Take a break from practice while on vacation?

[Jon B. Bop]

Im heading to Hawaii next week :D I'll be away 12 days with the travel days, and I'm considering leaving my horn at home. I've found it difficult to practice on previous trips with my family, but I hate the idea of laying off the practicing for so long.

Any suggestions?

[Eulipion2]

Well, leaving the horn behind could allow you to relax and spend time with your family. If you find relaxation in practicing, and can't live without your horn, take your smallest horn, with the easiest to prepare setup. Basically, I'm saying you need a one-piece soprano, Rovner ligature, and synthetic reed: piece of cake! That way you can have a horn at the ready for those few-and-far-between breaks...For God's sake, man, you're going to Hawaii! Have some fun! Of course, if you're so inclined, take your horn and sit in on some of those Hawaiian jam sessions...
Aloha! 8)

[Mike Cesati]

I go to the ocean in the summer for vacation. I practice on a jetty and blow over the ocean. Builds up the tone .The air is so fresh by the ocean. I love practicing outdoors.I NEVER go on vacation without my horn and I do go to jam sessions and meet players.It depends on how understanding your family is. I can't help you with that one.Good luck ,enjoy your trip.

[Vortex]

Dude, 12 days where you can jam on the beach if you want? How much better can it get? Definately take your horn along, don't worry: you're sure to have plenty of time with your family, and imagine how much fun it'll be to play in such a cool place.

You don't want to lose your chops either. I recently got hit with the flu and had to go (gasp!) a week and a half without playing. That was just torturous: I wanted to play so badly, but just couldn't manage it. When I returned to playing it took me several days to get back to normal. You definately want to have the option to play if you wish.

[dingfelder]

dont get sand in your horn :P

[Nefertiti]

Man,
If I was going to Hawaii the last thing I would be thinking about is my horn. I'm either playing or teaching or talking about music stuff everyday of my life. To me a vacation is to get away!! Your going to HAWAII!! Enjoy the time awauy. Come back renewed, refreshed and ready to go.

[Razzy]

But, 12 days is a long time to go without playing. I'm so hooked that if I go a day without practicing I get very depressed and feel guilty... so if you're in that boat, bring it along and use the opportunity to play on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii! The fresh air and the outdoors are the perfect opportunity to work on your sound. But if you're like some of the others who see a vacation from life as a vacation from music, or if you see music as simply a chore/job rather than a life goal, then I guess leave it at home. I do music for a LOT of my day and most of my goals involve it... and personally I would want to go jump off a cliff every day I was on vacation "enjoying" my time away from the horns! :?

[Jon B. Bop]

Thanks all for your input,

I've decided to leave the horn at home.

Although I know I'll need to do a lot of catch up work when I get back, I think the break will do me good. Besides, I think the actual amount of practice I'd do would be minimal, so it doesn't justify dragging my beautiful Markl VI half way around the world. I'll bring my mouth piece, and do some Emb. exercises any way.

Happy holidays to you all.

Peace

[Subtone Sam]

Good decision,John B.Bop.Theres so much more to life than playing sax.I would leave the mpc home too and try not to even THINK about sax.

[Razzy]

Hah, wow. This is really bothering me, I Can't explain it. I would literally go insane without my horn, for even three days. I would be bugging out. I would probably find a local music store and ask to use their stock crappy mouthpiece and reeds and "test out" a sax... for a few hours each day 8)

[pepper]

I would leave the mpc home too and try not to even THINK about sax.

someone once told me that the average male thinks about sax twice a minute. at least thats what i think they said.