The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

State of mind - learning to play

Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-11-24 14:13

This subject is more for those who are learning, but the topic about our state of mind while performing can extend to the studio. Students of course feel very nervous when they're trying to play a passage and the high notes come out with a swawk or the reed closes up, whatever.

After checking first to see if the clarinet is in good repair and actually plays, I've begun trying a technique that appears to have good success. I tell the student to play the passage or scale, and when they're approaching the swawk instead of the high note, just pretend that they really want that swawk to come out and they'll be so pleased to hear it. Magically they relax and the proper note comes out along with a beaming smile!

Whether learning a new skill or getting through some of life's normal struggles, it's a brain game. It's as if one side of the brain has to convince the other side that something is just fine when the other is screaming that it's not.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics