Klarinet Archive - Posting 000236.txt from 1999/12

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Eating before a performance
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 10:15:50 -0500

I'll second Ed Lacy's post on this subject - behave like you normally do
at mealtime, within reason.

I like to have pasta before a really big concert - a more long lasting
carbohydrate energy boost. Usually I'll have it with some vegetables -
broccoli is a favorite. I'll also have a piece of fruit - good sugars for
energy, and it seems to help my mental focus. I also have a glass of wine
almost every day at dinner. It's a habit, and the only vice my doctor
still allows me! I don't change this on concert days. I try to eat 2-2
1/2 hours before concert time.

No-no's for me - no salty things, crunchy things, and no refined sugar
stuff. Definitely no carbonated things! Have you ever belched CO2 into a
clarinet during a long phrase? Comical, but not musical!

Other considerations - I like to take a walk (30 minutes, about my usual)
on concert day (earlier in the day if possible, so I can rest afterward).
This mild exercise seems to improve my mental focus - maybe it's the
extra oxygen in the blood? this is especially useful after a long bus
ride to a concert. A nap in the afternoon is great if I have time.

HTH

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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