Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Previous Message  |  Next Message 
 Re: Relaxing while playing
Author: RKing 
Date:   2017-04-12 19:00

I don't play with a double lip, but agree with every technique Karl suggests above. I had a similar experience when I came back to clarinet after many years on the sax. I was tense and my whole body was rigid as I tried to hold the instrument, find the little finger holes, and make beautiful music.

The main problem was my diaphragm. It was almost too tight to breathe and I would simply blow through breath marks until I gasped for air. Kind of killed the mood of the music. <LOL> It also prompted me to bite the reed and do many other bad things.

My solution was to consciously tell myself to RELAX and I still do it today. I have a nice ergonomic chair in my practice studio and the first thing I learned to do was to lean back and slouch in that chair like a bored teenager while I ran my scales every day. Playing like this keeps me relaxed at home and now I rarely have to think about it at rehearsal or performance.

Other things to consider -- I use a neck strap and that takes some of the strain of my right hand, wrist, and arm. I put the clarinet down in my lap and wiggle my arms and hands between numbers. Anything you can do to release tension will show up in a smoother performance, but it will have to be a conscious effort at first.



 Reply To Message  |  Avail. Forums  |  Flat View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 

 Topics Author  Date
 Relaxing while playing  new
jonathan.wallaceadams 2017-04-11 20:22 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
ruben 2017-04-11 20:29 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
kdk 2017-04-11 23:01 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
Liquorice 2017-04-12 01:44 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
thereallukasj 2017-04-12 10:10 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
Philip Caron 2017-04-12 18:15 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
BrianLundberg 2017-04-12 18:46 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
RKing 2017-04-12 19:00 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
kdk 2017-04-12 20:17 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
kdk 2017-04-12 20:24 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
Ralph Katz 2017-04-12 21:25 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
seabreeze 2017-04-13 01:44 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
Philip Caron 2017-04-13 04:16 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
kdk 2017-04-13 06:56 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
D Dow 2017-04-13 20:25 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
kdk 2017-04-14 02:46 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
sfalexi 2017-04-14 05:54 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
sarawashere 2017-04-14 07:54 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
D Dow 2017-04-15 20:24 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
D Dow 2017-04-15 20:26 
 Re: Relaxing while playing  new
Bob Bernardo 2017-04-15 21:39 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org