The Clarinet BBoard

Re: A practice routing for someone who doesn't like to practice

Author: ron b  Date:   2005-03-18 20:52 Hi, Mike: [Preface: Some of the best advise I've ever gotten has come, not from formal lessons, but from fellow musicians - regardless of what instrument(s) they played. It's all good and it's all about making music.] First of all, I don't consider myself a teacher in the usual sense. So, I can't tell you what works or doesn't work. And, even if I could, I don't know you or your personal motivation or how well you play well enough to advise you anyway. Fact is... you could probably teach me a lot. However, I can share some of my own personal experience with you about people I do know who are similar to you and your situation, from what you tell us in your post. My philosophy about making music is very much like Dano's. If making music isn't fun, to me, I don't do it... I love playing and sharing as I'm able to so do. That's my personality. I have two friends I've known since before they decided to take up an instrument and have watched and participated in their progress, one for a year and the other for two years. My first 'rule', when they were getting started and asked my opinion, was to play no longer than ten to twenty minutes a day. They're both guilty of breaking The Rule big time, almost from the very beginning. They 'practice' at least a half hour to an hour or more almost every day with no prodding or outside motivation and it all comes from within. They're self-motivated like you, Mike. They do music because of interest, for fun and for relaxation. So, on this note, these two sorta-students have come into my life; one sorta 'regular' student and one 'once-in-awhile' student (like you, very busy schedules). And, like you, Mike, they just want to play for fun. The sorta student, young fella, home schooled with a very full day of study, plays regularly, weekly, unaccompanied, at a convalescent home. The once-in-awhile student, professional man with very full schedule (often, early morning 'til late evening) is a strictly at-home-for-personal-enjoyment musician. The sorta student also plays regularly in our church emsemble and I'm encouraging the at home one to join us - if at first just to "get the feel" of group participation - not playing, just settling in (we'll see how long that lasts ) . They both play remarkably well. Sorta-player plays lead clarinet in a church ensemble now, can transpose from concert written parts at will (can play [tenor part] from hymnal bass clef as well), and plays pretty well by ear. He also plays harmonica, recorder, and is considering taking up alto sax. At home player enjoys playing for friends, strictly solo, and does very well. They know what tetrachords are, how to construct a major scale. They know about triads and inversions and are very good about figuring out rhythmic patterns - then fitting the notes to the patterns. We're discussing now about personal interpretation and expression and ensemble and solo performance. None of this is "work", mind you, they look, listen and play because they like doing it. No rigid lesson plan, no pressure to pass any test. With both players, when we meet we usually go over some basic theory, Q&A time, and do scales, chromatics, thirds and intervals to warm up. Then we play duets for fun and to work out any fingering and phrasing that might need attention. They pick the music. No pressue. No deadlines. No grading system. Just makin' music together 'cause we like to. And, best of all, they're doing quite well and are an encouragement to me to try t' keep up with 'em. I think you're on the right track, Mike, and, along with Dano, encourage you to find a group to make music with - rn b -

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