Klarinet Archive - Posting 001189.txt from 2000/02

From: Topper <leo_g@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] fear of appearing foolish
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 20:20:50 -0500

At 04:55 PM -0500 2/29/00, LeliaLoban@-----.com wrote:
>I sympathize with people who may have been intimidated by the more brash,
>forceful and rude among us, although compared to the trumpet players, let
>alone the horror movie fans, we're as soft as a pile of pillows. Sometimes I
>gulp hard before I hit "send" because I feel as though some of my own
>questions (let alone my attempts to answer questions!) must make me look like
>a chucklehead. Still, on the whole, I'd rather look foolish now (and get it
>over with) than die ignorant later.
>
>Lelia

"Remember that once you have executed a note in public that may be faulted
there is always room for adjustment. You simply move forward with the music"

"You should not leave track of the music or stop playing because you feel
people noticed a pooly executed note. In most cases most people do not
notice. And even when they do it really does not count for much except that
you are aware, and that's good. Keep reading ahead--those are the notes
that matter."

"Feel good about what you have accomplished and how well you know you can
play as you have played before and will play better still. Simply do your
best and acknowledge that is good. Then, take the next steps."

"Feel good about yourself because you are special. The air you breath is
about to be blessed not by you but by the giver of your gift. Would you be
so ungrateful, not to be thankful? Let it out and rejoice in the written
message before you with the special intent and feeling for which it was
written. It was written for you."

My teacher told me these things long ago and I never took enough honor in
those words myself, even at the young age I was. I was feeling very "funny"
and uncomfortable myself... you see I just took the risk in public to say
that I was my own teacher in these things. I must have heard them somewhere
but tried apply them to clarinet in thoughts. We all have a teacher within
our consciousness.

We can think the most beautiful thoughts and play the most gorgeous tones
and melodies in our heads, and in our rooms; unless we take the chace to
cast them into the air they are not part of this world.

The key is to connect this world... and that world.

Now. I was difficult for me to get that out because I am sure in many eyes
I will be coined a fool, or a bit dodgey. However, I took heart in my own
words.

...as did you.

Cheers, Leo
Autions' Underway: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/leo_g@-----.com/
"You Take The High Notes" http://helius.carroll.com/p/leo_g/ Our musical
instruments, parts, tools, classical LP, 1800's and 1900's piano music and
with violin editions. A family collection for sale and auction. Items for
sale date from before 1813 to 1987. Please bookmark or link page as new
items are catalogued weekly. Links will be exchanged upon request. I am
especially interested in Musical Instrument History and technical data.
Please email me with interesting links. Thank you:-) Leo

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