 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: annev
Date: 2012-11-23 14:34
Hello,
I'm new to this board and have been enjoying reading the posts and finding information through the search function. This questions has been asked before, but not for several years, so I thought it might be worth re-visiting. I'm struggling with learning/keeping up several instruments with limited practice time available and am wondering what others have found helpful. The instruments I play, from oldest (most proficient) to newest, are piano, voice, clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax and trombone. The piano is already "coasting" but since I use it mostly for just accompaning family members, I'm okay with that. I take regular lessons for the others (most are either every other week or monthly) and use them for choir, band, and church (and occasional small ensembles). Music is a joy, but I have, if I'm organized, only about an hour a day to practice. Any suggestions would be very welcome!
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-11-23 15:46
I do believe you have yourself a bit of a problem. Music is a wonderful gift to have, but it does take time to develop. I'm going to assume you're in high school now (do they call that college like in the UK?). Either way, on a very positive note, you have quite a lot of talent, and a lot of directions to choose from. I'm not sure I could tell you what to do without knowing what you want out of music. Do you wish to do it just for yourself? Do you wish to teach in the future? Do you wish to perform for an audience? What type or types of music and/or musical groups do aspire to play? Is there a certain unnamed goal you are trying to achieve in music?
Drew S.
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Author: annev
Date: 2012-11-24 02:38
Thank you for your reply and thoughtful questions, Drew. I think they are relevant, although my situation is probably a bit different from what you imagine. I'm actually 48. I was 5 when I started playing the piano, and in my teens achieved quite a high level - for years it was my only musical outlet. In my 30s I discovered church and community choirs, and eventually took voice lessons. In my 40s I discovered the clarinet, and the joys of instrumental music (I've always wanted to play in a concert band). The saxophone evolved because, having played classical music most of my life, I really wanted to explore (and still am exploring) jazz. The trombone was the most serendipitous (a friend had a trombone that was gathering dust in his basement) but has just been such fun to play. Each of the instruments has opened new doors for me, and I've been fortunate to find opportunities where I can use them all. But, as an adult and an amateur, time for practice is limited. Perhaps I need to consider which types of music and amateur venues draw me the most, although it seems sad to let go any one of them since they each bring me different joys and experiences.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-11-24 18:55
I guess that teaches me I should never assume. I am happy that you have found so much joy in your music. As for the time issue, you really have quite a choice on your hands. There's no real cheat for investing hours on an instrument to learn how it should feel. I can only think to recommend an unbalanced practice session. For instance, if you have a piece of music you are working on (maybe for church or another group you are in), you devote most of your practice time to that instrument. So if you have a piece to play on clarinet, do a 40 minute routine on clarinet, and then for the last 20 minutes you can quickly play some long tones or other easy exercise on the other instruments so they don't completely go. You may even do half of the instruments one day, and half the other. Yes, the instruments will probably suffer, but it's the only thing I can think of to help you progress on a single instrument. Good thing is you can devote more time to a particular instrument that needs your attention at any time and get it back up to speed.
Of all the instruments you play, I think trombone is least compatible with the others. (I say this as a woodwind player, seeing you have 3 woodwinds and 1 brass). Still, you seem to enjoy playing it, and I'm not trying to convince you to quit it. I'm just saying if you find you have too much on your plate, the trombone might be the most appropriate drop.
Everyone learns and retains information differently, so I understand the above might not work for everyone. I hope you find the way that suits you best.
Drew S.
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2012-11-26 01:27
I have to second much of what Drew has said. I am a semi-pro multi-woodwind player (I like that better than doubler) who spends his days working a IT database analyst. What I do is focus on the instrument or instruments that I need for the next rehearsal and/or performance. For example I just finished a show where I played soprano sax, flute and clarinet. The flute got the most attention pre-show as the clarinet and soprano parts were fairly easy. However, I still spent time with tone, tuner and scale work on the clarinet and soprano to make sure my embouchure and technique was ready. The alto, tenor and piccolo got ignored for at about 3 weeks.
When you get in between engagements, take a week or 2 to focus on just one. I did that with flute recently and what a difference it made.
Again, I use the "tyranny of the urgent" methodology to determine what I practice. For you, it might have to be a "trial and error" thing until you find a routine that works for you. But be sure to spend time on some kind of rotating basis on each. And like Drew said, the trombone might be the expendable one.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: annev
Date: 2012-11-29 20:48
Thank you both for your suggestions. I really like the idea of spending the majority of my practice time on a given instrument for the day, and then spending a shorter time with long tones, arpeggios, etc. on an alternate instrument. I've been trying that out these past few days and it's very helpful, particularly since the long tones/technical session is something I can do by just picking up an instrument and playing anywhere in the house by ear (no need for a long stretch of time or for the music room - air time is sometimes an issue in our house where several of us play musical instruments). The longer part of the practice session is being decided by the "tyranny of the urgent" - a great way to describe things. I'm very aware that learning a musical instrument takes many many hours of practice and that there aren't any short cuts.
I've also been reflecting a bit on my musical goals. The activity I enjoy the most, at the moment, is being in the pit - I've been able to play in two shows and really really enjoyed that. I'd love to do more. Second is probably small ensembles (duets and trios). Third is concert band/jazz band/choir, and fourth is accompanying. I tend to take opportunities as they come up, and when I can fit them around the needs of the rest of the family, but it's good to reflect on them and maybe be a bit more intentional in what I do. It does seem to validate for me that learning/keeping up several different instruments is a useful thing. Thank you again.
(edited for typos)
Post Edited (2012-12-01 02:33)
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