Doublereed Archive - Posting 000019.txt from 2005/09

From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] "Getting it" the first time
Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 06:31:29 -0400

Hi -

Just musing. I am trying to understand why it is that it often takes several
years after being given clear, good advice to actually understand it and be
able to put it to good use.

Examples, I was given some good instruction on tonguing, to not think so much
of attack, but of releasing the air with the tongue. But it wasn't until I
started experimenting with the up-and-down tonguing that I finally "got it." I
think I have it, anyway. I'm doing a lot better with low note articulation now.
I understand better how there is a strong unconscious tendency to burst air
when tonguing due to speech habits, and that this has to be "unlearned" somehow.

Everyone is told to relax the fingers, keep them close to the keys. But it's
only in the last six months I saw the light and really worked to make a
"religion" of it. The technical improvements, as a result, have been heartening. But
couldn't this have occurred years ago?

I was told my reeds and oboe seemed to allow too much air flow. I was even
given an example of a more resistant reed to play (in terms of the quantity of
air flowing through the reed not stiffness). But it took several years before I
realized it wasn't a matter of a "blown out" oboe nor tubes that were too
wide, but simply that it was possible to make a reed with a slightly smaller
opening arc, and all of a sudden, sustaining support is so much easier and more
relaxed.

Why does it take so long to figure this stuff out even when it is explained
and pointed out clearly? Anyone know?

I see it happening with some friends, also. It seems almost useless to try
and give some advice or explain things. If they aren't "ready" for it, it's like
talking to a rock rolling down a hill. What can one do?

- Phil Freihofner

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