 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: raianne
Date: 2001-09-21 18:05
how long does it take to get back into playing shape? ive picked up teh notes and music pretty quick, but im afraid my lungs and fingers arent as fast as they used to be. how long will it take to play as fast and be as winded as i once was?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-21 19:48
Hello, Raianne.
I have read that experts agree that much of what we (returning clarinet players) used to know & do comes back in about 6 months. I have asked what "much" means, & have been told 75-90%.
That said, I can tell you that I started taking lessons and it has been over 3 years. I have re-learned some things. This time around I have taken lessons from Symphony Musicians-College Professors & find that I wasn't taught to do things the right way, necessarily, thye first go-round.
The first time I learned Clarinet I was FAST, now I am not as fast but SMART-er at how to do things. I don't "slide" unless I absolutely have to. I even play scales that don't have BUMPS. I have leaned to play in the Altissimo. I am a better counter & sub-divider (I can actually sightread some music!). I have learned how to practice. I have lear4ned about BAD and GOOD PRACTICE. I know how to tune & listen for problems in my & others sounds. AND. much much more.
All in all, I am having a lot more FUN on this 2nd "go-round".
Darn it --- there is a sure a lot to these "things Clarinet".
best,
mw
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-09-21 21:26
How good was you once ? :]
Well, seriously, Raianne... from personal experience my opinion is that it'll take you about three to six months if you go at it, as Mark says, Smarter. Your fingering will return a lot faster than your chops. So, if you take the route back in moderation you'll be just fine. The idea is to play for short periods so that your embouchure builds up gradually. You don't want to strain those muscles. You may do only five minutes, or less, the first few days or weeks, depending on how you feel. That's fine. Your breath and fingers will catch up as your endurance improves. You'll know when you can increase your practice time. Just don't over do it. I can almost guarantee that within six months you'll be playing beyond where you were, and having as much fun, if not more fun, than when you decided to take a 'vacation'. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Check back often. There are lots of us 're-treads' here who benefit from posts like yours. We're all here to encourage one another.
It's nice to make your acquaintance, Raianne, and... Welcome Back ! 
- ron b -
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Author: raianne
Date: 2001-09-21 23:09
well, me once was a third year student who had to quit because of reasons beyond my control, not by choice. i played fairly well. i could easily play anything the band teacher put in front of me. course, he knew our limitations, but id say i could play as well or better than most of the other clarinetists...ive been playing at least an hour a day for at least a week. my chops arent doing bad so far, but i used to play hard. our band teacher went easy on us the first year, but the second and third years he would make us play until our jaws hurt and we could hardly talk. while that seems excessive, it worked. will see how it goes but im hoping six months wont be the ength of time it takes me. im impatient. does anyone know of any sites that have definitions for all the technical stuff? all the little signs and words that are french and italian or whatever? that would be a help. thanks. raianne
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-09-22 06:22
I found that blowing long low notes helped me build my chops back up again. However don't over do it to the point your chops hurt and you have to stop for a day or two. This just sets you back and gets you frustrated. Welcome back and enjoy. Listening to music is fun, but making music is far more enjoyable.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-09-22 11:57
Generally exercise (like walking or jogging) is also good to build up your lung capacity.
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Author: raianne
Date: 2001-09-22 21:30
thanks for the link. thats exactly the kind of thing i was looking for. thanks for the info everyone. raianne
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