Klarinet Archive - Posting 000363.txt from 2010/11

From: Jennifer Jones <helen.jennifer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Improvisation and the art of argument
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:16:21 -0500

So, dad asks me if I want some oatmeal and pepitas this morning in an
accusatory tone, which makes me feel angry. So, I go for the clarinet
and go through four pages of Kroepsch.

It starting out with quite neat technique and no wrong notes.
Technique deteriorated a couple pages in.

I start feeling like I've been looking at close things too long (e.g.,
reading etc.). So I shift to practicing whatever I can think of in d
major (mostly scales and variations on those).

I get into the altissimo and dad says yipes. I work on playing
pianissimo altissimo. A bit later dad brings earplugs. I try them.
I sound flat to myself when I'm playing with earplugs. Has anyone
else had this sort of experience?

Not sure going for the clarinet is necessary to dissipate anger. I
think I might be able to say "no thank you" in an angry tone. I did
something sort of like that, though I ignored what dad said and
rattled things forcefully on my way to the clarinet. Then started
playing. I think in the future, I will tend to what dad said in
addition to tending to the effect the tone of voice had on me.

-Jennifer

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 11:51 AM, Jennifer Jones
<helen.jennifer@-----.com> wrote:
> I think I did some improvising yesterday.
>
> I have been getting into rather painful arguments with dad lately.
> They would leave dreadful pains in my stomach, but if I nip the
> argument at just the right point, I may still be irritated and want to
> yell at him, but if I get the clarinet, I can channel that kinetic
> energy into the instrument instead of at dad. =A0The most efficient
> method for working up clarinetting energy is actually to start the
> argument with a vitriolic grumble. =A0Dad will say Excuse me (in a
> escalating fashion)? =A0And I'll grumble forcefully something like
> "nothing" or "it doesn't matter" or "it's irrelevant" (making
> something a bit faster and straighter than a beeline for the
> clarinet).
>
> So, it was under these circumstances that I did some fearsome scales
> in various groups of three and four. =A0I enjoyed them and mom said she
> liked them too, but I don't think I'm up to par such that I could
> improvise as part of a group.
>
> Dad gave me a hard time about playing without using earplugs... =A0 When
> I complained nobody else I knew uses them, he retorted that no one
> else cares...
>
> I don't know how it feels to be on the other end of my "method" yet.
> Will have to get the tables turned.
>
> -Jennifer
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