Klarinet Archive - Posting 000979.txt from 1997/02

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: flexibility exercises
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:10:16 -0500

>do any of you practice breathing all by itself? do any of you do
>exercises (without the clarinet) to work on the flexibility and
>independence of the fingers? i'm really curious about this. if i spend
>some time away from the clarinet working on breathing and finger
>independence, will not my technique and breathing improve On the clarinet?
>i'm not saying abandon the clarinet while in this process, but do these
>exercises while say...watching TV or whatever. do any of you know any
>finger exercises that would be beneficial? well, i do appreciate any
>words of opinion or wisdom. :-)
>thanks again,
>kim

Certainly there are all kinds of excercises to do away from the clarinet
that are very beneficial.

For flexibility and speed in the fingers, I believe that moving your
fingers in a rapid random and patterned motions as if you were playing the
piano is very helpful. You can do this on your legs or a desk or anywhere
for that matter.

For tongueing speed, I find that positioning your tongue with the tip just
protruding from between your teeth and the back of it arched up, and then
saying "la, la, la" or "ta, ta, ta" very rapidly and repeatedly builds up
the tongue.

Circular breathing also can be practiced with water or air. You can use a
straw in a glass of water to get started.

I'm sure there are many other examples of excercises one can do while away
from the instrument. Mental excercises about notes are also very helpful.

-------------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net