Klarinet Archive - Posting 001324.txt from 1999/05
From: "Dodgshun family" <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: [kl] broad question
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 23:35:22 -0400
>Hello all,
>I have been an avid reader of this list for the past few
>months and have been very impressed with the responses that
>I have gotten from not only my questions but replies to
>other questions as well. Therefore I have to ask an
>extreemely broad question and hope that no one will think
>me as an idiot or other things. As I have posted before I
>am a 6 year clarinet player and wish to double major in
>music education and preformance. I have a problem, my dad
>doesn't believe I have the talent or the dedication to do
>it. I need your help to become what it takes. I am not
>sure how to do it but, what I am asking for is help, how do
>I become a really good clarinet player? What can I do to
>get better. I know I need to practice (lord knows I do
>that) but what do I practice. I am really not sure what to
>ask, I hope someone out there can help me. PLEASE.
I would say that you're asking an extremely wise question! I'm not actually
majoring in performance, but I'm studying with the teacher who tutors in
performance here anyway! So, for what it's worth, here are my ideas:
- Talk to other performance majors. Get ideas from as many people as you
can.
- Make sure you're playing a clarinet/mouthpiece/ligature/reed setup that
suits you and that you like.
- I know that this is going to sound cliched, but studies, scales and
technical work are so important. I hate them, but I know they help!
- Set goals. I don't mean wild goals that will take you your whole life to
achieve (like, principal of the Berlin Philharmonic - although I know a
trombonist who's aiming at this!), but goals which you can master - say, you
want to have a certain piece to performance standard by memory by whenever.
I always find that if I've got something to work towards, I'll work much
better.
- Join a good orchestra (or concert band), if you can find one. My
orchestral playing has improved my sightreading, listening skills and
ability to alter my sound dramatically. Also, you meet a lot of cool
people!
- Tape recording yourself playing really helps. You can hear it from an
outsider's point of view, and it helps to to hear things you may not hear as
you play.
- Diversify. Play bass and E-flat. Picking the bass up was one of the best
things I ever did. The better support needed has transferred itself to my
Bb playing, improving things heaps! The bari sax also seemed to do a lot
for me sound-wise (although I'd be the first to admit sax doesn't always
help clarinettists!), and being able to play jazz is always a useful thing
to be able to do, as well as being a lot of fun.
- Listen to lots of good recordings and players. This may help to give you
an idea of what you want to sound like.
- Don't give up!
Compared to some of the people on this list, I have extremely limited
experience. But this is what works for me, so I thought I may as well share
it. Hope it helps.
Anna
http://www.geocities.com/vienna/studio/5467
"There is music in the air, music all round us: the world is full of it, and
you simply take as much as you require."
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
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