Chair tests are on Monday and I'm stresssing out because I'm not quite sure how to practice. We have three songs from which our teacher will choose a selection from to play in front of the class. I have no clue as to what he'll be choosing and each song is, like, ten minutes long. I am so stressed out! What's the best way to go about practicing the clarinet and getting those freaking notes down. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. :) I don't know, any tips on the clarinet will help too... this will be my third year playing in high school.
2006-09-29 15:45:25 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Practice each piece in sections. Do not try to work your way throught the whole piece at once, you will not gain a whole lot. Try breaking the music down into manageable parts. Try the first phrase and practice it until you get the notes down. Next, work and try to really support your air to get a good tone. Then pay particular attention to the dynamic markings. Don't be afraid to use a pencil and mark up your music to remind yourself where to breathe and to play all of the dynamics. Don't forget to look for areas that should be played legato or accented and make sure your instructor can tell the difference between styles of playing as well as the dynamics. Make sure to look up any fingerings that you are not absolutely sure are correct.
After you get one phrase down, go to another until you have the entire song. Pay special time and attention to those areas that are very difficult and make sure that they are as good as you can get them. This will make your teacher very happy to know that you really put special effort into the very hard parts and cared enough to perfect them.
If you get so tired that you have air leaking out the corners of your mouth, take a break. Sometimes it is better to play in 15-20 minute increments at a time, rest, and then resume your practice. That way you will actually get in more practice time before Monday and your mouth won't give out on you as easily.
Remember, breathe, breathe, breathe!!!!! Keep the air flowing and control and support that air. This will give you better tone. Don't forget, break in several reeds this weekend so that if you break your favorite one, you will not have to use a new reed for tryouts.
Good-luck!!! Try not to get so stressed out. Remember, everyone else will be nervous, too.
HEY, IT'S MONDAY, HOW DID YOU DO IN YOUR TRYOUTS??
2006-09-29 16:00:37 · answer #1 · answered by Paula P 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you do make a mistake when you're presenting, just keep on going. This goes true for performances in front of formal audiences as well. Although your teacher WILL have a copy of the score in front of them, the rest of your audience won't. It's likely that they won't know you made a mistake unless you stop. Just keep on going.
Also, don't play the piece too fast when you're learning. Only go as quickly as you can playing it properly. If that means that you need to go at a snail's pace over and over again, that's fine. The more you practice the piece, the easier it will be to speed up.
Best of luck!
2006-10-01 10:53:37 · answer #2 · answered by Yummy Canadian Mummy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Practice songs with high notes in them. Practice the clarinet for several minutes each day.
2006-09-30 11:24:18 · answer #3 · answered by clarinetist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just play anything at all because any practice you get will make you feel more comfortable...take the time to go through each song at least once..its true that practice makes perfect...i played the clarinet, flute, and drums :)
2006-09-29 22:54:46 · answer #4 · answered by *princess* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋