Hey Ron,
Yes, I remember almost quitting. Looking back, I know that would have been a huge mistake. I'm definitely happy I stuck with it. My only regret is I wish I'd showed more discipline and practiced more. I guess I didn't realize what I was getting out of lessons. But yes, I'm very happy I didn't quit (and that you didn't just let me quit). I suppose what I liked the most was (a) you kept the trumpet fun and exciting, and (b) I was learning "hard-core" trumpet playing--air, chops, etc.

All those things that helped so much in the long run with tone and styling. Not to mention the theory like major thirds, fourths, and so on that I use in my improv now. All that definitely helped. But besides all the technical stuff, I think I also gained a kind of confidence in my playing I'd lacked for a while. I think that's what really impressed people when I moved up here, because even though they hadn't heard me play a note yet, they were sure I was really good. Lessons could be tough, but I liked the challenge, and to be honest, I miss that in my current lessons. So, in a nutshell, I think what I got out of lessons was the knowledge to become a trumpet player, and the confidence to go through with it. And I had fun doing it.

I thought you might also like to know I was watching a show on Julliard School the other night with my family, and they showed Wynton Marsalis teaching one of his students. He said something about how the student should think about a lick that was giving trouble. Everyone in the room looked at each other and said, "That sounds like what Ron Taylor would say!" Cheers.

Jesse, Bridgewater, VA