Klarinet Archive - Posting 000138.txt from 1995/12

From: Bob Yoon <st942100@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Tension
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 17:23:41 -0500

>I have always been a tense player and am trying to control this. My teacher
>tells me just to relax, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Are there any hints
>out there on this subject? I would appreciate any advice that could be given.
>
>Eric Diamond
>ediamond@-----.edu
>
Usually, people who play tense are generally tense people. Learn to
relax in general. Try daily regular meditation. You can find many books on
them in the self-help or religious sections(Zen Buddhism) of a library or
book store. Also try yoga breathing. it not only relaxes you, it also
improves your breathing tremendously. Trumpet player Maynard Ferguson
relies on this technique for his phenomenal range.
If it's just a case of playing, take a different approach to
clarinet playing. If this is the problem, you're probably one of those
players who are tense from overconcerning themselves with the technical side
of clarinet playing. Do not, momentarily, concern yourself with embouchure,
finger positions, etc. Only relie on your ears. Try to strive for a
certain sound. Visualize it first or even better, listen to a recording and
try to assimilate it(recording or visualization). Do not think about how
you get a good sound, for example, just get a good sound and repeat this
procedure until it becomes habit.
Try either of these techiques and good luck.

Bob Yoon