 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2003-03-11 22:41
I took a brief vacation with my daughter during her school break. I almost took my clarinet but decided that would be compulsive beyond belief, not to mention look (and sound) real obnoxious to others at the resort, and of course was not happy to expose my Buffet to air sickness and sticky hot weather. Now, after only about 10 days not playing, I find that my chops have gone flooey. My lips feel raw, I can't seem to get a proper lungful of air, my mouth and jaw hurt. I'm exhausted after only a short time practising and I don't even have the tropical climate to blame for my low energy level.
Second day playing wasn't much better.
Comfort? Advice? Reassurance?
tetiana
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Author: Kes
Date: 2003-03-11 23:15
Lol...I'm sure the LOVELY sound of a clarinet wouldn't have bothered others...if it did, then that is THEIR problem. Clarinets are the best! As for chops, I'll just tell you what others told me when I had the same problem...Practice a little bit, slowly, generally easy things at first just to warm yourself back up, then move up to the harder (or normal level) of stuff.
You just have to get back to playing in order to make the soreness go away...it's like exercise after a long time of being inactive. Don't wear yourself out...and get some good sleep!!! Maybe invest in some chapstick to put on your lips...but be sure to wipe it off before you play (of course...lol).
Hope I helped a little! 
____________________
"I speak reedish. Long live the language of the clarinetist!"
_________________
-kes
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-03-11 23:44
My dad didn't play for fifty years and picked it up again with relative ease. 10 days of not playing hardly sounds like long enough to lose your chops. I think it sounds like you are just tired. I wouldn't worry about it. I feel the need to take breaks from my horn and it comes back very quickly.
Jean
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-03-12 00:40
Hi, Tetiana --
I'm one of the regular visitors (occasional responder) here who occupies a tiny speck in the ranks of the retreads. I hadn't played, for all practical purposes, for thirty years when I decided to take up the horn again. As mentioned above about someone else, it all came back to me too rather quickly -- but the chops were sooooo out of shape I couldn't believe the agony after only a few minutes. I realized right away that I had to ease back into the saddle or I'd ruin my chances of getting back to even close to what I was hoping for. There's no shame in practicing for only a few minutes and coming back to it later in the day... or even the next day or two or whatever works for you.... The main thing I learned is to not push myself into a painful experience that'll squash my enthusiasm. Be nice to yourself in that respect and I guarantee it will be much easier than it might seem right now.
ron b
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-03-12 04:17
I am also one of the sensitive types, not wanting to bother others in hotel rooms, etc. with my playing sessions. But, I (and you) have worked too hard getting in shape. Its true that a week away can take two or three to get back to our original abilities and, especially, stamina. So, for me, I'll not be so bashful and take take my clarinet with me, if nothing else, to play long tones in the bathroom (acoustics will cover a multitude of sins!). To get the chops back faster, try several short session in a day (make your schedule permit), rather than one longer one. Do this pattern for several days, and your recovery may be quicker.
And here is a truism...I think it takes a fair degree of obsessiveness to be really good at anything in life...unless you are the 1 in 1,000,000 who is truly gifted (as opposed to merely talented). It is the rare professional in any discipline who doesn't have to obsess to remain great.
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-03-12 06:51
squeaker said: " LONG TONES!!!!!!!!"
Long tones by themselves are an inefficient use of your practice time.
Scales or intervals played very slowly, working on the smooth connection between notes will yield better long term benefits...GBK
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-12 13:07
As a jogger, whenever I took 10 days off from running, I sure had a tough time getting back into it. The only thing that helped was not taking another 10 days off from running. Same goes for playing the clarinet.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-03-12 14:42
Advice: GBK is spot-on -- Baermann 3rd Division. Nice and steady. It'll come back quickly if you were in any kind of shape before you left on your tropical sojourn. Playing clarinet is very physical, and like any other physical activity (jogging mentioned above) it takes time to build muscle strength and stamina back up after a layoff.
Comfort/Reassurance: On the bright side, it may actually have done you some good. I've found for my students that taking a little time off is actually a very effective way to reduce biting pressure and relax the embouchere. If you work on condition and control with greater relaxation in your scales, you might find your sound opens up a little and your pitch improves. Same thing for your finger tension.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-03-12 14:46
The "vacation chops syndrome" is one of the very reasons why I ALWAYS take my clarinets with me while traveling. There is always some down time where you can sneak in a little playing. I also advocate making plans with a local band in your proposed vacation area to "sit in" at a rehearsal. It is a great way to get a different perspective on the "local" of the region, meet knew people, play new music and help keep your chops from "going south." It is also a valuable resource on issues such as, where to buy groceries, what is really worth seeing and etc. In April, my wife and I will be flying to Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA) and I will be taking my clarinets as "carry on" in hopes of being able to "sit in" with the Greater Miami Wind Ensemble once again. It has been my experiance that local musical groups--expecially bands--always welcome visiting musicians. All you have to do is ask ahead.
As for recovering "vacation chops", just start practicing again. They will "come back" little by little over the next few sessions--be patient, and persistant. For a short while, you may even try a softer reed to help "ease the pain."
BTW, the term "vacation chops" is not just for amatures. I learned the term from the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestral Principal trumpet virtuoso, Adolph Herseth (spelling???) during a clinic he was giving at the Univeristy of Wisconsin in Madison on his way back to Chicago after a week long muskie fishing trip "up North." Apparently he did not "sit in" with any northern Wisconsin local bands and his embouchure went slightly "north." (maybe the next time.............LOL)
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-03-13 02:22
Long tones...long tones with scales, long tones with arpeggios, long tones with adagios, long tones with slow etudes...take your pick.
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2003-03-13 15:49
Thank you Kes, Jean, Ron, Jerry, GBK, Ralph, squeaker, msloss, william, all of you guys, for your great advice and support!!
Day 4 of my return and I definitely feel that it's coming back.
There is just one more thing I would add to the suggestions you all made:
When like me, your "chops have gone south" and you want to get them back, post a note on this bulletin board for invaluable therapy, advice, friendship, motivation and support! That was probably the most effective of all!!
tetiana
tetiana
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-03-13 17:22
One thing I notice is when I stop playing for say 3 days I feel totally out of sorts...tonight I am playing with our orchestra in a pops concert and I have been playing about 6 hours a day.....I would say anyone who can go a long time (1 week or more) and come back not feeling disoriented and play beautifully is an artistic genius!
David Dow
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Author: Kes
Date: 2003-03-14 00:06
Lol...one more recommendation. If you're ever travelling, bring your clarinet with you. There is ONE place you can practice, usually without bothering anyone...The bathroom! I'm serious!! People sing in the shower....why not rock out in the bathroom???
;)
____________________
"I speak reedish. Long live the language of the clarinetist!"
_________________
-kes
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