Klarinet Archive - Posting 001002.txt from 1998/08

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re: Dr Wilsons book
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 23:16:32 -0400

Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 16:11:00 -0600 (MDT)
From: "L. BORCHERT" <lborcher@-----.Edu>
cc: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Woodshedding, was Memorization
Your advice on memorization could also be good advice for how to
practice, but I would make one rather large change. Instead of starting
at the beginning, start at the end and add one measure at a time. Instead
of reinforcing mistakes by playing until you make a mistake, you are
positively reinforcing the correct patterns and playing toward a musical
conclusion. Psychologically, this is a more effective way to both
practice and memorize.
See Frank R. Wilson's book _Tone Deaf And All Thumbs_, published
by Vintage Books. Dr. Wilson is an M.D. specializing in music neurology.
This should be a required text in education classes in general and music
education classes in particular. Does anybody else remember his lecture
presentation at the clarinet convention in Richmond, VA at Virginia
Commonwealth a few years ago?
Laroy
Dr. Laroy Borchert
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003

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Of course I remember it! I got his book, really good.

Here's my take on Memorizing. It works tremendously well. If possible, get
a tape of the piece. Stand regular distance form the stand and play through
it. Then step back a few feet - play again. Continue stepping back little
by little, and you eventually will be so far away that you will only see an
outline of the piece. The brain makes up for the distance by memorizing the
piece.

David Blumberg
reedman@-----.com
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Music/Blumberg.html

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