Klarinet Archive - Posting 000079.txt from 2002/12

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Benefit of taking time off
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 22:05:03 -0500

--- William Semple <wsemple@-----.com> wrote:
> I wonder whether those on the list ever take time off from their playing or
> practicing, and if so, how frequently and for how long?
>
> The reason I ask is that I recently moved, costing me a week, and when I
> return to my horn, I was pleasantly surprised at my refreshed sound.

As an undergrad music major, I practiced between 6-8 hours per day, doing my level best to sustain
the regimen 7 days a week. Try as I might, there always occurred one random obligation or
another, once every week, that prevented me from touching my instruments for 24 hours.

Initially, it drove me to distraction that I wasn't able to play, thinking I was losing a day of
productivity and advancement. Eventually, I recognized that each time I resumed the regimen, the
first day of resumed practice was marked by a solidification and integration of the skills on
which I'd been working for the entire week prior. I didn't henceforth make it a point to take a
day off each week, because the random one-day obligations/distractions seemed to occur
consistently. I did, however, change my attitude about it, recognizing that a consistent day off
each week was actually very important to my development, not only in terms of technique, but in
terms of mental clarity and focus.

I noticed an enhancement of skills integration and technical ease, as well as a renewal of the
power to concentrate and relax, to draw upon the education I was receiving in the classroom
(theory, history, aural skills, etc.) as food for my growth as a musician. A day away from the
instrument every week became critical in achieving the level of technique and musicianship that
characterized my best playing just before I had to stop playing altogether. For a serious
musician putting in four or more hours of practice a day, one day away from the instrument every
week is probably a valuable prescription toward *increasing* the rate of growth and productivity
of one's technique and musicianship toward the best of which they are ultimately capable.

Neil

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