Klarinet Archive - Posting 000150.txt from 2001/11

From: "Lacy Schroeder" <LacyS@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] clarinetist's block
Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 17:54:30 -0500

The same thing also happened to me when I was at that point. My
sophomore year was a major growing year for me; I got principal in my
univesity's top wind ensemble, I got principal in a major youth
orchestra, we did a big cd recording project at school, and lots of
chamber music. My junoir year, I kept the principal spots, but I seemed
to stand still in the first semester. I decided that I was going to
challenge myself at least twice a week in my practice sessions by
sight-reading something off the wall, and every day by making myself
notice the things that are unstable in my playing. I would focus on
things like that that have always been a bete noir to me, and now they
aren't a problem. The second semester, I felt another significant
growth, when I realized that I didn't stink as a player! I've always
been very self-critical of my playing, and it was then that I realized
that yes, I can do it, and if I make a mistake I'll try not to make the
same one twice.=20

I don't know if I helped, but it does make a difference to know that
you're not alone!

Lacy

> From: jess crawford [mailto:akane12@-----.net]
> Hi all--
> I'm experiencing an interesting phenomenon that I know is=20
> altogether normal
> but still frustrating: I have hit a plateau and I appear to=20
> be stuck.>=20

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