 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-08-05 01:03
Hi everyone!
I'm in a bit of a situation and I can't quite decide what's best. I'm moving to London to study at the beginning of September, and while I've got everything sorted and paid for (Flights, accom, every other misc. expense), I'm working full-time to save money. Since everything is paid for now, I don't NEED to work, but the extra money would be nice.
My only worry is that at the end of each work day, the last thing I want to do is come home and practice. My playing is obviously suffering because of it, and I'm worried about the quality of my auditions throughout September and October in the UK.
So, what do I need more - practice or money?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-08-05 01:17
Morrigan -
You should come to your study and auditions in September in top shape. That way you'll get the most out of it.
Therefore, give it your best time. Get up two hours early and practice before you go to work. If necessary, find a place where you won't disturb your neighbors -- in the basement, in a storeroom or office where you work, in your car, in a music store before it opens, in your church -- there will be a place if you apply your imagination.
Of course you'll be tired at the end of the work day and will need to go to bed two hours early, but it's only for a month.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-08-05 01:23
I think you pretty much answered your own question!
My advice? Practice. You'll only get this chance to audition once.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-08-05 01:27
<So, what do I need more - practice or money?>
You probably need a combination of both. What about fifteen minutes in the morning without the mouthpiece, just reading and fingering, then fifteen or twenty minutes when you get home, scales, arpeggios, etc? No it's not optimal by any means but you keep up a certain momentum. I'm sure you can think of your own personal practice scheme, just be flexible and willing to practice with your horn wrapped in a towel if necessary — it's temporary.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-08-05 04:14
It can be done. You'll have to sacrifice a bit on your social life, but it can be done. I was working two jobs (one fulltime one parttime) about 60 hours a week and what I would do is get home, scarf down dinner, practice about two hours, and I STILL had a litle bit of time to grab a cup of coffee with a friend.
Best way to do this is time management. Literally take a sheet of paper with hour-long slots between them, factor in time to get to and from your job, and schedule your practice time in. You'll find that a full-time job still allows you PLENTY of time to do other things. But the hard part is STICKING to the schedule and passing up that good movie on TV or passing up a long night out with the friends or anything.
Example: If you factor in an hour commute each way, and an hour to get up, eat breakfast, shower, and get ready for the commute to work, that's about 11 - 12 hours out of your day. How much sleep you need? last I heard, 6 - 8 hours was the norm. Let's figure high and put 8 hours. That's 20 hours out of the day. You have 4 hours left (on a workday). Lunch was taken care of at work, dinner should be no more than an hour (if even up to that much). That's three hours left. Two hours of practice and an hour to relax and wind-down with some tv or reading or whatever, or three hours of practice if you are inclined. And that's all factoring very high numbers for commuting, eating, sleeping, etc.
Alexi
Learned this from my music theory I professor (only theory I ever got to take). He was an ex-army trumpet player (PHENOMINAL player) and whenever someone complained about not having enough practice/study time in our class, he'd tell us to schedule it. Turns out that while class was at 0800, before class he had already swam two miles, run two miles, and done about 300 pushups and situps. EVERY DAY. Cause he had it planned and settled into a routine.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-08-05 12:23
Alexi makes some great points. In addition, keep in mind it is part of the real world, so it is good preparation. It is always tough to fit the practice time in. Even if your main gig was as a full time player, you would still need to figure out time to practice. Keep your spirits up and I am sure a healthy practice session will actually leave you feeling invigorated.
But keep in mind, if you are really burned out on a given day and need the down time to hang with friends, catch a movie or whatever, it doesn't kill you to skip a day. Another possibility is just to a basic routine, run your warm ups and scales and then go have some fun, coming back with a fresh mind the next day. It is actually better than to just go through the motions, doing sloppy practice.
Good luck!
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-08-05 15:38
Sfalexi, hats off to you, my friend. I have always admired people that can be that methodical about their daily schedules and still have a happy life. I can make all the time sheets and schedules and graphic charts but once I put them into action, I am one unhappy, unspontanious clarinetist.
I say practice. You want to make it to London in top shape. You don't want to burn out just before going. Having everything paid in advance, you are ahead of the game.
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Author: donald
Date: 2007-08-05 21:20
make a routine that you can do in one hour- 15min speed articulation, 15 min legato, a few orch extracts, a different page each day from the Muller scales page, and something to sight read...
something along those lines- i am sure you will have your own ideas what to include, make up a routine that covers all the bases and that you think you can do in one hour.
Have this as your "average day", but then every couple of days have one day as a "clarinet nerd day" where you just really woodshed instead of going surfing/pub etc etc.
i'd reckon that one good solid hour is enough to stop you from sliding backward
donald
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-08-05 21:46
Thanks everyone. I guess I sorta did already answer the question myself. I quit my job today, and I'm super-excited about going back to 3 hours of practice a day! There's no way I'm going to London and not kicking some serious ass at the auditions.
For what its worth, I agree when someone mentioned the 'real world' - for my whole undergrad degree I worked night shift in Technical Support for an ISP, so I had all day for practice, rehearsals, classes, etc. but when it's a 9 - 5 job, it's a very different world that I obviously couldn't cope with.
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-08-05 21:57
Morrigan,
I applaud your decision! The musician's life doesn't often fit the normal mold, nor should it. Of course, with that comes the occasional -- if not regular -- financial insecurity, and on top of that you'll no doubt have bouts of artistic insecurity. But if your music is a calling (and based on the little bit you've shared I'd say it is), you have no choice but to live somewhat on the fringes of "normal" society, but the satisfaction you'll receive as a performer have few parallels in life.
If you're resourceful and/or expert in fields other than clarinet, you can always make money. Now's the time to, as you said, kick some ass.
Best of luck on your auditions.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-06 00:49
I used to (in College) wake up at 5:00 and practice 3 hours before classes. (6:45-10:00 am).
Work less and practice more if the Clarinet is your life.
Remember that no audition will accept any excuse for not being in top form.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-08-06 15:47
Don't be afraid to pick up a parttime job for a little extra cash. And being a little more frugal with spending will make it last longer. Lord knows I wouldn't mind having all day off to play, but in all honesty I'd probably get a little bored with TOO much free time and it'd be nice to have a little extra cash for an occasional trip to the movies, out to eat, etc. It doesn't have to be full-time or no-time!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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