 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-10-17 19:53
I just got the chance to read the whole thread that Morrigan started with respect to why we all play the clarinet.
At the end, she posted, asking if any pros had quit and then come back to the instrument.
While I've never been a "pro" in the sense of having a big, paid orchestra gig, I did take a three-year break after finishing my Master's in Clarinet Performance. While working on the Master's (a one-year program), it became clear to me that I didn't want a big orchestra gig. Nor did I want a small orchestra gig. I was frustrated with the concept of having to play the music the way the conductor would want it played, and with the idea that there was a standard way to play orchestral excerpts in order even to obtain the position.
Frankly, I was also miserable with the climate produced by many of the other clarinetists there. At the time, they were very very competitive in a rather unfriendly manner. At my undergrad school, everyone was musically competitive, but also very supportive of each other. This had been probably the greatest shock to me. I was certainly not the best clarinetist there, but almost all of the other clarinetists treated me as if I could "steal" something from them or somehow damage their chances at a gig post-school.
I figured, "why put myself through 8 hours a day of practice to get a job working with people like that, and playing music I don't like..." (BTW, I HATE Tchaikovsky...but that's another topic...lol). So I made the decision to pursue an M.A. in historical musicology. Well, long story short, I realized that wasn't the field for me either.
After 3 years I knew I needed to play clarinet again. Something inside me knew I wasn't ready to play classical again, due to the perfectionism I possess. I found ethnic folk music back in 1994, and recently have decided to work on classical stuff again. The only thing missing is time to learn jazz!
So, Morrigan, sometimes a break can help, but only if your circumstances warrant it. You'll know when the time is right. :^)
Katrina
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-10-17 20:44
I'm a "pro", and I take off 4 weeks every year. I find it really helps me to relax and take my mind off things. After my holidays it takes me a few weeks to get back into things, but I enjoy playing much more after a break like that. I also don't find that it has any negative effects on my playing- in fact sometimes I even suddenly solve things that I had been struggling with before the holiday!
Basically I recommend taking time away from the clarinet sometimes. Morrigan- if you are starting to feel like you need a break, then you definitely do. You'll be dying to play the clarinet after a proper holiday!
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-10-18 12:47
Yes, I took a year off in the early 90s just to get back to reality after studies and maybe coming down from all the intense work. I also went off and worked a day job and outside of music....finally a buddy persuaded me to go back into music.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-10-18 23:30
Ooopppssss...sorry, Morrigan...I'm usually pretty on top of stuff...guess I missed the boat!
Katrina
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