 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: maxnorman
Date: 2010-12-27 17:07
Though on Winter Vacation, I have been doing quite a bit of practicing this past week: Monday (12/20): 2 hrs; Tuesday (12/21): 2.5 hrs; Wednesday (12/22): 2.5 hrs; Thursday (12/23): 2.5 hrs; Friday (12/24): 1.5 hrs; Saturday (12/25): 3 hrs. On Sunday, however, I took a day of rest, spending my afternoon exploring the South-Western countryside.
What is the collective opinion on taking rest days? My practice sessions, mind you, have not been spent entirely with the horn in my lips, as I have been testing new reeds (Rico Reserve Classics versus Vandorens), learning how to best use my new reed knife, and, from time to time, taking rests, when necessary.
My goal is to audition in May for a highly competitive youth orchestra (I am a high school student), the success of which will be dependent upon improvements in articulation and mastery of two pieces, plus orchestral excerpts.
I will appreciate all advice.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-12-27 18:01
why do you record how long you practice each day?
practice until you're done, and stop watching the clock.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: maxnorman
Date: 2010-12-27 18:31
I record the length of my sessions simply to predict the duration I must set aside each day for the task. There is no clock to be watched in my practice room, I am proud to say. It is important, however, for one to know when he will be available for other tasks and pursuits; for that reason, I try to keep a running tab of time spent in practice.
Post Edited (2010-12-27 18:55)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2010-12-27 19:02
I think rest days are fine. It's rest weeks that start to cause problems.
Karl
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Author: PrincessJ
Date: 2010-12-27 19:47
You shouldn't have any problem. You're practicing plenty enough as it is, and it would be beneficial to take a rest day, to allow yourself to "recoup". I usually practice 3-4 hours every day, with my "rest days" being about 2 hours, mind you, I worked up to it. I used to take two days off completely per week, which was quite a time ago, and never experienced any difficulties.
-Jenn
Circa 1940s Zebra Pan Am
1972 Noblet Paris 27
Leblanc Bliss 210
1928 Selmer Full Boehm in A
Amateur tech, amateur clarinetist, looking to learn!
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Author: salzo
Date: 2010-12-27 20:24
In my younger days, I practiced every day. THese days, I NEED at least one day a week when I do not take the clarinet out of the case.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-12-27 20:34
Rest days help in my opinion. It allows you to take in all that you have worked on, and allow your lips/brain/everything else to reset and be ready for the next things you work on. I generally don't practice on the weekends because of this. You also need time just for other fun activities!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-12-28 00:22
If you think about it from a "training" perspective, it is only normal to take breaks every now and then to allow the body to recover.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-12-28 01:53
Rest days are fine. But I personally find that if I take 3 days off in a row, it's DEFINITELY felt when I try to return on that fourth day.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-28 03:50
Taking a day off is a very good thing to do. Have you ever noticed that you sound a bit better, fingers are smooth, eyes and brain are rested, with taking a break?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2010-12-28 03:51)
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2010-12-28 12:28
Taking breaks is essential. This stops one becoming stale. I personally take breaks when I need them. Right now during the holiday season I'm not touching the instrument for a week. This is no problem for me as I'm pretty much playing and working throughout the year.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-12-28 12:59
Not a problem at all, it's good to take a day off now and then, even a couple if you feel you need it. I used to hate to do that as a student but it's probably good for one's mental and physical health. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: redwine
Date: 2010-12-28 14:35
Hello, happy new year!
I have heard this paraphrase attributed to Doc Severinsen, but have also heard that he may have stolen or adapted the quote to fit his needs from Jascha Heifetz, who may have even taken it from someone else:
Doc: "If I take one day off, I notice, if I take two days off, my band notices, if I take three days off, the audience notices".
Jascha: "If I don't practice for a day, I know it, two days, the critics know it, three days, the public knows it".
Off to the practice room...
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2010-12-28 15:17
Even that's not necessarily a bad thing. I sometimes find that being a little out of shape after a week's vacation travel somewhere without any instruments can make me a little more conscious of technique and gives me a chance to correct little things that I may have been sloppy about as I practice back into shape.
The main loss after a few days off is endurance. It's definitely uncomfortable to come back from a vacation and face a full-length rehearsal and concert the next day. Muscle memory doesn't leave so quickly, but muscle strength does.
Karl
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2010-12-28 15:20
But then he'd take the entire summer off (and spend a couple of weeks getting back into gear for the start of the season in September). I remember a TV documentary that showed his end-of-summer practice routine and the supposedly bloody fingertips as he rebuilt the callouses on his left hand.
Karl
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-12-29 09:54
Well, the good news is that you have the unanimous opinion from this board that it's OK to take time off when you feel like it. Now, if you lose the audition to someone who has been practicing 5 hours a day over break and will practice at least 2.5 hours a day when school starts (5 on weekends), you can blame us! 
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2010-12-29 13:59
I think everybody has different needs. I need to practise every single day. This can range from 3 to 7 hours. If I take off lets say 2 days I have to suffer 4 days to get back to the usual sound and durability. (stange thing; I have been playing for 15 years) But I don't mind it I love to play and practise.
I know some clarinettists who has no problem to make a 1 week rest either. No problem with sound or durability. Of course they are naturally born talents.
I know I'm not, but I don't care so much.
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