 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetist06
Date: 2005-06-05 17:50
I seem to have lost my motivation. I hate the clarinet and I hate practicing---music no longer seems to evoke an emotional response in me, and this is frustrating and frightening. I am very dedicated---I go to a boarding high school for the arts and I want to play clarinet professionally, but right now I associate the instrument only with competition and anger. Every time I play I hate the way I sound and the elements of my playing which are inferior and which I cannot seem to improve. Specifically, my tone is atrocious regardless of the countless hours of long tones I do in an effort to improve it. I know that while my playing has its strong points, it is sadly inferior to the playing of my colleagues, especially at my school, and while I want more than anything else to pursue a professional career as I clarinetist, my inability to improve my playing seems to show that this would be impossible. I do not want to give up but I do not know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-06-05 18:00
Here's a random lists of ideas for you to try:
1) Get a private teacher if you don't have one but are able to
2) Play duets with your colleagues so you have to "keep up"
3) Read online/magazine articles or books about clarinet playing as much as possible. I believe this has made me better possibly moreso than practicing. At least it has made me much more knowledgable.
4) Listen to music you love. Even if it's not clarinet music, listen to something which literally sends chills down your spine. That's what music really is; that's the response you want to elicit from your audience whether your audience is a panel of judges, a concert hall, a small classroom, a church sanctuary, or even yourself.
5) Your weaknesses have the potential to become your strengths. And the bigger the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it!
Hopefully I've offered some words of encouragement. Remember that everyone (well, probably MOST people) here are on your side and are here to support you. Good luck!
-Tyler
Post Edited (2005-06-05 18:01)
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-06-05 18:42
Take a break. A few weeks off can do wonders for someone that is burned out. Yes, you'll have to get your chops back up, but you're less likely to end up hating the instrument.
Other than that, here's how I personally think I've avoided ever getting pissed off at the clarinet again, in a few major points:
1. I've had an excellent teacher (not even my lesson teacher) who has given me things to work on that take a lifetime or longer to fully master, things more entertaining than Baermann. It would take months to explain, but in a nutshell, here it is: Music is always moving from downbeat to downbeat, phrase to phrase, etc. If you ever stop being personally and actively involved in that motion, so will stop the music. Every facet of playing the instrument is involved in this.
2. I've recently discovered that music can be treated as a true adventure, the type of which is so rare in today's world. In an ensemble, the conductor is trying to take you somewhere, if only you'll go along. Watch the conductor, and pay attention to and give feedback to the other players.
3. This works very well for me, but may not work so well for others: find a niche. It is very easy to feel inferior to colleagues if you set yourself on the path of "career as an orchestral clarinetist." There are LOTS of really good people who want that, and very precise requirements for it. You can very easily tell if you are or aren't on the way to it. An obsession with absolute accuracy is often overemphasized. The same music is always played, and, without having even seen the music, there is a certain way you are absolutely expected to play it, because it's been played that way for decades, if not centuries.
This quite disturbs me, and I want no part in it. So I've decided to go the route of contemporary composer-clarinetist. My goal is to start or join an oddball new music ensemble, one that plays music the other ensembles won't touch because it isn't "serious" enough. Granted, it's quite likely that I won't be able to support myself with this. And that's OK. There's hardly a chance I'd support myself as a pro orchestral clarinetist either. However, when, ten years from now, you hear a pick-up orchestra playing Johann Strauss waltzes in 2/4 with a bass drum, as an encore to a piece based on the absurdity of award ceremonies, the clarinetist will be grinning.
For the moment, I seek out pieces that aren't played and give them some attention. Something that people haven't heard 30 times in the past couple months <cough>Concertino</cough> at least gets novelty points.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-06-05 19:00
It sounds to me like you may be going thorough what I like to call a "plateau period." How many of these symptoms are you feeling?
1. Reeds don't feel quite right.
2. You don't like (can't stand) your sound.
3. You feel as though your playing has become "sloppy." Your fingers are all thumbs.
4. Practicing makes you feel anxious/annoyed/restless/impatient.
5. Faced with a challenging work, you feel like you just can't get it. Faced with a work you think you should be able to sight-read, you feel like you aren't playing it as well and cleanly as you should be able to.
The first few times this happened to me, I was really worried. Now that I have learned to recognize it for what it is, on the rare occasions I experience it, I actually rejoice. I think it may be a fairly common phenomenon among musicians and the good news is that, if this is what's happening to you, you are on the verge of jumping to a new level. BTW, it's OK to take a couple of days off but don't be discouraged. Keep plugging and one day -- it may take a week or two, it may take a month or more -- out of the blue, you'll realize that you can suddenly do things with the clarinet that you couldn't before.
Based on my own experience, I've come to believe that, at least for some of us, improvement is not a steady incline but rather a series of progressive steps and the onset of a "plateau period" signals that a jump to the next level is about to occur. I've not seen it discussed widely on this board but I have seen it mentioned occasionally by a few other members. It may not be universal but I think it may be a fairly common psychological phenomenon. Hang in there.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2005-06-05 19:01)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2005-06-05 19:02
"Specifically, my tone is atrocious regardless of the countless hours of long tones I do in an effort to improve it."
Now, I'm not going to tell you how to improve your tone. Mine may be worse than yours for all I know. What I will say is that countless hours of practising won't do any good unless you know what you are trying to practice. It's like trying to get a piece note-perfect by playing it over and over again, making the same mistakes every time. You need to find a teacher who can help you find out what you are doing wrong. A teacher who just prescribes "long tones" as the remedy for your ills will do you no good at all.
Another angle.... do you play another instrument? Take a break from the clarinet, play something else. If you don't play another instrument, now is a good time to start. You may well find that, after 45 minutes struggling trying to get a simple tune out of a lute or a didgeridoo, going back to clarinet practice - and realising that you aren't such a bad clarinet player after all - will be a blessed relief.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-06-05 19:47
I would echo what Alex said, and offer a variation on the part about finding a niche.
Find your own niche, and also find more than one way to define yourself both musically and as a person. Do you play any other instruments as well as clarinet? Do you do some things with clarinet other than playing orchestral music?
When you want one thing with an overwhelming desire, it is easy to put all your self esteem “eggs” into that one basket. It gets to the point where, when you play something poorly or miss a note, in your mind it’s not just that you missed a note—you’re a failure.
Then you start trying too hard and sabotage yourself.
I’ve been there. We’ve probably all been there.
You have to learn to lighten up, but still care about what you are doing. That’s true of other things in life as well as music, and it’s not always easy.
Someone put it this way: “Ride easy in the saddle.”
That's why I ask if you have other things you can do musically, or even outside of music, to distract yourself for a while. Some things have to be approached indirectly, because the harder you work to create change, the more it happens that forces will come into play to resist change. Sometimes those forces come from the outside; sometimes they come from within ourselves.
Take a break or change the pace; just don't give up.
M
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-06-05 20:24
I'd have to agree with Jack on this one. I actually just went through a phase of ultimate frusteration over how I compared to my colleagues and how that even if I practiced all the time, it just SEEMED LIKE NOTHING WOULD GET BETTER. But, I realized that I was actually a lot better than I gave myself credit for.
"I go to a boarding high school for the arts".
Hmm.... I'd probably feel the same way if I were going to a school aimed purely at the arts. Maybe if you went into my high school, you would be 1st chair or you'd be really high up there in chairs. Maybe it's just the atmosphere of your school.
Ok, so if you're feeling burned out, I wouldn't say to stop practicing. Just stop practicing hard things for a day or 2, don't think about your tone for a few days. Simply play easy songs (Disney books, movie themes, musical songs etc.) and enjoy the songs. Just simply play (this will keep your embouchure in good shape).
"I know that while my playing has its strong points, it is sadly inferior to the playing of my colleagues, especially at my school, and while I want more than anything else to pursue a professional career as I clarinetist, my inability to improve my playing seems to show that this would be impossible."
Keep recognizing those strong points. When you practice try to find 1 thing that you did well. Just try to find 1. Here's a simple list:
My hand position is good.
My tonguing was even.
I played all the right notes.
I added a crescendo on measure 10 that made the piece sound more musical.
I just played this piece faster than I did yesterday and I was still 100% accurate.
etc. and beyond
Take baby steps. Often baby steps will be more beneficial in the long run than trying to take giant leaps. After awhile those baby steps will equal a HUGE LEAP and you'll realize that you have COME A LONG WAY!
I see the 06 at the end of your name so I'm assuming that we are the same age. Good luck and feel free to email. I've been there! I hoped this helped and I'm really sorry if I didn't!!!! : )
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2005-06-05 21:46
I think that you need to be resilient. I think you should take one day off, and go chase butterflies, just spent a day being completely unproductive and not worrying about the clarinet. You need to rest your mind, and after the break, you'll feel much fresher and ready to tackle things. Actually, your day of rest will probably help your playing more than anything. All of the muscles that are used to play the clarinet need to be rested just like if you were training as an athlete. Also, try to get into a routine where you have a day of rest every week or two. It's important for your sanity.
Christopher Nichols
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Author: Drenkier_1
Date: 2005-06-05 22:05
Maybe you should just for fun go and try to play some other instruments (flute, saxaphone etc..) at a music store. When I get bored with clarinet thank God I have piano and saxaphone as back up = ).
Kevin Collins
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-06-05 22:10
When I'm frustrated with my clarinet, I pick up the Eb. The bucky little devil makes me appreciate how nice my Bb really is to play...
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-06-05 23:24
BCG,
"The bucky little devil makes me appreciate how nice my Bb really is to play..."
You have offered a terrific bit of insight and some wonderful and extremely descriptive words. The "bucky little devil" indeed. I love it!
HRL
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-06-06 00:14
For me, when i practice,i never notice any improvement. The only time i ever see improvement is when i hear an old recording of myself, or more importantly when i play a piece of music that i havent played in a few months or even a year. I also notice that i have improved when i go to competitions and beat people who had beat me in other competitions earlier that year. I in most cases usually takes a few months to notice a change, and the change is so gradual you probably won't even think about it. I think this is part of why it is so frustrating. The results are immediate and it doesn't feel like they are ever going to come. Keep practicing many hours and they will.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-06 00:53
Get a few lessons with "a master". Obviously you currently have a teacher, and probably a good one if you are at an arts school, but different teachers can "turn on" different areas of your playing.
I've completely turned around students tones in 3 lessons - it can be done and there are many who can do it.
That's for your tone.
The other part is addressing the "burn out" issue.
Burn out is part of an artistic temperment - often players will either get to a certain high level or put it down completely.
We have all seen that where a player will suddenly quit for no apparent reason, but it can and does happen. However you are too young for that to happen as you can improve!
If I were to suggest a teacher for a lesson (even just one!) it would be Howard Klug. Klug is really great at helping a student to shape their sound and get a good tone (he's at Indiana University). Even taking a lesson with one of his grad students would help you a LOT.
Sometimes you need to just put it down for a couple of weeks and step back away from it to clear your head. When there is tension and frustration about your very "bottom line" of playing, it can drive you nuts and leaving it alone to calm down can do wonders.
But obviously you need to do something differently than what you are doing right now. I wouldn't take up another instrument, I'd get somebody else to help you short term get over the current slump that you are in.
Could make a world of difference.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-06 01:33
by the way - addressing your tone as you wrote "Specifically, my tone is atrocious regardless of the countless hours of long tones I do in an effort to improve it."
Ok, your mouthpiece and reed setup can have a direct affect on how you sound. The ligature won't make much of a dilly, but can affect comfort a little.
Factors which will have a direct and dramatic affect on your tone:
1. Lip position - how much lip is tucked in and out.
2. Lip position on the reed - how much mouthpiece you are "taking in your mouth, and also what angle your top teeth and bottom lip are to the mouthpiece/reed.
3. Oral Cavity - what is going on inside your mouth, and your tongue position
4. Pressure on the reed - how "tight or relaxed" your mouth is around the mouthpiece and reed.
5. Breath Support
6. Reed Strength - if the reed is the proper strength for your mouth and mouthpiece and also the reed selection (pick a bright reed and you will sound bright)
7. Your own concept of sound - that is big time important as you have to have a specific concept of what you want to sound like to achieve it.
8. Your Mouthpiece - The Mouthpiece can have a huge affect on how you sound. There are many Mouthpieces that I just can't stand and certainly wouldn't enjoy playing on.
9. Your Clarinet - that will help, but no miracles there. I can sound fine on a crappy bundy.
That's where having a teacher who is willing and able to help you with all of the above and focus on it till you are sounding like you feel you should.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-06-06 02:26
"When I'm frustrated with my clarinet, I pick up the Eb. The bucky little devil makes me appreciate how nice my Bb really is to play..."
Funny... I do the same thing when I'm frustrated, but for me it's because the Eb is such a joy to play that it makes me happy again.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-06-06 02:54
clarinetist06,
You could try playing different kinds of music; e.g., jazz instead of playing tightly structured music.
Some Causes of Poor Tone Quality:
lack of breath support
lack of lip support
tonguing the wrong place on the reed
tonguing too hard
moving the lower jaw while tonguing
too much mouthpiece in the mouth so that the reed can not be controlled
the chin being puckered up instead of pointed
the clarinet held too far out from the body or too near
too little mouthpiece in the mouth
the reed is too stiff - results in a "stuffy" tone
the reed is too soft - it will choke before enough air support can be applied
a poor combination of mouthpiece and reed
an instrument which is poorly designed or in poor condition; e.g., skin of a pad is loose and vibrates, weak springs.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-06-06 10:54
Clarinetist06,
The long and the short of it may be your statement "I know that while my playing has its strong points, it is sadly inferior to the playing of my colleagues, especially at my school, and while I want more than anything else to pursue a professional career as I clarinetist, my inability to improve my playing seems to show that this would be impossible."
Having known several players that have moved on and become profesisonals, I remember that they played a whole bunch while in HS. After that, they just had to "fine-tune" their performance when they went to Eastman in most cases (but that was 50 years ago).
There is no shame in realizing that you will not be a professional clarinetist; a multitude desire it, some play well enough, but few make it! There are many young players that frequent this BB and it is pretty easy to tell that they have not even scratched the surface of accomplishing what it takes to become a professional clarinetist but that's life. Realizing that your calling is in another field or a closely allied musical area is nothing to be too disappointed about.
I have been a teacher for over 40 years and have enjoyed every one of them. But I am still a way above average performer on woodwinds and continue to work a lot of gigs even at my advanced age :-); I practice a lot. Teaching for me has been one of the most wonderful things that I could have been accomplished (I wanted to be a physician but just could not get through Organic Chemistry and Advanced Physics with more than a B and that is just not good enough).
There is life after realizing that you will not be a professional clarinetist just like realizing I was not going to be an MD.
HRL
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-06-06 12:10
jnk said:
"Based on my own experience, I've come to believe that, at least for some of us, improvement is not a steady incline but rather a series of progressive steps and the onset of a "plateau period" signals that a jump to the next level is about to occur. I've not seen it discussed widely on this board but I have seen it mentioned occasionally by a few other members. It may not be universal but I think it may be a fairly common psychological phenomenon. Hang in there."
From my own experience and what I've read, that "plateau phenomenon" is nearly universal in most fields of endeavor when you are trying to improve your performance. This includes music, academics and sports as well. Many times it takes approaching the problem from a different direction to get past the plateau, though sometimes just a break can make a big difference. In sports, there's something called "over training", with symptoms very similar to what the OP lists. In that case, resting is the primary cure. In music, finding a different teacher with a different approach may be the best route over the plateau.
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Author: Olorin
Date: 2005-06-06 15:13
Under a past instructor, I became burned out for probably an entire year; his method of teaching was such that he made me try so many new things that I had no place to start from in the end. What got me out of the plateau was a new teacher, and a new way of playing.
Honestly, find some music you really love that maybe isn't too hard... for example the Bach Cello Suites or Violin ditties, and just play them and forgot about your tongue, tone, air, Everything! Just be Musical; there's no point playing something technically flawless if you've got nothign to say anyways, right? Just play something beautiful and forgot about everything they've taught you, competition, and your colleagues.
For those down and out moments, Gabriel Pierne's Canzonetta usually is nice (French, easy-ish, beautiful without trying), and Bach Bach Bach.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-06-06 18:07
Hi,
I think there are two things going on here and most of the responses deal with #1:
1. being burned out
2. the poster feeling "sadly inferior to the playing of my colleagues, especially at my school"
Number #1 can be overcome whereas #2 may be part of a reality check and suddenly acknowledging the fact that others are better (which is always tough to face). It's a tough world out there but there is a unique place for each of us! The challenge is finding it.
HRL
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-06-07 04:48
How about playing a little chamber music (in groups as small as duets), work with someone else. Do this outside of your regular discipline. Maybe try some duets with a player that is not quite as good as you are. Have him/er play both parts; don't hog the lead/melody parts. Encourage and coach your colleague.
As far as your tone... I think you've gotta start a mouthpiece collection. Hit the mouthpiece web sites. Make a list of mouthpieces with intertesting descriptions. Hit eBay and bid on some of these interesting mouthpieces. Get a second ligature like the one you play (or two new ones of a different type) and a handful of reeds in your normal brand, but in a variety of hardnesses.
Set up the new mouthpiece. Get a reed on it that will let you play with some facility. Compare the two set-ups fiddle. As you accumulate a baggie of mouthpieces, you will find that many are terrible (at least for your, your tunning barrel and your clarinet). One might make your clarinet as bright as a piccolo; another as dark as a cavern.
Play one piece on your dark set-up and another on your bright set-up.
Good luck.
Don't suffer alone.
Bob Phillips
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-06-07 12:00
I'll read all the replies later but for now may I suggest that you would benefit from a nice long walk in the woods where you can listen to the birds and recharge your batteries.
Bob Draznik
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Author: clarinetist06
Date: 2005-06-08 01:47
Many many thanks to everyone for their replies. I am looking for a new teacher and I plan to take some time off when I can....so hopefully this will pass....!
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