Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-20 23:12
Air support is a tough one to describe...
Perhaps your problem is stamina...or concentration lapses.
As a smaller boned female, I have to work 3 times as hard to maintain the level of air support that my peer average sized male clarinetist do effortlessly....its just biology. I have to keep in top physical shape ... I practice pilates on a daily basis on a reformer. Since I've started pilates, I have become one with my abdominal core...and it has certainly benefitted my playing.
I don't know the state of your physical condition, but perhaps upping your exercise level will benefit you if indeed your problem is stamina.
Another cause of your problem could be a lapse in concentration. When I was working on correcting my articulation, I could keep up the proper technique for short periods of time before I lost my focus. Also, you have to retrain your muscles to correct poor technique. Short bursts of practicing correct technique are more beneficial than going through a long period of practice - with learned techniques going out the window after a couple of minutes..
Now, with your air support, I can suspect you are preparing properly. A few measures into a piece you are concentrating...and then, after a few minutes old habits sneak up. It can be due to the ab muscles tiring and then your mental focus concentrating on the musical technique of whatever you are playing.
What I would suggest: To isolate the muscles ... lay flat on your back on the floor. Concentrate on breathing normally. Then take a breath as if you were preparing to play...the bad habits most clarinetists make (raising shoulders, poor posture, not letting the abdominal cavity open naturally) are almost impossible to do while breathing deeply lying flat on your back. You can also attempt to play lying down (however, I have experienced the condensation running down into the mouthpiece - pretty gross).
After you have a pretty good idea of how a deep breath should feel physically, practice sitting... and work on scales, long tones...but nothing complicated. I use my Baermann practice warmup as an aerobic warmup for playing...to get me in the zone and prepared to play.
Of course, bring these ideas to the table when you work on etudes and solo work...but remember that this doesn't happen over night. In your practice...be sure to stop yourself when you feel you are falling back into bad habits. Over time, you will build the physical strenght and stamina to play straight though your lesson...with proper air support.
Hope my ideas can help you somewhat!
Post Edited (2005-05-20 23:14)
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