The bit with the video of the pond has been a really effective teaching tool this last week. I use similar metaphors often but actually SEEING the pond and hearing someone else say it seems to make a significant difference for some students. Thank you, Michael!
I lived in the depressing suburb of Uhl for many years because that’s where my teachers lived. Later, I was naive enough to ask my students to live there. It’s only a few decades later that I’ve retired and divide my time between my holiday homes in Rose and the delightful village of Demnitz. I like to pop into JeanJean’s department store occasionally: you can find a few treats if you dig around amongst the discount items.
I am a clarinet player. This video didn't go where I thought. Keep in mind that some musical savant s can play with incredible technique in a short time. Applying to all instruments (all instruments), speed and virtuosity is linked to rhythm (in your mind) more than anything else. I could write pages on this.
Hands down, the BEST teacher, entertainer on UA-cam. Thanks for the tips, technics, and all the feels! Bass clarinet ain't nearly as scary as it used to be!
Thanks for the awesome video! I have been practicing and trying to get my chops back after not playing a lot for a while, and this helps a lot. Me being the kind of guy who just slows things down and increases the speed little by little, I actually thought you still sounded really great when you played it "wrong" at 5:45. I guess it just sounded kind of robotic and not very musical. I guess I wouldn't have slowed down or dragged the time as you did sometimes at 6:12. It did sound better. Do you think it's appropriate to slow down the tempo at parts? Anyways, you are a great musician and I love your content. Sax player here, and I am trying to improve my clarinet and flute skills.
Another thing about air support is apart from creating tension, weak air isn't going to let your notes speak as quickly & clearly, no matter how fast your fingers move. I'm very guilty of this.
For those of us who’s air support and embouchure is in its infancy should we even involve ourselves in technical finger exercises or should we just play long tones for the 1st 3-6 months? Now, if you do recommend dexterity exercises as well as long tones what level of complexity should we target? Thanks
Long tones is only one part of your development. If you practice for 30 minutes pr day, I would say 10 minutes for long tones, 10 minutes for scales and 10 minutes for articulation (tonguing). this is all subject to alteration of course, but you need to mix the skills you need to develop into each practice session. Oh, yeah and don't forget to set aside time to listen to other musicians! All the best to you.
I’ve been playing for 3 years I’m working on all state music right now and I’ve noticed that when I tongue above the break it gives me a lower Semitone for a brief second. Do you know how to fix that?
So is what you are playing a rearrangement of a Ferling etude...? Edit: I think it is from the 4th Ferling etude (Fast A minor). There is a measure in that piece that is a staccato, 16th note, two-octave, upper pedal-point thingy that is the bane of my existence...
Yes, the Rose 32 Etudes are from the Ferling 48 etudes. The Ferling Etudes were shorter, so Rose starts each of his Etudes by transcribing Ferling, then creates a new middle section, and then finishes with Ferling.
The second example at the end sounded better because there was shaping and directionality, not because of the super-imposed tenutos. Some of those tenutos worked musically, some didn't. It sounds gimmicky if you make a gimmick out of it.
the tom and jerry insert so valid
"Depressing village of Uhl" LOL! Love that!
That Martin Fröst joke was peak
The bit with the video of the pond has been a really effective teaching tool this last week. I use similar metaphors often but actually SEEING the pond and hearing someone else say it seems to make a significant difference for some students. Thank you, Michael!
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome! I might make this video required viewing for my students. They don’t always listen to me but I bet that they will listen to you!
Wish I could take this video and send it to my past self… This is exactly what I needed to hear about 35 years ago…
Same here
Yes! The most important part of faster fingers isn't the fingers, it's the brain!
(and close runner up to the air!)
I lived in the depressing suburb of Uhl for many years because that’s where my teachers lived. Later, I was naive enough to ask my students to live there. It’s only a few decades later that I’ve retired and divide my time between my holiday homes in Rose and the delightful village of Demnitz. I like to pop into JeanJean’s department store occasionally: you can find a few treats if you dig around amongst the discount items.
Haha! I knew it was a trap! A video about finger technique only? Never! Love the phrasing and tonguing ideas and analogies!! :)
I am a clarinet player. This video didn't go where I thought.
Keep in mind that some musical savant s can play with incredible technique in a short time.
Applying to all instruments (all instruments), speed and virtuosity is linked to rhythm (in your mind) more than anything else.
I could write pages on this.
It works! Thank you!
Great advice. And Yes, survey the music before you start. Advice to put on the must do list. Thank you
GREAT suggestion. I go practice now...:)
Fantastic teacher. Bravo.
Really great advice, and entertaining - have missed these videos!
Another Great Lesson!! Just marked my music!
Thank You
Brilliant word! Beautifully constructed video as well
Love your videos - your playing, teaching and sense of humor are much appreciated l! 🙂👍
Love this etude
Ty! I’ll try, I have an audition in couple months and I’m trying hard. My fingers just can process like following sometimes.
Great video and and great advice’s. 😅
Hands down, the BEST teacher, entertainer on UA-cam. Thanks for the tips, technics, and all the feels! Bass clarinet ain't nearly as scary as it used to be!
I can usually work out fingers. I am just working at faster tonguing. I struggle with repeated 16th notes.
Thanks for the awesome video! I have been practicing and trying to get my chops back after not playing a lot for a while, and this helps a lot.
Me being the kind of guy who just slows things down and increases the speed little by little, I actually thought you still sounded really great when you played it "wrong" at 5:45. I guess it just sounded kind of robotic and not very musical. I guess I wouldn't have slowed down or dragged the time as you did sometimes at 6:12. It did sound better. Do you think it's appropriate to slow down the tempo at parts?
Anyways, you are a great musician and I love your content. Sax player here, and I am trying to improve my clarinet and flute skills.
Fabulous
Another thing about air support is apart from creating tension, weak air isn't going to let your notes speak as quickly & clearly, no matter how fast your fingers move. I'm very guilty of this.
"Musical solutions to technical problems." Also, you stole my rock-skipping analogy for articulation! (jk)
Great
If only I saw this before TMEA Area Auditions, then I wouldn’t have wasted my senior year 😢
For those of us who’s air support and embouchure is in its infancy should we even involve ourselves in technical finger exercises or should we just play long tones for the 1st 3-6 months?
Now, if you do recommend dexterity exercises as well as long tones what level of complexity should we target?
Thanks
Long tones is only one part of your development. If you practice for 30 minutes pr day, I would say 10 minutes for long tones, 10 minutes for scales and 10 minutes for articulation (tonguing). this is all subject to alteration of course, but you need to mix the skills you need to develop into each practice session. Oh, yeah and don't forget to set aside time to listen to other musicians! All the best to you.
Can you do a video on how to slap tongue?
As far as i remember, there is one made several years ago.
I’ve been playing for 3 years I’m working on all state music right now and I’ve noticed that when I tongue above the break it gives me a lower Semitone for a brief second. Do you know how to fix that?
What piece do you play at the beginning?
Thank you:))
Rose Etude #8
So is what you are playing a rearrangement of a Ferling etude...? Edit: I think it is from the 4th Ferling etude (Fast A minor). There is a measure in that piece that is a staccato, 16th note, two-octave, upper pedal-point thingy that is the bane of my existence...
Yes, the Rose 32 Etudes are from the Ferling 48 etudes. The Ferling Etudes were shorter, so Rose starts each of his Etudes by transcribing Ferling, then creates a new middle section, and then finishes with Ferling.
😉
My wife's been telling me this for years, but she doesn't even play clarinet 🤷
Go for a better ear over fast fingers. I work on all fingers and should have been working on my ears.
The second example at the end sounded better because there was shaping and directionality, not because of the super-imposed tenutos. Some of those tenutos worked musically, some didn't. It sounds gimmicky if you make a gimmick out of it.