I didn't schedule many summer gigs this year, so I have a full six weeks with NO performances From Aug 7 to Sept 23). I let two weeks slide by hardly touching my horn, but when I tried to get back to it, I was out of shape, I had a hard time getting the ball rolling again. I couldn't even FORCE myself to do scales, arpeggios & lip slurs which I usually enjoy doing as part of my daily routine. Basics like that just aren't pleasant when I'm out of shape, so I needed something fun & enticing to draw me in. I pulled out some really simple play along CDs that I haven't diddled with for a couple years. And found it fun to see how many I could play in a row before my lips fell off! I'm finally getting back in shape now.