After playing professionally for about 10 years when I was young, I
essentially laid off for 20 years before trying to get back into shape again
(at 50). I laid off again for about 12 years between ages 58 and 70. (I'm
now 75).
For me, it's essential to try to get rid of bad habits when trying to come
back after a long layoff -- that is, to try to play with better mechanics
than you did in the past, rather than just trying to reproduce what you did
earlier. When one is young with a lot of stamina, it's possible to get away
with mechanics that are less than optimal, but when one is older the body --
especially the chops -- aren't able to take as much punishment, or to
recover as quickly. This is why a good teacher is such a big help -- to
watch and listen and point out bad habits -- musical as well as physical.
I also think correct use of the wind becomes more and more important as one
ages -- even if one is playing regularly. IMO, the chops get older faster
than the lungs -- in other words, it's important to use the wind to take
more and more of the load off the chops.
Chris Earnest
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