The author practicing the instruments

Learning to play ten orchestral instruments, one right after the other, may come across as a marathon, but it was more like a series of dashes. There was always an impetus impelling each one forward with a certain degree of urgency. With just twelve lessons per instrument there was almost always an eye looking forward toward the impending result, even as I was necessarily immersed in the process that would ultimately lead me there.

The balance between process and results was healthy, and made the journey a fulfilling adventure.

Regular practicing was a must. What started out as a very novel, unusual, separate, purposeful, and scheduled time to set aside each day for music, soon became a rewarding part of my everyday life, which I missed when circumstances made me skip a day.

Mostly, I practiced at home, either in my office cum music studio, or in different rooms in the house, in order to break up the routine.

Occasionally, I played outside: in the yard, on a cabin porch in the mountains, in the Sonoran desert of Arizona, and along a buck fence in Utah.

James Mitchell Playing the Violin — More than the other instruments, the close connection with the violin makes it feel very much a part of your body.

James Mitchell Playing the Cello — The tape and dot on the fingerboard helped me stay in tune.

James Mitchell Playing the Clarinet — While the clarinet came back to me fairly easily, I later learned that I was making the same technical mistakes I had made decades earlier.

James Mitchell Playing the Flute — The hardest for me at the beginning, but once I had a decent embouchure and could blow the right column of air, it became a joy.

James Mitchell Playing French Horn — Serenaded a few jackrabbits with Tchaikovsky in the desert near Tucson, Arizona. Wish I could have taken the music stand home.

James Mitchell Playing Oboe — I really had fun playing the oboe. Its bright tone gave back every bit of energy I put in. Even after a so-so practice, I felt good.

James Mitchell Playing Trombone Outside in a Meadow — A good way to break up a long road trip is to pull over next to a high mountain meadow and play the trombone.

James Mitchell Playing Trumpet Inside — Practicing the trumpet indoors made the whole house resonate. It was thrilling.

James Mitchell Playing the Bassoon — I sometimes wished that I had at least five more fingers when playing the bassoon. It was the most difficult instrument for me.