 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Francis P.
Date: 2002-12-02 18:40
The other day, I had to play the Romanza from Poulenc Sonata.
Everything was okay, excellent pianist, lovely auditorium, perfect reed (it happends sometimes), a fine clarinet and that music that I love so much.
I don't know why, somewhere between n°2 et 3, at the end of the long phrase beginning with the second scale, I felt that something happend in my body.
I could not read the score any longer and I felt that I was ready to fall down into unconsciousness...
I don't remember what happend exactly. People told me that I became white as snow and my lips were blue.
Unable to play again, even on a seat, the performance was over for me.
I'm not sure I suffered of lack of glucose or if it is a sort of "vagal" faint.
Now, I am really disappointed and over all, I am afraid to play again in such a situation.
Does anybody else had the same uneasiness and can help me to find again self confidence?
Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-12-02 20:20
Did you not breathe properly??, in accord with the phrasing of your music? Years ago, I had several "near-pass-outs" playing long passages on oboe, not requiring a lot of air, and thereby found out about anoxia, my body's lack of oxygen. IT [O2] is needed to keep mind and body functioning!! Check into your music for "suggested" breath marks, and other opportunities, and practice them! Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-12-02 20:28
"...and I felt that I was ready to fall down into unconsciousness..."
First the obvious questions:
Were you playing on an empty stomach?
Was the room excessively warm?
What you describe is similar to what happens to beginning flute students. Often, with the amount of air they are expending during those early lessons causes them to become "light headed" or slightly dizzy. After a short break, they are fine, and soon learn to play for longer periods of time.
In your practice sessions, rebuild your stamina with slow etudes - attempting to play for longer durations...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-12-02 21:30
Francis -
Everyone goes through stage fright, and it can hit without warning. Quite a few years ago, a player (of the concertina, as it happens) hired what was then known as Carnegie Recital Hall for his debut. He walked out, played three bars and fainted dead away. The New York Times reviewer was disappointed but kind.
I've found it helpful to focus on a particular person and think of myself as playing for his or her benefit alone. You can also imagine that all the judges are sitting on the toilet.
There are relaxation methods, and a book I've recommeded a couple of times recently, A Soprano on Her Head, by Ristad, gives wonderful advice. In the end, the solution is more and more public performance. You never lose your awareness of the stress, but you learn to turn it to extra communicativeness with the audience.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-12-02 21:56
I do not pretend to be a medical doctor by any means, but it sounds like you were suffering from hyperventilation--taking in too much air too soon. It can cause dizzieness, which can bring on a feeling of "panic", like your about to pass out. Beginning flutists experiance this quite regularily as they start to play. Usually, they learn to breath and use air more efficiently so hyperventilation does not occure--however, it also sounds like you are an experianced clarinetist, and that this sensation is something "new." Try playing again, but if the same feelings reoccure, my advice is to see your physician, ASAP!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-12-02 22:59
I really like putting judges on toilets...HA!
Seriously, this has happened to many of us. So, do build stamina, eat lightly, but DO eat before performing, dress lightly if you will be on a hot, lit stage, and all of what has been said. Do drink enough water, as well. If I am dehydrated, I tend to feel faint.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-12-03 04:06
Should this recurr and especially under other circumstances, definitely see a Dr.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2002-12-03 05:24
The blue lips is a clue that you had an extreemly low oxygen level either from not breathing enough or maybe locking your knees, thus lowering the blood flow to the head. I've seen this many times in the military where we had to stand at attention for long periods while some sort of ceremony of long speach was going on. Some of the men would get tired and lock the knees, then plop! As a paramedic, we had to look for blue lips or finger nails indicating low oxygen or reddish purple lips and nails indicating carbon monoxide poisoning. Both can cause dizziness and fainting depending on the situation. I would still recommend going to the Doc as there could be other factors involved also.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Francis P.
Date: 2002-12-03 19:10
Thanks to you all.
If someone wants to tell something more, I think it is necessary to precise that:
I had a light lunch 3 1/2 hours ago
I was not frightened at all because the context was not very serious, and also because it was my second appearance in the performance and even more, I know very well that score
The second before I felt that something was suddenly going wrong, everything was quite perfect, with the feeling that I could give there a very good Romanza...
It was so sudden.
By the way, Gary, Willie and others, please explain what are locked knees...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2002-12-04 00:16
Locking your knees is when you bring them back as far as you can as if you are standing at ridgid attention. This is OK for a couple minutes, but it can interfere with blood flow, causing you to get dizzy and black out. Its best to keep the knees relaxed and very slightly bent if you have to stand for a long period. Some folks can lock their knees back and have no problems. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
