Klarinet Archive - Posting 000420.txt from 1996/08

From: Jennifer Hefferlin <jhefferl@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Practice Habits
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 22:43:27 -0400

It seems to me that "practice" consists of a warm-up period, which mostly
equals long tones; then technique is developed in various ways. Learning
consists of conquering what we are not presently able to do easily, for
instance-the scale studies in the key of F#/G flat. Start slow and
gradually work up speed. Be thorough and clean. What helped me was to
learn it all by memory because then I was able to use the scale excercises
as a time to really focus on embochure and breath control and tone. I try
to use diverse excercises so I don't get bored; arpeggios one day, flat
keys for a couple of days, minor scales another, Boredom is death! Good
Luck!!

On Tue, 13 Aug 1996, Dick Walters wrote:

> Now that I'm doing the scale and etude studies in earnest, I'd
> appreciate suggestions about a good practice routine.
>
> As a fairly consistant player of rather simple church and community band
> music for a long time, I really need to develop my technique, which is
> sadly lacking. Is it better to stick to one scale and its various forms
> in one setting, or practice the whole regimin nightly, or what? Surely
> some of you guys have ideas on how to optimize this improvement process
> (short of a brain transplant from some good player) without boring one
> to death or wasting time.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> ps: I have a short midi of at least one version of the Clarinet Polka if
> any of the non-Germans' curiosity is killing them.
>