Klarinet Archive - Posting 000665.txt from 2001/03
From: "David C. Kumpf" <dkumpf@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] The spirit is willing but the lip is weak!
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:01:08 -0500
Facing a bit of the same battle here, as I didn't play for 23 years.
I started with Rico 2's since I figured my lip wouldn't take much more. I
have only been playing about 10 days and they are starting to become too
soft. Bought a box of Vandoren 3.5, way too hard, even with sanding the
backs. I will probably try both Vandoren 2.5 and 3 next and try to find a
happy medium.
Most of my suggestions are just based on what little (very little!) I know
about exercise physiology. I would consider some of the following. I'd love
to hear what anyone else on the list says as it would help me too.
- consider sanding the backs of the 3.5's with very fine sandpaper (1000
grit).
- consider two sessions of 20 - 30 minutes a day. (Studies of racing
cyclists have indicated that two training sessions of 1 hour per day are
just as effective as one session of 2 hours per day)
- consider switching brands of reeds
There was another similar discussion (about embouchre fatigue) recently on
the list, and I frankly don't remember who started it. So, there might be
some useful things in the klarinet archives.
One thing I would be curious about, particularly if there are some exercise
physiologists who read the list, is the relationship between general
physical conditioning and ability to play for longer periods of time. I
suspect the connection is strong but it would be nice to have some more
informed opinion. If the connection is strong, then it might be reasonable
to conclude that activities such as running, walking, cycling, swimming,
etc. will help build endurance for playing (even in the lip, since all
muscles will be able to process fuel more efficiently, remove wastes more
effectively, etc). And that all of the normal things associated with
maintaining athletic performance (such as being well hydrated) would apply
as well.
Or not...again, it would be nice to hear from someone on the list who has
some expertise in this topic.
David C. Kumpf
President
Optimetra, Inc.
4420 Red Rock Ranch Road
Monument, CO 80132
mailto:dkumpf@-----.com
http://www.optimetra.com
(719) 481-2956 (voice)
(719) 487-0920 (fax)
(719) 964-8105 (mobile)
-----Original Message-----
From: Rhea Jacobs [mailto:rhea-j@-----.net]
Subject: [kl] The spirit is willing but the lip is weak!
A re-beginner is seeking advice from all you experienced teachers!
I've recently begun playing the clarinet again after a long (37 year)
hiatus, and have been in a position to practice regularly since the
first of the year. (Let's just say that our local instrument repair
technician has a LONG backlog!)
I definitely expected things to go slowly as far as getting my chops
back, but I'm finding, to my great frustration, that my lip tires after
45 minutes (or an hour at most), and that I have to quit and rest for a
day. I tried double sessions with half-day rests, but I blew the lip out
to the point where my teacher sent me home and said to rest it for a few
days and not to try to rush it.
This is frustrating to me, not because I'm trying to get back several
years of serious study in a few months, but because I feel like I'm worn
out as soon as I'm warmed up. I'd really like to find some way to
strengthen the lip so that I can practice for a couple hours at a time.
What I think is contributing to the problem is reeds. I'm stuck between
3's, which are a bit too soft, and 3 1/2's, which are still a bit stiff.
I have been starting off with the 3 1/2's and then moving down after
I've been through my scale warmup or when I feel fatigue, whichever
comes first.
Any suggestions from those of you who are experienced players and
teachers would be greatly welcome. My teacher is fine, but she has very
few adult students, and I doubt she's had to deal with this before.
Thanks so much,
Rhea Jacobs
rhea-j@-----.net
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
