Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2022-07-04 19:43
McDonalds Eater wrote:
> I have been dealing with a plateau for the past 6 months and I
> just can’t seem to progress at all.
>
> No matter what long tones, slow fundamentals, listening to
> different clarinetists, or approaching the clarinet from
> different angles, I just cannot improve. This is driving me
> insane.
One of the elements of your "plateau" is your definition of progress. What is it in your playing that you want to improve? Doing long tones and slow fundamentals may have nothing to do with your needs. The first step in correcting or improving any defect - whether it's a general problem or a specific musical passage - is to figure out (diagnose) what the problem is. Then you need to figure out specific ways to remedy that problem. Practice without a reasonably specific goal isn't likely to help with anything much except. maybe, endurance, and that has limits.
> I’m in this state of like the more I hold the clarinet the
> harder it gets. The more the days go on the further behind I
> get.
Behind what? Whom?
> It just seems that no matter what I do I am not content
> with my playing. I also cannot have a practice session without
> overthinking everything and trying to play “correctly.”
That isn't a developmental plateau, it's an attitude hurdle. Practicing won't help that, and overthinking is part of it. Enjoy what you have accomplished and focus on what specifically you're not content with.
>
> As a result of this my mental health has also declined.
You're definitely overthinking and over-reacting.
> I live for the music. It’s what I like doing. And I don’t
> want to quit. But I’m also tired and frustrated of having
> 10-minute “practice” sessions where nothing gets done.
Again, "nothing gets done" if you don't know what you're trying to do. Focus on specifics, if possible one at a time, and think about (and discuss with your teacher) what you need to do to improve in that specific area.
I don't know any good musician, professional or not, who is ever completely satisfied (content) with his or her playing. Any musician who cares about the music he or she produces is in a constant state of improvement. It goes with the art.
Karl
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
