The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-02-11 00:49
I have a major problem! I have a day off school, and was planning to set the entire day aside to practice for all state, which is less then a week away. Unfortunately, I found out a few days ago that I have to get teeth drilled and filled on my day off, so not only will my mouth be completely numb the entire day I was planning to practice, but my mouth may still be sore on the day of our auditions! I have set this appt off for a while, and my mom, who does nothing musical and doesn't really understand at all, won't let me put it off any longer. Is there any way to speed up recovery? And, how should I practice while I can't play?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-11 01:26
I think I'd be changing the date of the dental appointment!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-02-11 02:45
I've posted about mental rehearsals a few times, but my best advice for this is as follows... I wouldn't exactly recommend going through with the dental appointment. I know how hard they are to reschedule, but unless All-State auditions can be rescheduled instead... (Fat chance, if it's anything like the All-State program here in TN)
I would try sitting down, talking with your mom, and to just explain everything that a musician has to go though. (Okay, not everything, just the bit about the stress drilling teeth can cause to playing.) Perhaps she'll understand. Have her say her side of the story, perhaps - I don't know how - a compromise can be reached.
If all else fails, hey... Like I said, I've posted about my thoughts on mental rehearsal a few times. It shouldn't be too hard to find something recent.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken
Date: 2002-02-11 12:16
Perhaps your band director could write a note or call your mom and go to bat for you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-02-11 15:12
If you can stand a little dental pain--go without any pain killer. The recovery time is a lot less.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-02-11 16:13
Despite every argument I could come up with, my mom refused to change the date and we went through with it. But, the dentist says everything should be back to normal by tomorrow, but I am doing lots of mental practice today. I am also using the piano to help me memorize my music. Thanks for all the advice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-02-11 21:13
Cindy -
Most dental anesthesia wears off after a couple of hours. I wouldn't worry about it. You could also ask the dentist whether he or she uses nitrous oxide, which wears off even quicker (though I got a hangover when my dentist used it).
On the practicing thing, it's not a great idea to practice for a whole day. You'll feel like a horse kicked you in the mouth the next day and the following one. You'll have that experience at Allstate anyway. A couple of hours of concentrated practice on scales, scales in thirds and arpeggios, with the most beautiful songs you know shuffled in, will do more than a day of just playing. Athletes taper off their practice before the big event. Spend the rest of the time visualizing playing smoothly, under control and perfectly.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|