Klarinet Archive - Posting 000121.txt from 1995/12

From: "Janis A. Brown" <jbrown@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Tension
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 12:35:30 -0500

Have you tried playing i/2 steps, whole steps, m3rds, M3rds, 4ths, 5ths,
etc., starting in low E and working your way up the clarinet? Play these
exercises in a mirror and only use the weight of the finger to cover holes,
and open and close keys. Any other tension and squeezing of the clarinet
is too much tension. Do these exercises everyday before you do anytning
else except for long tones or tone studies. The weight of the finger is
the key technique here. You will be surprised how fast your finger become
relaxed. As for written hand studies I play the Vade-mecum by Paul
Jean-Jean or any of the Opperman books known as Daily Exercises for the
clarinet. All of these I play at a quarter note=60 and the sixteenth notes
are quarter notes in my practice. This relly helps to alleviate tension
and wasted hand motion. Of course you might want to discuss good hand
position with your teacher. If your wrists are turned way up or turned out
just your basic playing position will force tense playing. Try to be
patient with yourself, this is going to take some time to relax.
Of you want or need more specific information contact me at the address
listed below and I will be happy to help you. Mr. Opperman was my teacher
for awhile and I learned tons from him about techique. Then I studied with
Dr. Mead at the Univ. of Iowa and learned tons about relaxed technique.
Believe me you can not have fast smooth technique without relaxing. Also,
you can't stay in playing for a long period of time i.e. years, or a
lifetime, if you are playing tense, someting has to give.

:-------------------------------------------------------------------------:
| Janis A. Brown | Voice: (409) 468-1360 |
| Clarinet Instructor | Music Office: (409) 468-4602 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | Fax: (409) 468-5810 |
| Nacogdoches, Texas | E-mail: jbrown@-----.edu |
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------<
| Web Page: http://www.finearts.sfasu.edu/music/faculty/JBrown.html |
`-------------------------------------------------------------------------'