Klarinet Archive - Posting 000666.txt from 2001/03

From: stewart kiritz <kiritz@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] The spirit is willing but the lip is weak!
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 17:01:09 -0500

Rhea,

I also returned to the clarinet recently and have this to say after talking
with several master teachers:

45 minutes to an hour is a lot of time if you haven't played in 37 years!
It is going to take you a number of months to build up your chops. Go easy.
I overdid it a few weeks ago and am still recovering. Use a softer reed
until you get your strength back. I think you are expecting too much of
yourself. As one ages, the muscles build more slowly. You, as I did,
probably still have in your mind what it was like when you were 20, but
kiddo, you aren't 20 any more! Just play until you are fatigued a bit (not
completely) and then stop for a few hours or until the next day -- even if
you have only played for 20 minutes. After several weeks you will be a
little stronger, and then stronger still after a few months.

Best,

Stewart Kiritz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rhea Jacobs" <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
>
>
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