No need to apologize, taraholder. You don`t come off as cocky because you`re still a rookie trumpet player... I actually get amused when rookie players get cocky because they still have many many things to learn (attitude, for example). To be honest, I still have a lot to learn. Even when we become professionals someday we will still be learning (hopefully). Anyway, it`s the cockyness of more experienced players that really annoys me.

Hey, do you know what keeps me grounded? Well, it`s the fact that I know more than a few incredible and experienced trumpet players. Hearing them play and act in a humble manner reminds me that I still have a long way to go. They can play circles around me, but they don`t shove it in my face. So it makes it easier to learn from them.

Find one of these players in your town and hang on to them, keep in close contact with them, talk to them, and listen to them as much as you can. Heck, just stalk them... hehehe. You might pick things up in their playing that you might not pick up with a teacher.

- ttyl