 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gunnar123
Date: 2018-12-25 16:23
Hello!
Ive played the saxophone for some years, a long time ago. And a little classical piano. Now I've started playing clarinet ive found it so much fun that ive played myself to a right wrist overuse tendon thing, so I'm wondering what can I do during my rest period time too improve my clarinet playing? I play both classical and jazz.
I do of course practice sheet reading and grip memorization.
Should I use my time learning music theory, escpially jazz and classic?
maybe learn circular breathing and such?
Im passionate player, and I have some ambitions, so will any of this make me a better clarinet player? And do you guys have other suggestions?
Thanks very much for tips! and have a merry Christmas
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2018-12-25 17:52
I've had the same experience. I developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist and tenosinovitis in the left. They both responded well to surgery but I had to take a break of around 6 weeks for the left wrist and 10 days for the right. Apart from the annoyance of not being able to play for a while it didn't make a lot of difference to me as a player. It only took a few days to recover finger dexterity, and with the problems fixed I improved more and faster than I would have otherwise.
Tony F.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2018-12-25 21:37
How long a rest period are you expecting to need?
Karl
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Author: monnarush
Date: 2018-12-26 00:56
I hope your better soon.
I also am resting, had a severe arthritis flare over my whole body. I was going to play some Christmas Songs for my Grandchildren today :( . This is the first time for me to have it hit the whole body, will see the Dr. after the holidays. My hands are a mess so I have been gently very gently trying to move them and keep them open ect. I also am reading some material I just bought about the clarinet its a tip book most of the info so far I know but some things I never thought of. I am only about 1/3 of the way through. I will try to keep my brain busy to help keep my mind off the pain.
Happy Holidays to Everyone!
Sincerely, Monna
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Author: Gunnar123
Date: 2018-12-26 08:08
Im not sure about how long I need to rest. But ive only played the clarinet for around one week, and I played around 8 hours a day, so its no suprise I got an overuse injury. Probaly 1-2weeks rest.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2018-12-26 09:49
Common sense would tell that constant repetition of a movement will cause you problems. You are experiencing the strain and inflammation following excessive exercise of undeveloped muscles and overused tendons. You body is telling you to take a rest. Listen to it, it's generally smarter than you are. When the symptoms have eased start playing again, but limit your time to somewhere about an hour a day until your body tells you its ready for more. If the same thing happens again then talk to your GP or a Physical Therapist.
Tony F.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2018-12-26 10:33
When you start again, take frequent breaks and increase your practice time gradually over many weeks if you really aspire to do that much playing, or even a fraction of it. Your body surely sent you many warning signals before you got to this point - be sure to listen better moving forward! Practicing tired and hurt is no way to develop good fundamentals.
In the meantime I would do quite a bit of study about how to practice well. There are a handful of good books and podcasts out there on the subject. I wish I had studied this subject more deeply many years ago, but this is a good time to do it as all the discoveries of sports psychology are now filtering into our much less well-funded music world.
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Author: Gunnar123
Date: 2018-12-26 15:09
Yeah, i do alot of gymnastics, and been practicing handstands for over 10 years, so I tought I could handle it, and that it wasn't so stressful. I couldn't be more wrong hehe. I will contact a physiotherapist if this does not go away after some weeks, or happens again of course.
As im resting, im wondering if u people belive that knowing music theory will make me a better clarinetist?
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2018-12-27 09:04
Music theory will always help.
It could also be a good time to work on rhythmic exercises. Robert Starer's Rhythmic Training book was helpful for me to develop stronger fundamentals and was also something I could do when it was too late in the evening to practice. It's probably not the only one, just the one that I've used.
A lot of musicians I know could stand to improve their rhythm, both in terms of feeling and expressing pulse in their playing and then also their ability to (sight-)read and understand complex rhythms at a glance. You can never be TOO good at it and having a time when you can't play and can't be distracted by all those exciting pitches on the page (and ways to finger them and ways to produce tone and...) might be a good chance to build up probably the most important component of your musicianship. Plus, it will translate to any instrument you want to play or musical scenario you find yourself in.
I should probably pick that book up again...
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