Klarinet Archive - Posting 000083.txt from 2010/09

From: Jennifer Jones <helen.jennifer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] breathing problems
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:00:21 -0400

Another thought I had regarding breathing: If the problem is "topping
off", I sometimes play really short one or two bar passages without
much of a breath; e.g. taking in only as much air as I will need for
that passage (esp. if there is a decent rest afterward that two bar
passage). I haven't thought about this much, and only noticed it
today playing Brahms. Do any of the people who play regularly, record
etc. have thoughts on this?

-Jennifer

On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 1:50 AM, Jennifer Jones <helen.jennifer@-----.com> w=
rote:
> Dear Janice,

[snip]

> Here are my thoughts on your situation based upon the information you
> gave. =A0In short, pressure may make it difficult for you to play long
> passages. =A0Possible solutions include breathing at regular intervals.
> Don't skip breath marks and mind the rests. =A0Let your lungs empty
> periodically. =A0Trying a softer reed can't hurt (they are cheap) and
> checking your clarinet for air leaks and other causes of stuffiness is
> another important thing that you can do.
>
> You may have worked on these things with your teacher. =A0Other thoughts
> would be to get additional opinions, perhaps from a repair tech and
> another instructor.
>
> Aside from all the above, does it bother *you* that you only play in
> 15 minute stints? =A0I see that you asked about it so we might assume
> so, but you did not explicitly state that. =A0It might be worth
> considering whether it is important that you play more than 15 minutes
> at a time. =A0Who cares whether it is normal? =A0More important is the
> logistics. =A0Does it fit into your schedule? =A0I assume this is a hobby
> for you. =A0Don't work on it if it doesn't bother you. =A0I remember when
> I was a kid 20 minute practice sessions were encouraged. =A0I didn't
> follow that. =A0My family encouraged doing things to the best of my
> ability. =A0My understanding of that was to practice as long as
> possible. =A0This was not structured practice where I would think of a
> specific skill that had been shown me. =A0It was me fooling around on
> the clarinet. =A0The skill would come up, but rather randomly. =A0I have
> no idea how others do this, but I imagine mentally focused, goal
> oriented practicing can be much more efficient than my plow through it
> approach.
>
>
>
> Everything below is thoughts and reasoning behind these suggestions:

[snip]
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