 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-12-10 04:11
I played a chamber ensemble concert tonight with others from my college chamber group. I did ok. Also, I got a new mouthpiece which seems to be better than my old one! I got a selmer crystal facing #1. Very nice. The mouthpiece itself seems to be thicker glass on the right than on the left, but it plays like a dream so that's ok.
I also found out how important reed choice is. I had a reed that was GREAT for me yesterday, I saved that one for the concert tonight, and it was horrible. I shoulda stuck the reed that I practiced in today rather than my "performance" reed. Well, you win some, you lose some. I still played, it was just a little more dificult. Love that mouthpiece though!
Here's a problem I had during the concert and practicing today. Today for no reason, my mouth became drier than the sahara when playing. After about 30 seconds into a piece, my mouth would dry up completely and my toungue would start to stick to my lip when trying to tongue and it just overall wasn't good. I just barrelled on through but definitely woulda felt more comfortable if I didn't have to deal with this. Any ideas on how to prevent/fix this?
The pieces we played, since they were chamber ensemble, have little to no rests to do something in between so prevention would be more helpful for this situation. Thanks.
Alexi
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Author: William
Date: 2002-12-10 14:41
The answer may be as simple as a glass or bottle of water nearby that you can take an occassional swig from as needed. It is becoming a common practice for performing musicians to have some form of water supply nearby and audiences do not seem to mind. However, if an occassional sip does not remedy the problem, then perhaps medical advise might be appropriate. A prescription medication or underlying physical problem could be the cause. In my own situation, when I was experiancing almost constant dry mouth (that water did not cure), the diagnosis was type two diabetis. Since gaining glucose control with oral medication, diet and excercise, "cotton mouth" is no longer a problem during performance or teaching. Hopefully, if you drink enough daily water to avoid dehydration and keep a small supply near your music stand for quick sips, your dry mouth will disappear.
Reeds--???? Yikes!!! I too have saved that "special" reed for the "big" performance, only to find that it somehow morphed overnight into the "Reed from Hell" that bore no performance resemblance to its "former self" the day before. That is why I now practice a reed rotation system of twelve keeping at least eight in somewaht performance condition with the other four being new additions in a state of developement. As a result, when concert-time arrives, I no longer have to rely on one or two reeds that played well yesterday, but now have six to eight in a constant state of developement, knowing that two or three will always be near "peak performance" state. It is then just a matter of selecting the "reed that works" on the day of performance. In the fianal analysis, however, knowing that the "perfect reed" is a myth, we must all learn to "play the reed" and not let the reed "play us." Having a lot of reeds to choose from will better ensure that you find the most player-friendly one when you need to play your best. Hope this helps a bit.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-12-10 16:25
Thanks William. I wanted to have something nearby, and I did have a gatorade next to me, but I guess it didn't work too well. THe thermostat in the room that we played in was messed up and the temperature could only be "really hot" or "really cold" so our instructor kept flipping it trying to keep it somewhat moderate. And it'd work, however some of the pieces were long and halfway through my mouth would get VERY dry. I'll keep an eye on things and see if this problem is recurring or if it may have just been a bad time/place to perform.
As for the reed situation, I had this question before and Morrigan pretty much said the same thing you did. Have a good selection and choose it THAT day. What I messed up on was I had four reeds, and chose one to practice on. The one that I thought was the worst. I practiced for about two hours before the concert, then took an hour and a half off, and then went back and switched the reed before trying the new one. I figured a reed that was just played on for two hours wouldn't be a good choice. And when I had a chance to switch my reed again during my break in the concert, I found my case and everything to be locked up for the duration of the concert. So I was stuck. Unfortunately I learned the hard way. But it's a mistake I definitely WON'T repeat.
Alexi
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Author: Joe Garza
Date: 2002-12-10 16:26
I agree on staying hydrated as a good way to always have those "creative juices" flowing. I occasionally experience "cotton mouth" after playing for lengths at a time. Other that some water, something I keep around are mints. I prefer the regular starlight variety, something about them causes the taste buds and salivary glands to kick in. Perhaps a mint of some sort that gets the mouth used to breaking something down rather than pushing air out might help.
Joey
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-12-10 16:48
Being a snow bunny up here in Canada I will add that at this time of the year the air is defintely drier, so I think you should keep a bottle of mineral water nearby for those moments when you encounter this problem...
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-12-10 17:17
i always get 'dry mouth' on performance nights! only happens when i have a concert. gets really really bad. water or other liquids dont seem to help. i have found when i get anxious about things - not just concerts, the same thing happens. i know this dry mouth for me is a result of nerves. i havent found anything yet that helps.
JL
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-12-11 04:32
Singers use hard candies or cough drops, but all that sugar isn't a good idea with the reed.
It isn't just prescription medications that can dry out your mouth, many OTC formulations, especially those with anit-histamines can do the same. Health issues can also play a role including a developing illness, or hormonal fluctuations.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-12-11 14:21
I have a problem with dry mouth due to prescription medicine. My dentist told me to go to the drug store and get some stuff that comes in a tube like toothpaste. I can't remember the name of the stuff--but your pharmacist should know. You just put a little bit on your gums and it helps for a while. You could use something like that if you don't want to do what I found really works--a piece of Trident gum. I understand many people don't want to have something in their mouth while playing clarinet--so try the gel or water.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2002-12-12 20:34
There's a great scene in a Spongebob Squarepants episode in which Spongebob tries to play Squidward's clarinet but can't because his mouth is too dry. He spends about 30 seconds slobbering all over his sponge face in a vain effort to rehydrate. Great TV!
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Author: Hans
Date: 2002-12-29 21:53
I have had this problem as well, with both prescription and non-prescription medicines. Codeine dries up everything.
Anything in your mouth while you are playing represents a potential choking hazard, although sugar free candy or gum (sugar will make pads stick) when you are not playing should help. My local drug store sells a non-prescription spray to lubricate dry mouth and you could ask your pharmacist to help you find the right product for you.
Good luck,
Hans
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Author: Woodwinder
Date: 2003-09-26 04:39
Anxiety is the culprit. Lots of physically negative things happen when we perform, like sweating (the new form of your saliva), closing the throat, general tightness, etc. Then we might hear a wimpy sound coming from the clarinet, which sets up a psychologically negative circle of events. You have to remember how good you are. Also get comfortable with mistakes, because you're going to make them. Learn how to recover. But mostly, breathe. Get really good sinkers everytime you take a breath, and then push them out with utmost control. Let the reed vibrate, don't make it. Breathing can turn it all around. Tone is our material that we work with.
A good breath gives you a beautiful tone, something we can respond to, positively.
Also, some self-hypnosis. Subliminal tapes. Practice till you know it cold. All these suggestions will help with the main problem, which is anxiety. Just turn that negative circle into a positive one. It's so much fun to play, why make it into something painful?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-09-26 12:40
I agree with the anxiety/nervousness factor and favor the bottled water sidecar. I have the feeling that Gatorade or any sugar based drink could mess up things.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-26 13:04
BobD said:
> I have the feeling that Gatorade or any sugar based drink could mess up things.
Sugar based drinks can reek havoc on the pads of the clarinet...GBK
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Author: moose6589
Date: 2003-09-26 16:35
And remember, you always critic yourself the hardest. You may think you sound terrible or that you made a terrible technical mistake, but the audience will usually think that your tone is fine and that it was only a tiny mistake. If you stop or keep thinking about it, worse things will happen.
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