 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: escher
Date: 2011-09-27 02:20
Attachment: e11-1.jpg (566k)
Attachment: e11-2.jpg (538k)
Attachment: e11-4.jpg (590k)
Attachment: e11-6.jpg (481k)
Good day all - it has been quite a while since I visited the board. Please bear with the long post - I included pics to keep your interest!
Back in 2003, I had attempted to get back into playing and had purchased an E&S on ebay which generated some discussion...
Long story short - I polished and refurbed that instrument to a point, but didn't see the point in doing the repad and cork work to it since it was more of a curiosity than a serious player for me. I did spend more than a few hours playing it and found that it was very difficult to get into any range that required the register key... I wasn't sure if it was simply due to poor seals, or just the general design of the clarinet.
Fast forward to a few days ago.. I was playing an old LP of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with Jost Michaels which I found in a used LP shop. Amazing, perfect condition and just a beautiful rendition... but I digress...
It inspired me to get the E&S out and attempt the adagio section, which, after a few tries, I could muddle my way through bits of it... but the old struggle with the register was too much to bear.
So, after some discussion with the wife, I decided to give it the old college try... after some financial tomfoolery and reorganization I came up with enough funds to purchase a used Buffet E11 from a charming young lady about 30 miles from my home. The instrument is in impeccable condition, and I have included the obligatory pictures. Please excuse the 70's paneling in the first pic.. Serial number is 710XXX
Again - I attempted the adagio section of the concerto, and the difference is night and day... the upper register is effortless compared to the E&S I had previously used.
So, here is the question I wanted to ask years ago but didn't stick around long enough to ask.
What would you recommend as a practice routine for getting ones embouchure back into shape? I can currently only play for about 10-15 minutes before I simply can't even keep a tone and my cheeks are on fire.
I have the typical background - I played from 4th to 11th grade, and then only intermittently if at all in college. I currently have the Rubank intermediate book.
I can devote about an hour to practice per day at this point (we have a 2 year old boy and a 1 year old girl), and I play after the kids are in bed. I just want to focus on the right areas to get technique into proper shape. I also am working on some bad habits I developed in High School, i.e. never using the left hand pinky, only the right for the lower joint key clusters. Finally, I am also considering some private lessons to get the proper guidance as I re-establish a practice schedule.
Thanks in advance for all your input and assistance - I have waited a long time to *really* get back into the clarinet - I have always had a deep love of the instrument, but never was ready to commit to deep study until now.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-09-27 02:40
There are numerous threads in the archives about good practice routines.
Do a search. Type in "Practice" (without the parentheses), and you should see a bunch (I did, and I got at least 10 pages full of threads). Not all will apply to you, but you can skim them and I'll bet you can learn a lot.
CarlT
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: escher
Date: 2011-09-27 03:00
Ok.. you got me... Of course I could do that... but wheres the fun in that?
You have to know I just wanted a reason to show off the new horn!
Point taken though - I've been the "do a search guy" on many other forums - so I should practice what I preach.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-09-27 03:01
You said the magic words when you said "private lessons". Do it! find someone who is either a really good clarinet teacher, or a really good musician who knows enough about the clarinet to help you improve.
That will take you further than any advice you'll find in cyberspace.
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-09-27 03:06
And don't fret about your embouchure lasting only 10 to 15 minutes. It'll build back up. Just like ANY muscles in your body, exercising them will help build their endurance and strength. 10 to 15 minutes now, 20 - 30 minutes later, and eventually your entire practice session. A search on practice and "long tones" will guide you to getting those muscles back in shape.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: escher
Date: 2011-09-27 03:15
Susan:
I agree - During my clarinet hiatus I spent 2 years taking private guitar lessons and it was the best time/money I have ever spent in my music career.
Alexi: Good point on long tones - I do remember that building my endurance back in my Highschool days...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: escher
Date: 2011-09-28 17:10
Thanks - Its fun to take pictures of beautiful subjects... since my wife is camera shy, the E11 will have to do...
I contacted a local instructor today and signed up for lessons starting Monday!
I also will be getting my E&S repadded and corked, found a good price in Flint. I narrowed it doesn't to the lower joint as why I was having so much trouble getting into the upper register.... I really want to see that old beauty become playable...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
