Klarinet Archive - Posting 000423.txt from 2002/02

From: "mlmarmer" <mlmarmer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] What's a good book to practice rhythms?
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 13:12:03 -0500

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. Between your reply and Patricia's, I have picked some
great tips.

I will send you a email later.

Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: <Tom.Henson@-----.com>
Subject: RE: [kl] What's a good book to practice rhythms?

> Mike,
>
> I can relate to everything you have said.
>
> I graduated from high school in 1973, went on to play in the 7th Army Band
> in Europe for a few years.
>
> When I got out of the service I slowly drifted away from playing until
many
> years had passed.
>
> I just took up clarinet again about 7-8 months ago. It has been a slow
> process.
>
> I had to go back to basics big time and still am.
>
> Biggest piece of advice I can give is to be patient with yourself and
never
> push too hard, or you will start to get bad habits.
>
> I wanted to be able to play the same pieces that I did also, but to do so
> too early would mean you are forcing your fingers and embroucure beyond
> their limits. This can ultimately lead to bad habits.
>
> Think of it this way. You have now LOST all of the bad habits that you
ever
> had. Now is the chance to do it the right way, one step at a time.
>
> Everyone is different, you may find that after a few months of practice
that
> you are getting back to where you were when you quit. I suspect it may
take
> longer.
>
> I am just now, in the last month, working on the Mozart concerto that you
> mention and find that some things I can do well, and others not so well.
>
> I purchased Abe Galpers book Tone, Technique, and Stacatto. This is an
> execellent book for people getting back into it or for beginners as well.
> You build on all the foundational things and he has actually made the
> exercises quite musical so you will be able to get some musical
satisfaction
> from playing the simple exercises.
>
> If you are like me, your time is precious, so you must set a consistant
> schedule and try your best to stick to it. Even if you only practice 15
> minutes a day at first, make sure that you are VERY focused and you know
> what you want to accomplish in those 15 minutes. Don't let you mind
wander.
> You will be amazed at how soon you will be able to extend to 20, then 30
> minutes. Take breaks whenever you get tired for a couple of minutes and
> shake out your embrouchure so to speak.
>
> I also play long notes to warm up with slow scales, thirds, and arpeggios.
>
> The upper register came back slower in my experience than the lower
> register, this I think, is in part due to the breath support needed to
play
> well up there. As my support got better, so did the upper register. Same
for
> the embrouchure.
>
> I started out on a # 3 read and am using Gonzales, Mozart, Steurer. I am
> now up to a 3.5 and this feels comfortable at this level for now. Later, I
> may try to go up to a # 4.
>
> I know this is a long post, but it is because I know exactly where you are
> at.
>
> Be Patient!
>
> Tom Henson
>
>
> Mike wrote << Here is the problem I am having as a person who took lessons
> for 10 years in
> school, 1963 to 1973 and is now has been practicing since January of this
> year. >>
>
>
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>
>

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