 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-11-07 00:13
Invariably when I feel really good and energetic (and at my age, that's getting to be more rare), I play relatively well; conversely, when I am even the least bit tired, I just don't produce good sound, miss notes, squeak, and you name it.
Most of you older clarinetists, I would bet, know what I mean. So I have learned if I am going to play well with the local town band, or I'm to have a lesson, I must not exert myself too much during that day.
As we age, budgeting energy is somewhat like budgeting money, but I doubt if the younger players, with energy to burn, would have a clue.
Do you older folks who've been playing most of your lives agree with me on this? I just know it's true for me, and I would assume energy levels affect even you advanced elders...maybe not to the same degree though as for me.
CarlT
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Author: FDF
Date: 2010-11-07 01:16
At age 73, when I'm tired and could pass on practicing, I start with an easier to blow, softer reed. Then, I progress as necessary or as desired. Usually, I end my session feeling rejuvenated.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-11-07 02:59
kdk asked, "How old are we talking about?".
Same as FDF...73 last month.
Knock on wood though, I am pretty healthy so far as I know, but I don't have the energy I had in my 50s, that's for sure. Have to manage my energy more now than before.
Playing the clarinet is only one way that confirms that for me ;-)
CarlT
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Author: susieray
Date: 2010-11-07 03:32
I have a friend who is 73 and has been playing clarinet, sax, oboe and flute his entire life, plays in several ensembles during the week, repairs woodwinds, refaces mouthpieces, and gives private lessons.
In addition to that, he rebuilds and races motorcycles. I don't know how he does it, but I know he has always taken good care of himself, eaten very healthy and worked out regularly. Never smoked or drank either.
Post Edited (2010-11-07 03:34)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-11-07 06:29
I'm 10 years away from being able to walk completely in your shoes. I don't know what kind of chronic health problems you may have. At 63, I have to say I honestly don't feel a lower level of energy for things I'm enthusiastic about. I'm mostly just a little more selective about what I'm willing to take on. I haven't yet experienced the need to "budget" my energy so much. It's more a matter of deciding which activities are worth doing despite the small chronic aches and pains and the occasional acute flare-ups that some of those underlying chronic results of aging (stenosis, degenerated discs, arthritic knees) bring on.
Squeaking and poor tone are rarely, for me, the result of low energy level (although if the low energy is extreme, as when I'm sick, I need a good reason like an impending performance to make myself get past it). Squeaking and poor tone, at least in my experience, don't result from lack of energy - they're caused by technical/mechanical problems (most often reed-related or caused by problems in my instrument) that I can correct. Missed notes tend for me to be more a result of distraction than low energy level (although feeling acutely tired can be a distraction). I have certainly performed successfully when I was tired and have never found that I needed to limit my activity level in preparation for playing.
I guess my bottom line is that I simply don't feel "older" at 63 and find that, except for the aches and pains that seem to multiply as I celebrate birthdays, the problems in my playing are the same ones I've always had and I need to deal with them in the same ways I always have. I'm not in my seventies. I may re-read this response in 10 years (if I have a reason to look it up) and find it very foolish. Before you assign responsibility for playing discomforts to "low energy" you should check out your reeds and the mechanical condition of your instrument and make sure they aren't to blame and that you aren't distorting technical aspects of your playing to overcome mechanical problems that have an identifiable cause. If you're having problems mainly at lessons or at ensemble events, consider that nerves - anxiety resulting in trying too hard to play well - may be a partial explanation. Be sure you aren't misinterpreting the symptoms you hear in your playing and letting a mis-diagnosis of "low energy" prevent you from finding the root causes.
Karl
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-11-07 06:59
Well I`m 77 and play alto, tenor, violin, clarinet and cello. But what Carl T says is right and a problem. I play in the little local bands and even taking it easy during the day for a special play at night is not the cure all for me. It just seems that the brain wants to switch off at times. Of course heaps of practice is essential but I`ve spent hours on MPCs, reeds, different instrument makes and so on but now I realize that all that means little unless I can work out how to fire 100% when I want to. So to date I`ve been evaluating as a solution:
. a 10min. practice close to performance time.
. a strong cup of coffee prior to the bell
. try to eliminate any hassle. e.g music all arranged, don`t rush.
. is your instrument set up just right for the playing. Avoid fiddling with reeds a short time before starting.
. pity, but give the ethanol a miss till you get home.
. try to figure out what makes you feel good some days. Is it an early night prior?
. is it mental lassitude more than physical the problem. Should I not play a computer game of chess that I do each day.
This problem does`nt seem to exist when you are young and younger members wont know what I`m talking about.
So if other seniors have any further "helpers" pass them on.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-11-07 16:26
Clarinet & saxophone virtuoso, Al Goladoro, continued playing professionally well into his 90's but was quoted as saying, "I have to practice three hours a day just to keep what I have." Health and energy are important factors which govern our attitudes towards social, mental and physical activites, but perhaps there is validity in the old saying, "where there's a will, there's a way." It may often simply come down to you gotta wanta and if you don't, you wont. For me, at my age (70), often the hardest part of practice is opening the case. After that, it all seems to go well. FWIW, I play in a semi professional symphony orchestra, four local wind bands and a swing band of retired people who play for senior citizen centers and nursing homes, often--sadly--to residents who are younger than some of us. I also have started my 41st year in our local curling club and skip teams in Monday and Wednesday leagues, volunteer at my old school giving beginning band lesssons once a week and baby sit for my new grandson twice a week. Keep going and stay active--the alternative isn't so attractive, is it????
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Author: haberc
Date: 2010-11-07 16:46
For all you old dudes, and I'm one - 68 - there's a great book that I have found inspiring. Younger Next Year is the name of the book. Check it out.
haberc@earthlink.net
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-11-07 19:24
William since curling is unheard of in my country please tell me does all that furious sweeping actually melt the ice sufficient to cause the stone(?) to move faster in that direction, or is it just to keep warm?
haderc I`ll see if I can locate the book, thanks for mentioning it.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-11-07 22:29
Ronish--sweeping, to someone not familiar with the game, usually seems rather silly. However, it is enormously effective in lengthening the distance a rock will slide or reducing its curl as it slides down the sheet of ice. We think that the friction caused by the action of the brush on the ice does momentarily melt it and makes it more slick. And, although the temperature in most curling facility ice houses is kept around 45 degrees, that can be rather bone chilling to us older members and sweeping does warm the body considerably. Curling is a great lifetime sport and we have members as young as 6th grade and old as 88 playing effectively in the same leagues. In the olympic coverage, you see the worlds best in action, and during the last games, the USA Olympic Champion Womens team was from our Madison Curling Club. We have many other national and world champions from previous years that are still part of our 500 member club. Wonderful sport--thanks for asking. Now, back to the clarinet.....
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Author: clariza
Date: 2010-11-08 07:01
Hello everyone, this is my first post on the forum! Thanks for all the interesting info.
As a younger clarinettist (30), I find that my mental and emotional state is most important in performance. If I am feeling positive and happy about life, I tend to play better, and vice versa. It is a bit of a vicious circle: when I am feeling less happy or depressed even, I don't play so well and then feel even worse and continue playing badly. I have to be a careful not to go into a negative downward spiral.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-11-08 07:22
Very, very interesting William. Never knew it was an Olympic sport. I was in `64 &`68 Olympics. Must have been introduced later.
Welcome clariza. You are dead right, but how to feel super good just prior to performing???
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2010-11-08 07:50
I agree with Clariza - I don't think this is necessarily about age. I'm *only* 37 and only play well when I'm feeling on form and totally agree about the vicious circle thing!
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Author: Buster Brown
Date: 2010-11-08 12:05
I'm 73 and don't have energy problems. I currently play in 5 groups regularly plus in the pit on local productions. One of thr groups I play in (a community college 18 piece big band) has an 80 year old trumpet, 83 trombone and 83 tenor sax). I play all the single reeds and have finally started to learn the flute. I'll be ready to unleash it on the public in another couple of months.
One item that has gone downhill a little with age is lung capacity. I can still do that last note on Harlem Nocturn in one breath (my circular breathing stinks), but it kills me. Tired or not, I'll never stop playing (again).
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Author: William
Date: 2010-11-08 14:45
Ronish--what Olympic games were you in. FWIW, one of our local clarinetists, Dan Immerfall, won a bronze medal in the Winter Games at Innsbruck in speed skating. His accomplishments were overshadowed by our other Madison Gold Medal speed skater, Eric Heiden. Curling first appeared as an Olympic Sport in Nagano, Japan and is a "recent" addition.
Buster B--my lungs are still able to hold that HN note as well......no need for circular breath here. And our Retro Swing Band has a lead trumpet player who is 85 and has no trouble hitting that solo high note near the end of "What's New". Our lead alto player is 84 and plays killer solos. Four years ago, he competed in our city's "Iron Man" competition--didn't win but he finished the race before some others. Of course, basic health is important, but another more important factor may be just keeping active and not giving up. Unfortunately, becoming a coach potato is far too easy...........
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2010-11-08 20:12
A trumpet player William, that is 85! That`s great but a bit discouraging for we 77s who are puffing hard. I was a fencer in Tokyo and Mexico City. Days of the big semi pros we competed against from eastern Europe. I`m Aus.
I`m still searching for the answer to generating highs for better performing so I`m adding "more exercise" to my list. I say this because I`m familiar with the shot of endorphen that exercise gives and more may help.
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