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Astreja
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Default Apr 17, 2019 at 02:30 PM
  #1
I've been studying clarinet (starting in my 40s as an adult beginner) for nearly 15 years, and made some good progress. Problem is, it doesn't feel like 15 years' worth of progress because I'm not putting in regular practice sessions.

I play on Mondays at my weekly lesson, and Wednesday nights in a community band, but after that all bets are off. It's time to get serious and get regular quality time with my friend Clara III (so named because she's the third clarinet I've owned).
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Thumbs up Apr 17, 2019 at 03:55 PM
  #2

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Default Apr 18, 2019 at 12:19 AM
  #3
It's underway, sort of. I had band practice tonight so that's enough playing for the day.

For tomorrow I've started to set up my practice space a bit differently. I took my alto clarinet out of its case and set it up on a stand, and will probably do likewise with the bass clarinet. I prefer to leave C3 in its case with a humidifier because it's wood rather than plastic, but it's comparatively easy to set up compared to the two larger clarinets. When I'm done with my after-work tea break I can put a reed on one or more instruments and grab some music to work on.
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Default Apr 19, 2019 at 05:55 PM
  #4
I'm beginning to see a pattern: I have to get practice underway as early as possible so that I don't get distracted by other things. Yesterday I started with the alto and then the B flat (regular) clarinet; today I started with the B flat and finished with a few minutes on the bass.

Usually I'm good for 1-1½ hours once I get set up, so I've probably logged nearly three hours since Wednesday night. At this point I'm not going to track the actual time, just whether something got practised that day. Five good minutes, concentrating and learning, is better than an hour of mindless, imprecise flailing around.
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Default Apr 24, 2019 at 02:13 PM
  #5
A bit of a struggle last night: I was a bit too full from an after-work snack, and it seemed that no matter what reed I took out of the case it was just a bit too hard to play nicely, but stayed with it for a while. Things finally began to smooth out, and I made a bit of progress on a new piece.

Have to take Clara III for service as there's an air leak somewhere, but I have my previous clarinet to use as a spare. Tonight is band practice so I'll get to see how daily practising has affected my playing.
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Default Apr 27, 2019 at 10:13 PM
  #6
Pretty good day today. I didn't try to play right after eating, although I was a bit tired from doing a home improvement project that involved standing on a ladder for a while.

Spent most of the time working on a new section of a study that my clarinet teacher assigned to me, with the metronome running -- an absolute must if you want to play complex rhythms cleanly. Followed that with some work on two pieces that the band is performing next Wednesday, and then played with the bass clarinet and the piano for a while.

Habit-wise, it looks like my main problem is getting started. Once I'm sitting in a chair in my practice space, with an instrument set up, I tend to stay there and just keep working.
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Default May 26, 2019 at 01:59 AM
  #7
Things are going much, much better than I anticipated when I started this thread. I literally have not missed a day of clarinet playing since April 17, although there have been days where I was too tired or distracted to practice for more than a few minutes. Regular band rehearsals, lessons or a performance count as playing on that day, although very occasionally I've managed to do some home rehearsal on those days as well.

The strategy of rehearsing earlier in the day seems to be a significant part of why this is working. On workdays when there are no other music events on my schedule, I'm setting up to practice right after my after-work cup of tea, which is in the room right next to the studio.

And the payoff is massive: We're coming up on a major concert next weekend and I've been bumped out of my comfort zone, from second to first chair, to sub for someone who can't make the gig. I'm nervous, but if I hadn't already been working on the material I'd be terrified.
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Default May 26, 2019 at 07:43 AM
  #8
Good for you persevering and making first clarinet with confidence!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you enjoy the concert and feel that it was a success. I know that improving my habits is key to a lot of things in my own life.

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Default Jul 24, 2019 at 01:17 AM
  #9
Reporting in: It's now been over three months of daily practice. It really is starting to make a difference in my playing, especially in faster sections.
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Default Jul 14, 2020 at 10:14 PM
  #10
How's the practicing now?? Its been almost a year since you reported in. I'm right there with you!! I play clarinet too, and it's been since March since I played. I do miss playing, and I know the rewards. But without playing in a group, and having motivation... wait that doesn't do it for me either.

Hearing that daily consistent effort helps to improve a skill brings hope. Thank you!!
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