Klarinet Archive - Posting 000330.txt from 2001/11

From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: clarinetist's block
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 11:00:37 -0500

David Hattner wrote:

Ironically, now that I understand orchestral playing better than ever, I
don't really want to do it 52 weeks a year anymore. It's TOO HARD. That's
why I respect those folks who do it so much. I know exactly how hard it is.

Patricia:

This is something akin to the phenomenon I encountered personally in
graduate school. I realized that, as much as I enjoyed playing, I did not
possess the sort of concentration abilities it takes to be able to perform
in an orchestra, and the sort of stress I would undergo to even approach
trying to develop them would, in the long run, probably drive me insane.

Looking back, I am glad I chose to do other things with my life, and at the
same time, I have a lot of respect for those who do choose to continue on to
pursue that line of work. It IS most definitely WORK, IMHO.
OTOH, I feel my talents also lie in other areas of music, and that I still
can perform in other areas. I appreciate the serious answers I have
received so far about programs in Music Therapy.

Thanks,
Patricia A. Smith
pattiesmith@-----.net

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