 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Herb
Date: 2000-03-18 04:13
I have been playing clarinet for going on 10 years or so. My counting time has always been a disaster, [ darn it.] I just cant cordinate my foot , the notes , playing etc. It really is stupid but true. I start off counting and tapping my foot about two bars I drift off lose it all. I keep playing the rhythms And the notes are the correct value. But no tapping no actual counting or order in my playing. I have a new teacher now. Many years since the last one. He has started me out tapping with my foot and counting notes. Which is great just what I want but I really am in trouble. Would really appreciate some help or a kind word. Thanks in advance. Herb.
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Author: Dave Goss
Date: 2000-03-18 12:57
If you are playing in an ensemble that has a conductor DO NOT tap your foot. The only way to make ritards, accelerandos, and rubato sections musical is to watch the conductor. Tapping one's foot will cause the ensemble to ignore the conductor.
If you are taping your foot during practicing or solo stuff I'd suggest using a metronome instead. I'm sure many people would argue that you need to internalize the beat, but having a constant ticking will do that too and keep a steady tempo no matter what.
At first it may be difficult to practice with the metronome, but it will definately help. If you feel yourself not keeping with the beat, then SLOW down the metronome. You are probably trying to play it faster than you can. Speed things up by increasing 1 bpm at a time and go about 10-13 bpm over the tempo. Another suggestion is to half the tempo. Let's say a piece is quarter = 110. If you are having problems at that tempo. Play through it a TON of times at quarter = 55, then immidiately jump back to quarter = 110. See if that worked, if not drop back to the slower tempo and slowly crank up the metronome.
If you are playing in a chamber ensemble consider hooking up a metronome to a boom box or other sound system. Do the same procedure and you'll see enormous improvements.
Rember practice does NOT make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-03-18 15:33
I have been checking out metronome, and they have changed so much over the years. Does anyone have any suggestions as to brand, features, model type etc.
Thanks
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-03-18 16:46
I have a Taktell Piccolo for "real metronome" use. There's something about a mechanical metronome that's soothing ...
I have a Seiko DM-33 for my music stand / clarinet case.
I borrow the Dr. beat from the kids when things are really complicated (the middle kid is working on some of the Chopin Nocturnes on piano, and the Dr. Beat is an invaluable tool when you're working on the mechanics of 7 on 8 or 11 on 4 timing).
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Author: Herb
Date: 2000-03-18 22:11
Thank you so much for suggestions. I have a great met. I have had it a long time [hardley used]. Ill shure will get it out and use it as you suggested. Some times I forget and a welcomed word Is all it takes to get on the right path. Thanks again for your words and time......Herb
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Author: Rick2
Date: 2000-03-19 03:26
Herb,
You have to count it and clap it without the clarinet. Get it right, then count and play it, get it right, then pratice it. Again, get it right, then practice it.
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Author: Dave Goss
Date: 2000-03-19 12:32
Rick those are good suggestions as well. I am very good at sight reading rhythms, but if I'm playing a rhythmically difficult piece, (eg. Right now I'm playing the Hindemith Sonata) I'll decide what type of beat to tap, (eight, quarter, sixteenth, etc) then tap that beat with my hand on my leg. While doing that I'll sing the part. Singing the correct notes isn't the goal of it, just rhythm. You can also do the same by singing while the metronome taps.
Hmm.... Clarinet and metronome duet? That would be interesting!
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