 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-04-13 03:15
The topic of playing with a larger sound has been discussed and read most gratefully by many of us. But there was no mention of maintaining physical condition and healthy eating in order to maintain strength in order to play properly. Personally I have to eat more proteins, eat less fudge cookies, sleep better, and do ab exercises and aerobic exercises in order to have a strong sound, not to mention allowing the brain perform better during demanding pieces.
Any comments on this from your personal experiences?
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-04-13 03:29
I find when I do a lot of swimming my breath control is much better. I played bass clarinet into my ninth month of pregnancy. The only time I don't like to play is if I have a bad cold where my sinuses are bothering me.
Jean
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Author: Sue
Date: 2003-04-14 15:29
Breath control is the area which I'm currently having problems and I know its because I'm terribly out of shape. After two pregnancies and being (oh boy it hurts to write it! ) yes, overweight plus a few years ago developing a mild case of bronchitis (I'm 44) sometimes I find myself struggling until I get "warmed up". I know for my playing to progress I must "tone up"
my body to develop stamina. I find walking helps, I live in a mountainous region and its very easy for me just to step out the door than to drive downtown to a gym!.
Sue
Post Edited (2003-04-14 16:37)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-04-14 16:55
I don't know how much correlation there is between being physically fit and being able to play any better. My clarinet teacher is overwieght and has diabetes. However he has great control over his breath and seems to do fine. I've met many people who are not considered "physically fit" for their age and play wonderfully, while on the flipside, I have met people wh ARE considered physically fit and play just as well. I think that your breath control is something more independant of your body type. As long as you're not trying to jog along to the music, I don't think you have to worry about being in good physical health in order to maintain a good ability.
I agree with the first post on that staying in shape helps to keep your brain in better shape (I'm sure if I wasn't lazy right now I'd go get the evidence to support it, but I feel no need to right now). Staying in shape helps to keep you more energetic and it boosts your immune system as well as self esteem.
My theory is ANY little bit helps. My clarinet teacher (once again) isn't in the best of shape (he has a lot of shape, but you know what I mean). However he does lift weights (minimally just to help burn off some sugar to keep his diabetes in check) three times a week. And I'm sure that even this small amount helps him than if he were to do NOTHING.
For the record, I stay physically fit, and don't know whether I'd play worse if I wasn't or not, but I am not about to lose my health just to "find out".
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-04-14 17:14
I've yet to hear someone complain about being in decent physical shape 
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-04-15 03:33
There are some valuable points here. You know how a lot of famous singers are quite large? and yet the important muscles are in shape. It's what muscles you use daily that makes a difference. I bring this up because I'm an office worker, and fortunately I get to run up and down the stairs many times a day, but the sitting takes its toll! Aerobic exercise and several good nights of sleep make a huge difference for me.
Any discussion about good tone and support of sound has to include the consideration of the fitness of the required diaphram and embouchure muscles. So much is told of the equipment used, and that can make an enourmous difference, as is illustrated so eloquently. But put the same instrument in the hands of a professional and in the hands of a frail person, and you can imagine what I'm talking about.
So many of us are sleep-deprived, and many don't eat properly. So how can we expect the body to perform properly? An athletic trainer knows the importance of all of these requirements - a runner can't expect his career to last very long if his nutrition and sleep are severely compromised.
Clarinet teachers can't overlook this aspect of teaching our students, as we are coaches of a very physical exercise.
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Author: Molliweide
Date: 2003-04-15 16:59
Some if it probably has to do with physical set up too. I am a bass clarinet and vocalist and I can always remember my ability to be loud. As early as 7 years old, I was being told to quiet down a bit in choir. I was moved from clarinet to bass in the 7th grade because of being two loud. With age came the control to be soft.
Sad thing is now I have a sinus infection and we open The Pajama Game in a week and I have no voice.
Loud can be developed in quiet persons, and soft can be developed in loud persons.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-15 17:15
I have personally found relaxation, rest and diet to be the biggest factor in how well I play. Concentration skills depend largely on how well you rest eat and of course take care of yourself.
Players who don't excercise and eat a balanced diet, as well as smoke or drink excessively are at risk in developing problems which will lead fatigue and lack of stamina. If you also look at the huge amount of air good clarinet playing requires, then I would certainly bet you should seriously look at the way you manage you own health....younger players can undermine lessons by not eating properly or even going without meals.
I see alot of teenage students who are in such a bad mood or frame of mind during lessons...
, so when I ask then if they have eaten the answer is always "no".
Fine solists and orchestral players do things that help make life alot better. excercise, reading, having interests way outside the spectrum of music will go along way in allowing you to come back to the clarinet refreshed and enervated.
David Dow
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-04-15 22:35
Depends on a lot. I am back to my "Rhumy" on Thursday to modify my meds (if possible). Flares this past week have prevented me from playing. So, I'm happy just to be able to yank it all out of bed. Just noticed D.Dow's "drink excessively". Define excessively! A "toddy for the body" at 5:00pm betas the hell out of another pain pill (if your Liver will tolerate it).
Bob A
Post Edited (2003-04-15 23:38)
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2003-04-16 19:18
D Dow--are you sure you meant "enervated"??
I am a swimmer and find that, though perhaps the quality of my sound doesn't change when I don't work out, the length I can hold out phrases diminishes markedly. We also have young, healthy-looking clarinetists in my studio at school who, in spite of their age and appearance, smoke, and these folks seem to find themselves gasping and wheezing during their solos in studio class.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-17 04:57
Enervated means feeling like you have piles of energy! As for a 'drink' daily its is supposed to be good for the system....younger members of the board under drinking age are prohibited by law of course Bob.
David Dow
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-04-17 16:52
David - "Enervated", a cross between "invigorated" and "energized"? That's one of those words that you know instinctively what it means until someone asks you to explain it.
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-04-17 17:08
David --
What dictionary are you looking at? Mine tells me just the opposite: to be enervated is to be weakened.
Todd W.
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-04-17 17:31
One thing for sure
IF YOU SMOKE -----QUIT.
also it is easier to resale your horn.t
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: Allie
Date: 2003-04-17 22:51
what we really should do is get a peak flow meter and do an organized study.....................I am slightly asthmatic, and just love the surprised look on the nurse's faces when they test me for lung capacity!!
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-04-18 03:28
Or the physiotherapist when she asks for a deep breath - "No! Fill your chest not your diaphram!"
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