The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-16 04:24
Just curious to see if anyone else does this.
I'll often take the two main parts of a clarinet and practice difficult fingering passages while sitting up in bed after hubby's gone to sleep or on the couch while the family's watching TV. I don't play during these times. I just practice the fingerings over and over, to help create motor memory.
Does anyone else "silent practice" at times?
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2012-01-16 06:24
I find practice without the air to be very helpful. My teacher often encourages it. I have played through Premiere Rhapsodie and the like without playing, just fingering along.
This sort of practice allows for concentration of technique of position without the distraction of air support. Very helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do this often.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-01-16 10:58
Oh yes! and I recall reading long ago of some Pro (non clarinet) player doing this even without the instrument in hand.
Bob Draznik
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-01-16 12:54
I've done this from time to time, though not regularly.
Baermann endorses "silent" practice in Division 2 of his Complete Method--especially for early on when a player can get easy embouchure fatigue.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-01-16 13:45
I often run scales and scales in thirds while I'm in a line. I do the same when I have trouble getting to sleep. It concentrates my mind on a simple and slightly boring task, and I drop off in a couple of minutes. I go around the circle of fifths and rarely get past C minor or Ab.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-16 13:48
It's good to know I'm not as crazy as I suspected! I do find this technique beneficial, as I said, to help with motor memory...and not to drive family and neighbors insane late at night.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2012-01-16 15:04
I read that John Coltrane attached bottle tops to a broom handle, making a device for silent practicing.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-01-16 15:32
Yes, but for me, it is more fun to blow at the same time.
My teacher uses "silent practice" during rehearsals in cases like where the conductor is beating up on another section or when he wants to "save his lip."
Bob Phillips
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Author: Jon Shurlock
Date: 2012-01-16 15:40
I am attempting Grade 5 in a couple months, never having done exams before. Learning all the scales was a bit of a shock (although very productive). Because I don't have enough time in the day I practise scalic fingering while I walk to work. I try not to look too weird as I quietly hum them to myself and move my fingers through the notes
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-16 17:52
(I have been known to silent practice on pencils.)
I think silent practicing is a very effective use of rehearsal time if the conductor is working with another section of an ensemble. I do that all the time.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-01-16 21:59
I have done this from time to time. Once I had a difficult Eb part to learn in a short time when I also had to leave town, so I practiced soundlessly in the hotel room. I was pretty amazed how well I learned the part when I was able to actually blow.
Right now I am silently practicing because I cough every time I blow...but I still have those parts to learn.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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