 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Christina Loy
Date: 1999-11-01 13:28
Remember me? I have been lurking in the background, reading and learning from this list and its contributors, as I have in the past.
For those of you who have not already heard, my father finally passed away in January and right after that I was diagnosed with Epstein-barr virus.
Playing is now more difficult, as I fatigue easily. I practice for a while and then spend more time than I played cleaning my clarinet to put it away.
Does anyone else on the list have this problem, or do you know of anyone who has successfully played despite this virus?
I love playing and don't want to "hang it up."
I also have a tidy sum invested in my playing and I refuse to sell my dream clarinet.
There's got to be a way!
Should I drop back on my reed strength and begin with 20 minutes of practice? (Gosh, to me that sounds like five hours!)
Should I begin with whole notes to try and get my breath back?
I feel like I am back in fourth grade, picking up the old horn for the first time because it was the only instrument left in the band room. (True story. That's how I chose the clarinet!)
I still have those books. Is this where I start?
Thanks, as always, for your assistance!
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Author: Willie
Date: 1999-11-01 16:09
In April '98 Ihad a 4-way bypass that set me back a few notches in my playing. When I first started playing again I noticed it was difficult to blow my Bb Sop. My contra was much easier even though it takes more wind, it offered less resistance and was easier on my freshly wired together chest plate. Then I tried my daughters clarinet and it played even easier. It was with new pads and corks. I never did find the leaks on my clarinet as I suspect they were minute and more than one but my weaken chest felt it. So if you're abilty to blow is weakened like mine was you might have your clarinet double checked for minute leaks. It doesn't take much to make your instrument stuffy and hard to blow.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-11-01 16:22
Good advice, Willie, I might suggest, Chris, trying an alto clar. with an "open lay" mp. I believe it would speak softly with less air pressure and only a little more volume than a Bb. Plastic altos sell inexpensively! Keep at it! Don
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Author: William
Date: 1999-11-01 16:26
In addition to Willie's great advice, check your reed strength. Perhaps a softer reed would make your playing time for enjoyable. Another idea--leave your clarinet on a stand all day, pick it up and play when you can (lot of short periods, perhaps) and clean it after your last session of the day. I know at least one college prof. who did this in his studio for most of his teaching career. Music can be the "spice of life." Never give up, and good luck!!!!!
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-11-01 21:11
Though I didn't have an illness to these extremes, I too have been ill lately, so I understand your situation and desire to start again, even if it's slow and easy.
First and foremost, do only what you can do. If it's easy music or very short phrases, so be it. As always, take the time to warm up. It helps both you and your horn. Don't go to extremes, just let your horn adjust to more or less human body temperature at least to the end of the mouthpiece if you can. Then, hold the horn in your hands or "hug" the horn close to you to at least bring the outside of the horn to near body temperature. Use a neckstrap on a soprano clarinet if you need to. Use a lighter reed or a more open mouthpiece if you need to. Take a bunch of mini breaks so you can perform without frustration for a few moments at a time. Break up your practice session into workable chunks. If you are tired blowing air through it, put the horn down and do a counting drill. If your hands are tired, try a short tuning drill with longer notes. If you can't perform your favorite passage at full speed, enjoy taking a more leisurely pace. A lot of music sounds fantastic that way. Go for the inner beauty instead of trying to rip the keys off in a blaze of glory.
When it's time to put the horn up because of fatigue, you can still "practice" by going over the music without the instrument. I usually go over the music well after I've put it all up, humming the tune or trying to count out the hard parts. I use a loud ticking clock as my metronome, and I am always amazed at how well I can play the hard phrase after I've "got it in my head". I also listen to great music on my local classical radio station. You can also keep on listening to great music of whatever style you like. If you have a happy song in your heart, you will tend to be a happy and healthier person for it.
Music is meant to be enjoyed, so is life. Savor every moment.
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 1999-11-02 09:46
Barr-Epstein, more commonly known as Epstein-Barr virus or EBV, is the cause of Infectious Mononucleosis, otherwise known as Glandular Fever and Kissing Disease. It is rare for it to lead to long-term disability, although it may take months for full recovery. The longest I have seen took 18 months, and did recover. Look after you general health with a good diet and perhaps Vitamin supplements, and have faith, you will get better and blow your horn as before.
Be patient.
Karel.
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Author: steve
Date: 1999-11-04 19:51
all of the above posts contain excellent advice, but sometimes its not enough...you have to accept reality and do the best you can do to get joy from your music in new ways. this is very difficult, a process I may be working on for the rest of my life...several years ago, I was diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease that ended nearly 40 years of clarinet, guitar, banjo, and fiddle playing on a level that I considered professionally acceptable. I was devastated, but am constantly seeking new ways of musical and self expression within my limitations. I've found my biggest enemy is not my disability, but bitterness and sadness. _Paul said it all in a previous post:_
"If you have a happy song in your heart, you will tend to be a happy and healthier person for it.
Music is meant to be enjoyed, so is life. Savor every moment."
s.
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