I played from 7th grade up through 12th (symphonic, marching, pep, and jazz) and again some as a sophomore in college (jazz and pep). Though, by the end of my high school playing career, I was mainly going through the motions and wasn't particularly interested anymore. I stuck with it because, well, it's what I knew and should at least finish, right? Even when I picked it up again in college, it quickly felt like more work than fun, so I packed the horn away more or less permanently after that. After 20-odd years of moving it around, I decided to sell it. I cleaned it up, took some pix, and posted it to Craigslist for a high, but not absurd price (after doing some research). I got one looky-loo who played the horn for a good 30min, but really wanted an original Besson Meha (not made since the 40s) and not my late 80s Kanstul Besson Meha repro (which are considered fine and sometimes more consistent instruments themselves). Since I wasn't willing to come off the price, we parted ways.
Hearing my old horn play again made me miss playing, so I've started down that journey again. I spent a couple days in the car buzzing the mouthpiece during commutes (that sounds vaguely dirty), then started working on a few scales and remembered snippets of music. I can play the middle register ok, but need work on the lower and upper parts. The fingerings (phrasing!) and general ability to read music are slowly returning as I read stuff online. I'm going to pick up a copy of
Rubank Elementary Method - Cornet or Trumpet to help relearn what I've forgotten. It may be a bit too introductory, but I think that's important to make sure I don't miss what I've forgotten. I'll work my way up through that series of guides and screw around with some contemporary tunes to keep it interesting.
My biggest issue is going to be the sound. I live in a townhouse with a home worker on one side and a late/night shift worker on the other. They're not going to enjoy full bore trumpet, especially those awkward early stages, scales, and repetitive exercises. :D I have a straight mute (no bents in my bell!), but it isn't enough. I tried a Bach practice mute, but the back pressure was too great. I'll have to use the current mute and maybe modify it a bit so it fits deeper into the horn, providing a bit more moderation.
One thing I will not be doing is getting involved in any public playing, groups, or anything else that makes this less fun. It was the schedule of practice, appearances, and playing for others that took the fun out of it. Luckily for me, at this stage, nobody would want to hear me anyway. :D
Chris