Klarinet Archive - Posting 001211.txt from 2000/05

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] NOTHING IS WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 07:04:12 -0400

Jay Webler asked,
>Do you always practice 4 hrs per day. If not, then perhaps you
>are just tired.

Laura wrote,
>>No I've just been pratcicing 4 hours just today. Finals are coming up and
the
>>one for band is HARD!!! Usually I practice on the weekends for like an hour
a
>>day!.The notes aren't coming out at school either.

Jay nailed the problem, I think. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. I'm
not a big fan of last-minute cramming for any subject, but on clarinet in
particular, trying to make up for lost time by jumping from an hour a day on
weekends plus band class to an intense four-hour session may do more harm
than good. You don't have time to consolidate (make part of your reliable,
permanent memory) things that you learn at the last minute before a test, and
you're exhausting the muscles in your embouchure. Now probably isn't the
best time to start experimenting with new reeds and new equipment. Don't
"leave it all in the practice room" and have nothing left for the final!

If you're not satisfied with your progress this year, I think it would be
more realistic and productive to try to increase your *daily* practice time
gradually over the summer, then try to maintain that schedule consistently
once school starts again. One thing I learned about my own practicing is
that I get more done in the long run if I set a series of short-term goals I
can reasonably hope to achieve, instead of making one grand, "impossible
dream" resolution. For instance, right now I'm especially not happy with my
screechy altissimo tone quality, so I've set aside 10 minutes out of every
practice hour just to work on that. I'll work on it until 4th of July and
then choose something else for special focus for a month or two. I don't try
to have perfect altissmo by then, but I can always go back and work on it
again, after my memory has had time to consolidate what I'm learning now. If
a huge ultimate goal begins to look forever out of reach, it can actually
work against me as a reverse motivator, leaving me discouraged and wanting to
quit. It's satisfying to check off the small goals one by one, and they're
an incentive to keep working. All the little goals add up to big ones
eventually, the way the tortoise beat the hare in the famous animal race.

Best of luck in your final. Give your chops plenty of rest beforehand and
just do your best.

Lelia
Off to the flea markets!

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