Klarinet Archive - Posting 000383.txt from 1995/06

From: Phillip Harris <pharris@-----.COM>
Subj: Technique and Art
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 1995 12:45:08 -0400

As an amateur cellist who has been playing clarinet for about two years, I
find this thread of interest because I can relate to it.

I have tried the Zen "let it happen" approach to the cello, but I find that I
have to have a mental understanding of making a physical gesture in order to
correct the faults that do occur over time as body and reflexes change. When
we wake up in the morning we are not the same person that went to sleep the
night before. The forefinger on the bow has slipped back a little toward the
frog, causing articulation to be sloppy; the left forefinger has become lazy,
causing intonation problems. The posture is slumping, etc.

I found on the clarinet that the left forefinger starts to ride up on the A
key and going over the break is late and may not speak at all.

If I did not know the cause of those problems sneaking into my playing, I
could not correct them. I don't have a personal coach nor do I take lessons
any longer. But a mirror to play rote exercises in front of AND a mental
understanding of the gestures needed to accomplish a result goes a long way
to keeping on course.

Phil

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