 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: spiderbelle
Date: 2006-05-02 16:57
Hello all,
I am coming back to the clarinet after a few years of not playing much at all (once or twice a year). I used to play a lot, even was a music major for awhile, but changed direction. I want to get back into shape. Thankfully, there is a summer community band where I live that will begin rehearsals in a few weeks, so there is at least one way to dive back in, but I'd like to do some stuff on my own too.
What do you recommend is the best way to return to playing after a looong break? My mouth will be killing me, I'm sure, and my fingers will know what to do, but won't be as even or dexterious as they once were.
I know scales will help my fingering. To assist my aching chops, I ordered reeds that are a little softer than I played when I was in shape. Other than that, I'm not sure what to do that would facilitate my "comeback."
Is there anyone who has been in a similar situation? Please advise. I don't want to dive in and get really frustrated right away. I was never a superstar, but I was a decent clarinetist, and I don't want to feel like I will never get back to where I once was.
Thanks so much!
--spiderbelle
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Author: susieray
Date: 2006-05-02 17:05
Spiderbelle,
One really important thing to do is to make sure your clarinet is in good repair, no leaking pads, bent keys, etc. It can be very frustrating and discouraging to play an instrument that is out of whack. So you might want to take it in for a tune-up if it has not been really played for several years, just to make sure it is good to go.
Sue
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-02 17:29
I must admit that after around 15 years of not playing clarinet much I jumped back in again at the deep end.
Though I would definitely start again using softer reeds rather than the floorboards I once used, and within a few months you'll be pretty much right back where you left off.
It's amazing how much is remembered - I subconsciously use resonant fingerings for throat notes, all the tricks, trills and tremolos soon surface before you know it (and it's also amazing to see how many people still stick hard and fast to their basic fingering charts when they've put loads more hours into playing in all that time than I have!).
But I put it down to having an excellent and influential teacher when I was in my teens that could write several books on all aspects of clarinet playing.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-05-02 22:52
i'm similar to chris - i stopped for 17 years. i'm now a symphony principal.
have your horn repadded, then get a box of reeds and a good etude book and have at it.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-02 23:03
I wish I was principal clarinet in an orchestra! I do get to play cor anglais though, which has it's fair share of long and lonely solos.
I could really get my teeth into some of the HUGE symphonic works on clarinet.
Fingers crossed, eh?
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-05-02 23:09
I came back to clarinet after a long break too and found that my mouth didn't bother me so much as my thumb did. The one that holds the clarinet. It hurt and was stiff after 30 minutes of playing for about 2 months. I eventually got used to it again, but maybe you could get a thumbrest cushion just in case. They are usually pretty cheap. That and I'm still rebuilding lung capacity/breath control.
For fingering, I have the Klose-Lazarus book and Velocity studies. My fingers do remember most of the main fingerings, but not the alternates and the first book goes through different keys and has fingering exercises with alternates and the velocities studies help with speed and dexterity. My fingers are less clumsy now.
Post Edited (2006-05-02 23:13)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-02 23:17
I suppose I haven't suffered any embouchure pain or problems as I've been playing sax all the while, and more recently taken up oboe and cor anglais (which did initially cause pain on my upper lip), but on clarinet it's a case of getting the tone I want back again - I'm not too far off the sound I have in mind (being a 'symphonic' sound), but give it a bit longer and I hope to get there.
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Author: spiderbelle
Date: 2006-05-02 23:45
Thanks to everyone who has responded so far!
I am sending my clarinet for an overhaul -- that way, if I'm not getting the results I want, I only have myself to blame! :-) I did order some new reeds. In response to mtague, I have a few different cushy thumbrests, plus I use a neckstrap (darn carpal tunnel!)
I will have to dig out my practice books. Anyone care to throw out some favorites? I have a lot of books, but I'm always open to new stuff.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-05-03 02:27
Melodious and Progressive Studies for Clarinet, Volume 1 (one) ; edited by David Hite, Southern Music.
Work through most of that, its a nice easy one to get going on again. Get your chops back. Metronome - get you sense of rhythm back. Tuner - relearn to play in tune.
Plus scales, thirds, arpeggios - all of them, all keys, major and minor.
Then work on Volume 2.
Then Artistic Studies, book 1 (one) from the French School, Hite, Southern. (Rose' etudes).
or wait for the next 50 posts, there will be 50 different suggestions - we all have our favorite books.
-Paul
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2006-05-03 02:36
I was about to say Hite when you posted Paul. Another good set is the three volumes of C. Baermann's "Complete Method for Clarinet". The first volume starts with a written section on technique. Although quaintly worded, it has a lot of tips that will speed your relearning process.
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Author: ned
Date: 2006-05-03 02:55
'' I subconsciously use resonant fingerings for throat notes,''
Chris P - could you elaborate please? I have not heard of this before.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-03 12:06
Ned,
Without thinking about it during playing I'm putting down RH fingers while playing throat notes (G-Bb), so somewhere in the depths of my mind I've still retained this.
So for example, play throat A and put some right hand fingers down to add weight and substance to it (Aooo|xxx) as well as to flatten these slightly if they're a bit on the sharpish side.
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2006-05-03 15:46
"Don't be hard on yourself" was the advice someone gave me when I got back into playing clarinet again after about 7 or 8 years without playing.
It was a good reminder to me then, and I suppose it still is today.
Good luck and most of all...enjoy yourself. Think of it as becoming reacquainted with an old friend.
Regards,
Brian Peterson
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Author: spiderbelle
Date: 2006-05-03 17:16
That's a great point, Brian. Knowing me, I would (will?) beat myself over the head for not automatically being right where I was at my prime. I will definitely keep your advice in mind, and hopefully it will help me gain some perspective. I'm playing again for FUN, for ENJOYMENT, and I'm sure everything will come back in time. But it will take time, and practice.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-03 17:29
spiderbelle - have you tried the Quodlibet telescopic supports that clip onto the thumbrest?
These should give a better playing angle and should take most (if not all) of the weight of the clarinet off you, whereas a sling generally makes the clarinet drop to a low angle during playing.
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Author: spiderbelle
Date: 2006-05-03 17:43
No, I haven't heard of that. Where can I get it? My neck strap helps a LOT but it doesn't fix everything.
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