learn to tap dance or something! You CAN get your horn chops back after a nice LONG break. -molly in MO
On Jan 26, 2011 6:52 PM, "Karen" <[email protected]> wrote: I read this site everyday and felt compelled to speak up on this one. I am a horn player who happens to be a Health Care Provider and suffered a very similar injury 6 weeks ago. I was hit in the face by falling icicles, breaking my nose but worse, my upper lip was lacerated in two spots each requiring 4 stitches. It was a very painful injury and it's been a very painful rehabilitation. I did not touch my horn or mouthpiece for 4 weeks and the last two weeks I have only been able to play long tones/scales below the staff. I can play for 5-10 minutes, rest for 15-20 minutes and so forth for about an hour or so. I still have a small hard lump on the outside of the ring on my upper lip. I then ice it down on and off for about an hour every night. It's a very slow and frustrating process. I just want to play. I know of two other brass players that this has happened too. One started playing as soon as possible and her lip is so damaged she can no longer play. The other individual waited and did not play for weeks. It was three months before he could get the mouthpiece to his lips and he plays as beautifully now as ever. The morale of the story....wait. It is very frustrating to do so but if you want to be able to continue playing it will be worth the wait. Karen Jan 26, 2011 03:30:40 PM, [email protected] wrote: A friend of mine, who I promised to keep ... https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/maggie1962% 40verizon.net _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at... _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
