 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2012-12-04 13:31
A very general question I know. However even when I feel I'm playing badly, my colleagues always say I sound good as I usually do. And I say the same when they feel they're playing badly, because they ARE playing well. What I'm slowly learning is that even when you don't feel good about your playing, you need to just soldier on because chances are, it's nowhere near as horrible as you think.
How often do you feel bad about your playing, or good? What do you notice about the situation you're in when it happens? How do you react?
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-12-04 14:11
It's prbably different with everyone. It depends on the standards you set for your self. I'm usually happy with my playing but rearly am I totally satisfied. I did learn a long time ago though that I'm never perfect, at least not to my standard, but have learned to accept it and be happy when I play well. Set your own standard and live up to that no matter what others say, just don't set that standard so high that it not obtainable and makes you depressed when you can't reach that all the time, few of us can.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2012-12-04 14:31
I can share that there were many years for me that I felt frustrated. I felt like I knew I could do better than I did when performing and playing for others (i.e. lessons). For me, personally, there was a revelation when I studied with Dr. Jane Carl at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. After a few frustrating lessons and rehearsals for a recital, she asked me if I would consider going over to the psych school to be interviewed for ADD. I was frustrated (literally to tears) and decided to give it a go. Turns out, I have ADD and have had all my life (not ADHD though). Upon sharing this revelation with my old professor, Dr. Johnston, he shared that he always thought there was something holding me back. I was more talented than my final product ever suggested.
In any case, I have learned to go easier on myself and learned new coping strategies. I do not medicate but have learned to be more appreciative of what I can do and achieve. Moving in that direction has allowed me to move forward, interestingly enough.
So your question is important and one I think many should consider and ponder for themselves.
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-12-04 17:10
It took a long time for me to "accept" where I'm at. But after much thought and internal debates with myself, I've come to the realization that it's ok to strive to be better and strive for perfection. But I have to accept where I'm at and be "ok" with my playing.
It's sort of a conflict of thinking. If I accept and am happy with where I'm at, will I lose the motivation to strive to get better? If I'm constantly striving to get better, will I ever be happy with where I'm at at the moment?
I created a compromise. I strive to get better, but every now and then I take time to reflect on how I've improved over the past few years. So I view my playing as a "line". If the line is going up, I'm happy. I understand it can rise more, but I also see where it's risen from.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-12-04 21:59
Unhappiness with your playing could be a sign that your ears are ready for the next step in your musical development. The ability to reach that next level comes with practice. A trend I have noticed in my own musical development seems to be something like this:
1. Awareness that there is a certain aspect of my playing that can get better. (usually an unhappy feeling)
2. Practice to change and better that aspect (can be very up and down emotionally, depending on how hard it is to change and how successful the change is)
3. Full understanding and control over the new skill (a very happy feeling)
Unfortunately, as an artist and in many aspects in life, once you solve one problem two or three more pop up, so it will be a continuous cycle of highs and lows. The highs are nice, but I try not to let them get too high, as I am ambitious and know I have a lot of work to do. The lows, if are too low, I take a break. Eat a healthy meal. Take a walk and get some fresh air to reset my mind. This usually settles my nerves a bit until I can get back to work.
I hope that helps in some way.
Drew S.
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Author: reed and MP dude
Date: 2012-12-04 23:14
Well you being in the Royal Air Force, it's not a whole lot different then sitting in a symphony. When it's cold your fingers mess up. When it's way too hot often the reeds kind of dye and it's hard to keep your mouth in place.
For me music is like golf. With golf you can always do better even when you just played your best.
Funny story - This trumpet player was hired to pretty much play just one very high note. The orchestra musicians, the trumpet players, couldn't do it consistantly. Well during the concert the time came for him to hit the note and he missed it.
I surely don't thing we can master music and some days we play well other days we should have gone fishing or something.
A and Bb r13's new.
Bb r13 1963 backup
Vandoren 56
Ciaccia custom mouthpiece
1.07mm facing amazing mouthpiece
2 Kaspers as spares
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Author: alto gether
Date: 2012-12-05 05:08
I'm not a serious clarinetist, but one year I put in a good solid mandolin practice every day. At the end of that year I sounded exactly the same to myself, but I could see a lot more room for improvement in the playing of my idols.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-12-05 05:17
I've got no problem with my tone which is pretty much the sound I have in mind, but I'm definitely not happy that my fingers aren't as nimble as they ought to be. Same with all instruments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2012-12-05 20:58
If I'm feeling bad more than I'm feeling good, I walk away. Given that you're supposedly doing this because you want to (it sure as hell ain't gonna pay the bills), why do so many people insist on doing something that makes them feel bad voluntarily?
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-12-06 04:43
I'm never, ever completely happy with my playing. I work very hard and concentrate completely on what I need to improve upon. I have improved considerably in 3 years, but at a price. Concentrating on only mistakes isn't healthy. I go into episodes of depression because I get so hung up on everything I do wrong.
Don't be like me.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: rob4
Date: 2012-12-06 19:17
The most depressing thing in the world is recording myself playing! Never sounds quite like i thought it was sounding :-)
As my teacher says, its all about chasing the horizon...
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2012-12-06 22:29
Interesting topic. I met my standards 3 times in my life. Considering the fact I'm 24 I think I'm lucky.
Mark
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Author: FDF
Date: 2012-12-06 22:44
Why would we keep practicing if we think we're as good as we'd like to be? Just to keep it up?
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2012-12-07 12:40
I don't think I've ever felt satisfied with my playing on any instrument. That's why I still practice, in my 60s. I do sometimes feel satisfied with *progress* I'm making, but being satisfied with the result would mean moving on to something else. "Satisfied" is a euphemism for "bored."
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-12-07 13:43
> "Satisfied" is a euphemism for "bored."
Yes. If travelling is your passion, "arriving" is the end of it.
If ever you think you're "there", record yourself.
Two days ago I recorded the band's rehearsal. When you sit in your section you only hear the folks around you, plus the piccolo. But you often fail to be in sync (tone and tempo wise) with the sections across the room, and a recording will mercilessly reveal these shortcomings. Anyhow, it was a cold shower for most of us to hear ourselves from the outside.
--
Ben
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-12-07 14:19
I am an amateur player but I think I strive for very high standards. However because I don't have to play for a living , I allow myself a good day alternating with a bad day. Since I have adopted this frame of mind my playing is really coming on and I have a lot more good days than bad days.
I do also try to see the positives even if I have a bad day: For example some days my altissimo may not be as good as it was the day before but my tonguing might actually be better. I also make allowances for circumstances such as if I have started off playing the Artie Shaw and have got the altissimo C at the end, I don't keep repeating it as my lip or my reed will give out if I keep at it for too long. I don't neccesarily have to stop practicing as I can just play something that makes different demands such as practice the legato in the Schumann. There is such a thing as practicing for too long and things can then go on a downward spiral so sometimes a break is necessary. ;-)
Post Edited (2012-12-07 14:21)
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Author: RachelB4
Date: 2012-12-08 16:51
Never ever satisfied with my playing, especially when I listen to a recording of myself. I always try to do my best, but then I realize I could have played it better. I always have high expectations and never will be completely satisfied until I get there. Doesn't mean I'm miserable when I play. I can enjoy and be happy with the good things done. but overall there is always something that can be done better. and I know it. You don't get better unless you want to get better.
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