 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TheClarinetKid
Date: 2017-06-28 05:37
Okay, I am playing Stanford Three Intermezzi, Finzi Prelude, Romance and Fughetta and finally Schumann, Fantasy Pieces for Clarinet.
I am playing in the listed order from Stanford --> Finzi --> Schumann.
For Stanford, Finzi and the two piece of the Schumann, I play fine with no difficulty at all.
BUT
When I start the third piece by Schumann which is the last of my diploma recital, half way through my ears starts to ring throughout my head with the throat leaking noises, my throat feels tensed up, I hear leaking throat noises, my head is full of the leaking noise and my nasal passage feels blocked up.
FUNNY THING:
BUT I don't feel tired at all. I feel like that I can play for several more hours but my throat isn't helping me.
I always stop halfway of this third piece. If I do, I will fail my entire recital examination, which I do not wish it to happen because I worked so hard for the recital.
Is there any last minute advice?
It sounds like my condition is VPI (VELOPHARYNGEAL INSUFFICIENCY).......
Help..
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-06-28 06:58
They certainly sound like VPI symptoms. We recently had another thread about this and in it someone posted a link to fairly lengthy article about how to deal with it. Maybe someone else will locate the link and repost it.
It isn't necessarily a manifestation of general fatigue. The muscles get tired that control the pharynx, which controls the flow of air through the mouth, nose or both (for some vocal sounds). Among things to think about are reed strength, excessive tension in the pharyngeal area, or long practice sessions, especially with very resistant reeds, under the pressure of the upcoming jury. The trouble is you can't really feel much of what's happening in that area.
My suggestions are:
(1) to take frequent breaks during practice sessions to let all of your muscles recover. In a recital, you'd have short breaks between movements (the clarinet can always do with being swabbed once or twice) and slightly longer ones between entire pieces. Are you taking these breaks during your practicing? I find that a sip of water between movements and between pieces can help.
(2) Consider carefully whether or not your reeds are the best strength for the kind of music you're playing. You don't need to cut through an entire orchestra - you don't need the same body and intensity of sound for chamber works with piano that you may want for playing Strauss tone poems.
(3) You may want to have a consult with a doctor - your family GP or even an ENT specialist just to make sure something more isn't going on. It isn't likely that there's a physical problem interfering with sealing off the nose when you want the air to go through your mouth to the reed, but considering the stakes it may be worth checking. I do find that I have more of a problem with this myself during allergy seasons when my post-nasal drip is running at high volume.
Speech therapists deal with and write about this because it can cause speech difficulties. Unfortunately, I haven't ever had the feeling that there's a very good understanding of it as it relates to wind instrument playing.
Karl
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Author: TheClarinetKid
Date: 2017-06-28 08:27
Thats really helpful thank you.
Yes, I do swab once during each work. I think I should take my time a little more with water.
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Buffet Crampon E11 Clarinet (French Buffet)
Buffet Crampon 'Vintage' R13 Clarinet
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Author: Zain
Date: 2017-06-28 09:21
http://www.dansr.com/vandoren/resources/eliminating-the-soft-palatal-air-leak-velopharyngeal-insufficiency-vpi
I believe this article addresses your problems.
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Author: TheClarinetKid
Date: 2017-06-30 02:17
Had a rehearsal last night, I went through my diploma recital rehearsal in a breeze with Karl's tips.
I occasionally breathed through my noses to avoid blockage and took time between pieces. Also took a special break before the third Schumann.
Definitely, looking forward to today's recital exam.
Thank you Karl.
------------------------------------ Signature--------------------------------------------
Buffet Crampon E11 Clarinet (French Buffet)
Buffet Crampon 'Vintage' R13 Clarinet
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