Klarinet Archive - Posting 000748.txt from 2001/10

From: "Keith Game" <kgame@-----.au>
Subj: Re: [kl] Speaking of "Returning Clarinetists"....
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 01:16:24 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mitchell Halpern"

> I hope this is just muscle fatigue
> from a weak embouchure which will disappear as the respective muscles gain
> strength.
>
> Mitch Halpern

Hi, Mitch,
I know exactly what you mean. I've started playing again (about 6 months
ago) after a 25 year hiatus, and have experienced the same problem. I have
found, however, that it _does_ subside with time. It's not nearly as bad for
me now as it was. I noticed a significant improvement when I started
practising more solidly in order to prepare a couple of pieces to play with
a chamber group. I find the problem particularly troublesome when playing
slower tempo pieces (eg. 2nd movts of the Mozart Cl 5tet and Cl/Viola/Piano
trio). But, definitely, the more conscientious I am with my daily practice,
the faster this problem subsides. I think that long-notes as part of my warm
up also help with this aspect of returning to clarinet.

My 'besetting' problem these days is articulation. I was _very_
disappointed when I discovered that the fastest I could tongue was
semiquavers/sixteenth notes at MM80 to begin with. Though lately I've found
a lot of improvement by following a set of daily exercises recommended by
Sean Osborn (a member of this list). I'm now up to MM112 after 3 weeks of
serious attention, and am looking forward to regaining the 'machine gun'
staccato that I had when I was 23!

Keith Game
Sydney, Australia

---------------------------------------------------------------------

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org