 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Jenna
Date: 2004-05-15 18:26
Hi
I play the flute and I recently found out that I have to play a solo in our concert. Every time I play the solo in class, I run out of breath or crack a high note(because my lips become really dry). I know that if I remain calm during the concert, I'll do ok on the solo but the problem is, I get VERY nervous during concerts, and I shake and my lips become dry. And since this is my first solo in a concert, I'm extra nervous.
I just wanted to know if anyone has any good suggestions for controlling nerves while playing and dry lips. I know it's a hard question but I'm sure we all get nervous. Please help!!!!
Thanks
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Author: D
Date: 2004-05-15 21:43
all i can offer is ask your director to warm up your solo in the concert room before u play it for real. also drink water, it actually calms u down. also go over and over the solo part at home
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Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2004-05-16 03:11
what also helps you not be so nervous is to memorize your solo. Then when your concert you know it for sure (even though you do have the music infront of you, it helps you know that you KNOW your solo). good luck!
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Author: Jenna
Date: 2004-05-16 07:00
Thanks a lot for your help!!! =)
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2004-05-17 21:30
Hey I know how you feel... Just tell your self to stay calm, lick your lips before your solo part comes up and during any rests.
I say I know how you feel because my lips used to dry out in the winter or when I would get a cold. I aslo have chronic bronchitis and asthma so I run out of breath frequently...
Good luck on your solo hope you do REAL well, post a message after your solo and tell us how it went!
Much Luck to Ya chickade,
Amanda
Florida
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Author: Marielle
Date: 2004-05-20 19:09
Not running out of breath can be very hard. Keep practicing the piece. Go through and mark places to breathe if suitable places aren't already marked. When you're practicing at home, a good exercise to help with being able to go longer without breathing is sitting there, getting the biggest possible amount of air you can get, and playing the longest note you can, while trying to use as little air as possible. Do this over and over again. Try it laying on your back. It sounds odd, but it helps. You should do this to warm up before the concert also so you'll have better air capacity and not run out. Always be careful to get a good start on notes also, not tonguing them correctly can waste a lot of good air right at the beginning. Watch your embouchure and try to keep your air from escaping at the sides and missing the embouchure hole completely. Good luck with your breathing
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Author: Jenna
Date: 2004-05-21 01:33
Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice!!!
My solo is over and your advice helped me A LOT!
The solo was actually pretty good. I told myself to stay calm and drank LOTS of water. And so it sounded pretty good!!!
Once again, thanks for your help!!!
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Author: casey
Date: 2005-02-01 15:28
its okay. i know how you feel. i have the same exact problem. what you shold try is act like you are at home practicing. act like the croud is a big screen TV or a really big motion poster. breath deeply. practice drawing in long breath. each time try to get alot of air, really fast. playing the flute is kind of hard. practice for two hours, every day. if it wasn't for the practicing i do, i wouldn'd be first chair!
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Author: casey
Date: 2005-02-01 15:31
its okay. i know how you feel. i have the same exact problem. what you shold try is act like you are at home practicing. act like the croud is a big screen TV or a really big motion poster. breath deeply. practice drawing in long breath. each time try to get alot of air, really fast. playing the flute is kind of hard. practice for two hours, every day. if it wasn't for the practicing i do, i wouldn'd be first chair!
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