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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.

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Relaxing while playing new

jonathan.wallaceadams

2017-04-11 20:22