 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-09 00:27
Hey all
I'm performing Weber's 2nd Concerto with orchestra later this month. Over the weekend, I performed the entire concerto from memory (with piano) in a concert, and towards the end at times I thought I was gonna fall over or pass out, I was that exhausted.
In the lead-up to this performance and particularly on the day, what stuff should I be eating? The performance is at about 8pm on a Sunday, what should I do that day? Go about my day as normal, or sleep in or get up early or what? I've never done anything this 'big' before!
Thanks
PS. Bearing in mind that I hate bananas!
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-11-09 00:38
Don't obsess about things like that, or you'll drive yourself nuts (or worse, you'll drive family, friends and coworkers around you nuts). Just lead a normal, healthy lifestyle. Get ample rest.
My wife is a soprano that performs far and wide, doing challenging material. From time to time, someone will ask if she can eat before she sings. Her answer: Yes, as long as I have a chance to swallow.
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2005-11-09 02:12
Morrigan,
Sounds like you may have been short of breath as opposed to really "tired." Maybe thats why you felt like you might pass out towards the end of a demanding work. I suggest taking slow deep breathes during the rest. Also helps me to stay relaxed. I try not to fiddle around with my reeds, etc during these rests, because, as the name suggests, i try to rest. I also use this time to make sure that are is no tension in my shoulders when i am playing, especially when i am standing during a performance. I have developed some excersizes that have seemed helpful to me and some of my students to quickly reduce tension in the shoulders and upper back area. To me, its seem like a lot of energy, and mental focus is wasted when you are more tense.
Best
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-11-09 02:33
I think I read somewhere that the NY philarmonic concertmaster usually tuna salad sandwiches before performances to help boost his concentration. I have never played a concerto with orchestra and you are certainly a much finer player than I am. I woudl think that you would do something similar as a long distance runner, stock up on carbs for energy, but allow yourself to properly digest it before the performance. Eating 10 pounds of pasta right before the gig is not going to do you any good. A good night of sleep and a careful warm up routine will certainly help. Most players probably have their little routine which helps them energize and focus on the performance. I'm afraid you'll have to figure out what works best for you...
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-09 04:15
How old are you? I have something (maybe the right name would be a phenomenon) that is surprisingly called syncope (the actual name is longer but I only remember the end of it). this 'thing' makes you pass out sometimes. I have it for years and I've only passed out two times. Usually you just start to see black and feel dizzy so you know you have to sit down or even better lie down with your feet up. When I do sports or practice/play clarinet for a long time standing (I rarely do) it happens more, especially if I don't sit or lie down after.
There is a simple test to see if you have it, and if you do, don't be scared, it is not a big problem at all and doesn't happen often.
Post Edited (2005-11-09 05:01)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-09 11:30
I definitely don't hate it. I've never passed out, it was just exhaustion.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-11-09 12:42
Pre-concert food: peanut butter and banana sandwich
on whole wheat, with a glass of milk does it for me. (Sorry about the banana.)
It has frequently been noted on this list that the point of practice, after the learning phase, is to allow you to experience the sensations and demands of actually playing the piece, so you can anticipate and make adjustments for what is likely to happen the next time.
You did that, by arranging a small performance, and you learned something about how your mind and body respond in that situation.
Given what you learned on this first trial, I would think you would want to try that sort of setup at least twice more -- a small performance, even for no one but your dog and cat, so that you better understand and get more accustomed to your mental and physical responses to the undertaking.
You don't want any surprises on concert night!
Susan
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2005-11-09 14:04
While I do not know how you practice, I always make sure that I run through the piece several times to make sure that I can do it once. While we might all practice longer than a typical recital time, when we practice we also aren't working as hard as a performance. Like the athlete, if we have to lift 100lbs. in a competition, we must reach 110lbs. in practice.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-11-09 15:26
I think what's more important here is what you plan to eat (or more importantly, drink) AFTER the performance.
/good luck
________________
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
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2005-11-09 15:53
I am sure not to eat a large meal within six hours of a performance, but I eat a few crackers about an hour before, and some M&Ms about 15 minutes before a performance.
I have curvature of the spine, and don't want partially digested food taking up space that may be needed for lung expansion. The carbs in the crackers and the sugar in the M&Ms give me energy without bulk.
I keep crackers and M&Ms in my bag next to my emergency repair kit.
Your mileage may vary.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-11-09 15:53
Morrigan -
Congratulations! You've obviously got loads of talent and have worked hard to earn this opportunity.
You're entitled to be stressed and a bit nervous. In fact, without at least a small butterfly in your tummy, you probably wouldn't play as well.
I usually take a long walk on the morning of a concert, which seems to take the edge off my nervousness. Have something nourishing, but don't eat too much, since the food will take up space that you need for air.
Breath deep, expanding your lower body in back as well as in front.
If you're going nuts, get your doctor to prescribe a beta blocker. A single dose will put you back in control and can't possibly do any harm.
Finally, remember that you're the soloist. You're entitled to take a breath wherever you need to. Leave out a note, or even a whole beat. What counts is your full presentation, not single notes. No one will notice except other jealous clarinetists. I think particularly of the long, no-place-to-breathe passage in the first movement before the ascending arpeggios, and the final page of the third movement.
Figure out where you may need to take any extra breaths and point them out to the conductor, who will be more than accommodating. His/her job is to help you give your best performance.
Good luck. Break a reed and let us know how it goes.
Ken Shaw
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-09 16:56
Do not stock up on Carbs. They will give you short term energy and then make you tired. Eat lean protein that day and don't eat heavy at all for at least 3 hours before performing.
Stay well hydrated too. I never get tired during a performance, but afterwards can be exhausted.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-11-09 17:09
Hi Morrigan,
The music director for one of the orchestras I play with, always schedules a rehearsal two hours before our concerts. The rehearsals are supposed to last an hour but often run over - by as much as 45 minutes. A couple of years ago, I realized that, when I didn't eat something before the rehearsal, I had trouble maintaining focus during the second half of the concert. One day, in a hurry because I was running late, I ate a peanut butter sandwich right before I left for the rehearsal. It agreed with my system and carried me for the entire afternoon. So now, before a long performance, I always eat a peanut butter sandwich.
Of course, being from down under, you might prefer vegemite to peanut butter. The risk, as I see it, however, is that the Vegemite Song might start running through your head and come out of your instrument instead of the Weber Concerto. 
Whatever you decide to eat, do a couple of trial runs. As Susan pointed out, you don't want any surprises on the Concert.
Best of luck with your performance,
jnk
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-11-09 20:14
If your conductor schedules a dress rehearsal the day of the concert, you'll be worn out before the concert.
The solution (and I'm **not** joking) is to exercise the soloist's Right to Faint. Opera singers do it all the time, to save their voices for the performance. Get through the first movement, tell the conductor you need some water, put down your clarinet, walk toward the water fountain, settle gently to the floor and slump over.
Don't overdo it. You don't want them to cancel your performance. If there's a couch, mutter "I'm feeling faint," sit down, lean back, close your eyes and relax.
Tell your mother/boy/girlfriend that you may need to do this. That way they won't panic and will be able to help you.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-11-09 21:08
Ive found that jellybeans (the glucose ones that you get from the chemist- glucosel i think?) have helped me when ive felt like this from playing bari sax, generally during a band gig but if you eat a couple before you go on it might help....
Whens your concert? In melbourne i presume?
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-11-09 21:39
Steak and potatoes, just like SR-71 pilots.
(What the hell do I know, I never perform as a soloist with orchestra.....)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-09 21:51
Wow, the advice is just pouring in! Thanks!
I'm seeing a doctor to ask their opinion today, I'll tell you about my find.
And yes, I can't start a day without Vegemite LOL
Aussiegirl - Melbourne Town Hall, Sunday 27th (of THIS month) 7:30pm, $15/$12 at the door. Might see you there, the MYSB is playing immediately before me so it might be worth seeing.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-11-10 01:30
Ah, someone else who needs to eat or else!
Actually at my student's last lesson before the exam I made a list of things to do the day before and the day of. Among the things to do the day of was to eat a small snack for energy about an hour before the exam. Her Mom is a dietician so would know exactly what to provide for that energy snack. She was very happy with her grade so things went well.
I respond like you do if meals are skipped, it doesn't matter if it's a performance or rehearsal or just the office job. For me a meal replacement bar or a 1/2 sandwich along with water does the trick before a performance. You have to try things out ahead of time as the others have suggested and see what works well for your system.
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Author: OboeAtHeart
Date: 2005-11-10 02:06
I've never played with a symphony before - wow! Congrats and good luck!
I generally eat a few protein bars with a bottle of water or propel. It's important that you don't eat sugary things before you play or your reed will wig out... at least, mine do.
I've been forced to eat burger king a few times as well.
*~"The clarinet, though appropriate to the expression of the most poetic ideas and sentiments, is really an epic instrument- the voice of heroic love."~*
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Author: marzi
Date: 2005-11-10 03:29
Ken, I don't know about that advice to faint, maybe they expect opera singers to do that , but anyone else may end up having someone call an ambulance on them because you can never be sure what is going on. Certainly if someone is that faint where i work , we call emergency services.
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Author: Richard Salzman
Date: 2005-11-11 05:18
I know sugar is on the bad list these days but I must tell you a story.Once upon a time I had ajob unloading a boat load of fish.135,000 pounds worth.Just two of us shoveling slimy fish into a bin which was then lifted by crane out of the hold.When we got near the end there were some knobby skinned fish that I had to gather together with a fifty pound iron rake.I was in the hold of that boat for nine hours and had nothing to eat.I did not think I would make it out alive.Sometime around hour number seven someone gave me a coke.Never have I been so aware of the power of sugar as at that moment,a caloric epiphany;it revived my spirits and enabled me to finish the job.And I never shoveled another fish.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2005-11-11 08:39
I can't play without a clean mouth and a settled stomach - I wouldn't recommend anything for (at least) the last hour before performance - except water.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-11 18:39
That would be because your sugar level would have been really, really low - exercise would do that for those many hours without anything to eat.
Make it 2 hours before playing if you can.
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Author: vin
Date: 2005-11-11 19:33
Before I play Daphnis, I eat a whole bowl of Lucky Charms.
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