 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Guido
Date: 2005-01-27 09:51
Playing woodwinds can be wildly cardiovascular, helping to promote our personal fitness by working our heart and lungs. And select muscles of the body benefit with awesome toning through our play.
But what about the muscles beyond the face, forearms and intercostals?
Woodwind players are athletes--- subject to overuse problems, in need of strength training and fitness programs, healthy nutritional choices, and weight management.
Anyone there with these concepts?? Have a fitness program which supports your play, maintains weight in the 'zone,' or releases energy? Yoga? Strength training? Running, rowing, cycling, paddling, hiking, x c skiing, walking daily?
Guido
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-27 13:27
I am a bit of a fitness freak, but not really for reasons involving the clarinet. Just for personal enjoyment/satisfaction.
Also, unfortunately, I can't really provide a "before/after" scenario as to whether it helped/hurt my clarinet playing since I've been very active in physical fitness type exercises for the past . . . (thinking) . . . I want to say eleven years . . . but I can't remember exactly. So I can't remember how I played before then, however I know any advances now are mostly due to practicing the instrument rather than fitness.
As for my regime, during the winter I (like most) slack off. I stick to pushups/situps/curls with 25lb weights about three times a week. Also snowboard when I can. During the summer I bump it up by biking about 50 miles a week (mountain biking when I can, but some is on the road), and in addition to the aforementioned calisthenics, I add in using a rowing machine about once a week and swimming once a week. Just for a change of pace.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-01-27 13:36
I'm gradually slipping back into running a couple of miles a day, partly to train for an upcoming marathon relay race in May, mostly just for conditioning. My lung capacity for playing needs some serious work, so running should do the trick.
I also belong to a local gym, but I haven't been going very much lately because it's packed every night with the New Year's Resolutions crowd who hog the machines for the first couple months of every year.
I kinda gave up lifting weights after I got back into playing seriously -- it seemed to take a toll on my finger flexibility. Now I'm pretty much a cardio nut.
I used to bicycle up to 20 miles a day once upon a time. Boy, I'd love to find the motiviation to do that again!
________________
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
Post Edited (2005-01-27 13:37)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-27 13:52
Not to sound rude or condenscending, but I've seen quite a few great players of wind instruments over the very few years that I've been around who are not what society would call physically fit. So I'm pretty sure that playing is mostly independant of physical fitness. I've seen people (and I'm sure others have too) who could play VERY lyrically and beautifully, however I'm not sure would have been able to do any sort of running, hiking, biking, etc.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-01-27 13:58
Following a {minor?] heart attack, and then bypass surgery, I "just felt better" and with encouragement ++ [and my resistance], entered our local hospital's, rehab/phys therapy program, and [now] truly believe it helps my stamina and playing. It is mainly track/laps walking and some quite lengthy[tiring] machine exercising, leg-knee and rotary arm working, no weights, or other more strenuous devices, [P O B] protect old bones character. I do recommend mild exercise for us old folk ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-01-27 14:50
Jack Brymer was a physical fitness instructor in the British army before becoming a professional musician. In one of his books, he wrote that a robust physique was essential for being a professional musician, in order to withstand the rigors of playing for a living and the late nights and dashing around to constant rehearsals and performances.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-27 15:09
Alexi brings up an interesting point...
MANY of the prominent professional wind players (woodwind and brass) currently holding orchestral positions are (IMO) less than stellar physical specimens. I am sure some weight gain has come about through the natural process of aging, but others are (again IMO) headed for heart attack city.
Is it due to the fact they are seated for so many hours a day?
Then again, there is Stanley Drucker, who, at 76, still looks like a kid...GBK
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-27 15:20
In viewing various orchestral performances I notice both "fit" and "unfit" appearing players. I guess there's variation in all things.
Bob Draznik
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Author: chipper
Date: 2005-01-27 17:30
Last year my wife was in a horrible auto accident. Intensive care for a week then several more weeks on the ward. When they sent her home she came with this device she was to blow into to prevent pnemonia. Then, one day came those three words a husband loves to hear from his wife, "Bring my flute." The therapy provided by the instrument was unbelievable. She didn't get pnemonia and the house was filled with music.
C
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-01-27 18:36
Alexi - some players look like they do because they don't take care of themselves. They would have an easier time of it if they did.
But playing certainly is quite a physical feat regardless.
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-01-27 19:46
Other than Arthur Fiedler, I can't think of a "hefty" conductor. But I haven't seen pictures of (let alone performances by) very many.
It was probably that wonderous "Pops Punch" that did it to A.F.
Ah, to be back in Boston when the Esplinade Concerts are on....
JDS
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-01-27 20:17
chipper,
Thanks for sharing the story about your flute playing wife.
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-01-27 21:41
Chipper - May I echo Hans' comment? I also came home fron the hospital with [and still have it], the 5000 VOLDYNE, 2 float lung exerciser. I attribute my rapid lung clearing/recovery to using it and quite a bit of coughing [as recommended following heart artery surgery]. I have had no trouble going back to bass cl playing, nor in the "fitness" detailed above. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Pete
Date: 2005-01-27 22:41
Who cares if fitness helps your playing. Staying fit helps your life. We keep complaining about the cost of health care, but refuse to believe that at least 40% of health care costs are directly related to life style choices. Meanwhile, our president jumps coast to coast giving speeches on how limiting malpractice suits can save 1/2 of 1%. Big deal.
Of course there are no guarantees. Life can throw any one of us an unexpected curve. But, you sure can stack the odds in your favor with a proper fitness program.
Think of what you want to do when you retire. Do you want to be helping your grandchildren with their lessons, taking them to games and the park? Entering races or walkathons? Or, do you want them coming to visit you at the nursing home to watch you dripple carrots down your chin?
I am currantly training for 5 triathlons this summer. At age 50 I can bike faster, run and swim farther, and do more pushups and chinups than I ever could in high school. You have to believe you can get in the best shape of your life no matter what your present condition. Now turn off the computer and TV and get to work!
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Author: Anon
Date: 2005-01-27 23:42
Hey Pete, I'm with you. I'm a totally dedicated triathlete (my 2005 season is 10 tri's and 4 running events) and I'm in better shape in my early 30's than I ever was in high school. Besides, I think a lot of people (not just musicians) could benefit from having diverse interests other than their profession.
:-)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-01-28 03:53
Well actually yes, there are guarantees but unfortunately they are mostly negative 
If we don't keep in shape we will decline rather rapidly at some point.
I caught myself on the way down. It's a battle.....
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2005-01-28 07:47
toots thielemans : harmonica player , >70 years , astma all his live
Walter boieykens : belgian well-known clarinettist : lung cancer , one lung removed , playing again after two weeks out of the hospital
But yes , some physical exercise is not only good for your general health, it also helps to clear your head from distractions so that you can more effectively concentrate and train more things in the same amount of time
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2005-01-28 14:30
Playing a wind instrument alone may not make you physically fit, but it should add to your fitness, assuming that it doesn't make you more sedentary. In addition to the muscles mentioned in the initial post, it should exercise the muscles controlling your diaphragm and help with lung capacity.
Regarding lung capacity, I've been playing bass clarinet as an amateur for years and I know my lung capacity is much greater than the average person's. I hate to admit this, but I've been watching "Fear Factor" reruns and have noted that those involved in the stunts that involve holding one's breath while underwater almost always have to quit long before I would, as I can hold my breath for much longer than any of them.
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-01-30 07:18
I know after playing bari sax for a few weeks pretty much straight my stomach muscles hurt like hell but are tighter now!
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