Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2018-08-21 00:01
Hi Dmax!
Welcome to the bboard, and welcome back to the old (as I once heard reedist extraordinaire, Ray Moore, call it) misery stick. ;^)>>>
Many folks on this bboard have a "lapse" in their playing - so hopefully you'll receive lots of answers.
I was forced away from clarinet for about 10 years. Upon returning, I ran into certain hurdles.
The first (even though I was watching for it): I became frustrated with my lack of being able to do what I used to do. Patience is key, and starting at the beginning and working slowly forward was the key for me.
I started with "what was familiar" to me - the same clarinet, the same mouthpiece...even the same reed brand, strength, etc. This worked for me.
I agree with Paul Aviles in that it would be best to have your clarinet looked at to make sure it is in good playing condition. Even if high, the cost will be worth it in the long run. Leaks will most likely prevent you from applying proper technique, and might cause you all sorts of problems/bad habits that you'll have to deal with. Even if just a one-time repad/repad as needed, it might help you avoid serious issues with your playing later.
I'd also recommend a certain amount of "fun" play. I found re-learning to be fairly tedious until I decided to depart from the normal routine, and decided to play more of the music I truly enjoyed (caveat - I now play old time jazz almost entirely.) For me, approaching music after a break gave me a lot more freedom to explore areas that were blocked off for me before.
Along that same idea: for me, I had to learn not to take the endeavor of re-learning so seriously. Part of my frustration came from me being too hard on myself, too strict. It doesn't have to be that way. Once I started having fun, relaxing, and changed my approach - progress came fairly quickly.
Know that your body has changed. Things aren't necessarily in the same place as they were (teeth/jaw?), and muscles aren't exactly in the same shape they had been. Expect some things to feel foreign at first. Things that used to be automatic might require a little thought - and possibly outright frustration. For me, those things went away fairly quickly, but I do remember being frustrated by them (embouchure for one).
Best of luck, and welcome back to the clarinet!
Fuzzy
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