Klarinet Archive - Posting 000162.txt from 2002/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] memorization
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 19:03:54 -0500

At 02:49 PM 4/3/2002 -0500, Fred Sheim wrote:
>Perhaps not appropriate for this group, but here's a question-- I have
>played (serious classical) clarinet as a hobby for 41 years (with NO down
>time!) and can play it now as easily as I can speak. Three months ago I
>took up the piano, something I always wanted to do. I find that I MUST
>memorize the little piano pieces I am asked to play, because I CAN'T
>properly read the piano music and play at the same time! I believe it has
>something to do with the two lines of music at the same time or my
>eye-PIANO coordination. Is it normal for piano players to memorize their
>music? Or is it because I am such a rank beginner at the piano?

I took piano FIRST, and tended to memorize all my pieces. However, I also
always looked at my fingers while I played (I type that way, too, in spite
of touch-typing training in high school). When I started playing clarinet,
I noticed that, with the freedom of actually not being ABLE TO look at my
fingers, I could concentrate on the music on the page. Now I find that I
NEVER memorize any more (although I can get through the first page or so of
the Mozart and Weber 2nd concertos without printed assistance). In some
ways I might have been better off before. I also definitely prefer reading
only ONE line of music at a time. How do organists DO it?

Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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