 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-11 14:58
I have difficulty concentrating while playing and a momentary lapse can get me lost in the music. I’m playing in concert bands and in pit orchestras, and this problem has the worst consequences in the pit orchestra. In the pit, I’m not playing at all times, and I can be distracted by the action on stage, by other players, or just start to day dream. I’m a returning player and a Senior, so a lack of experience in recent years contributes to my problem. I’m looking for tips on how to gain focus of attention. Thank you.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-11 15:51
FDF,
do you experience this loss of attention/concentration in other fields too? Some people are more prone to distraction (one of my children, for example) while others follow their course no matter what storm is around them.
I googled a bit around (I know loss of concentration all too well, too) and found - amongst others - this article. Dunno if it really helps, I tried to read it but got distracted by some advertising pop-up.
When completely "off the rails", I do some autogeneous training, this normally helps. Per the music - I must follow the piece bar by bar, else I'm sure I miss my cue.
--
Ben
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-11 16:58
“do you experience this loss of attention/concentration in other fields too?”
Ben,
I once took pride in my ability to concentrate. In fact, I even taught concentration for actor’s using ideas like Stanislavski’s ring’s of concentration, where you focus on something small and close (like a prop) and then gradually add rings of expansion to include the entire circumstances of the stage and the audience. I could focus on what I was studying and be oblivious of distraction. Since I’ve retired, I’ve noticed my concentration falters. For instance, when I’m playing tennis I’ll have lapses that contribute to the loss of a point or game. With the clarinet, I think part of my dilemma is a lack confidence. As a returning clarinetist, I’m constantly in new situations being a new comer to a band, a jazz group, or a pit orchestra. I want to do well, but sometimes this desire serves as a distraction and becomes counter productive.
“I googled a bit around (I know loss of concentration all too well, too) and found - amongst others - this article. Dunno if it really helps, I tried to read it but got distracted by some advertising pop-up“.
I read the article and found it motivational; I will try some of the exercises.
“When completely "off the rails", I do some autogeneous training, this normally helps. Per the music - I must follow the piece bar by bar, else I'm sure I miss my cue.”
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Forest
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2006-11-11 19:35
Forest,
It seems like your concentration problems are a little more serious than most, but I recommend reading a book that you may have heard of called The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green. It's an excellent book dealing with the mind games that happen inside musician's brains. It may help you deal with your lack of confidence, as well as help with overall concentration.
As far as concentration while you are in a tacet in your pit orchestra; I, myself have do not have many problems, but if I do for some reason feel especially tired that night: I just concentrate on the music that's being played, listening to every aspect of it and how it all works together. It keeps me interested and my brain relatively aware of what's going on. I realize that in a pit orchestra it may seem to get old (because it's all the same music on multiple nights), but you just have to try and find something new with it every night.
Best of luck to you
Chris Arcand
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-11 19:51
Thanks Chris, I'll take your tip to the pit with me tonight. I'll also look for the book title you recommend.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-11-11 20:06
For the pit band, can you get a copy of the full score? You could put it on a separate stand and read along until you get to your entrance.
You could also mark the chord changes diring the rests in your part, so that you can follow them along.
If the phrase structure is in the usual groups of 8 bars, you could divide the long rests into groups of 8 and count them with your fingers (minus your thumbs).
Finally, talk to the trombonists and percussionists about how they count the long rests.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-12 16:37
Ken Shaw,
Getting the score is a great idea, wish I would have known to do that at the beginning of this run that ends today. The ideas you offer for focusing on the music are also helpful.
Last night went better, as a result of this discussion. For nearly Forty years I was a theatre director. Part of my concentration problem was changing my focus of attention from that of a director to that of a musician, and to think like a musician. Now, I feel like I’ve got a grip on my problem and some tools, thanks to you responders, that will help me gain the concentration I need to play my best.
Thanks,
Forest
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Author: elmo lewis
Date: 2006-11-15 02:23
FDF, could you please comment, perhaps in a new thread, on any other aspects of the Stanislavski method or other people's methods that could be applicable to a performing musician or to teaching music? Could you also point out some books, articles, or web resources with some basic info on the topic?
Thanks.
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-15 06:14
Elmo lewis, In response to your question inquiring about aspects of Stanislavski’s method of acting that might be applicable to a performing musician, I wrote a blog story on "Stanislaski for the Clarinetist" that you can read here http://pappy.tw3k.net/ I didn't want to take up too much space on the board here. Please comment on the blog.
Post Edited (2006-11-15 12:11)
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Author: Cuisleannach
Date: 2006-11-15 06:37
I once had a stanislawski method teacher who came to a rather sad end. She believed in experiencing and cataloguing every experience she'd have to play on stage.....then she had to play a corpse.
An old joke but a fun one!
-Randy
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-15 20:14
Since you have acting experience (Stanislavski), as do I, I would recommend you use the skills you learned from him by trying this:
While in the pit, track the actions on stage as if you were in the play, ballet, opera, etc. Mark entrances and exits on the music as if they were acting cues and focus that way. I used to memorize the entire script when I was younger (as an actress), and kept up by focusing on where I was in the action on stage.
That might help a bit...but the other suggestions are good as well.
The memory (and attention) can be a mental muscle. It has to be worked and reworked to get in shape much like our physical muscles. It's hard to come back after a long absence and becoming a senior (I'm 56) works against us...but it is NOT impossible. Keep on keeping on.
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-15 22:07
Thanks Brenda, wonderful suggestions that I shall apply.
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