So how much practise do you do? How do you do it? Do you ave any suggestions in technical passages?

I practice anywhere from a half hour to 3 hours a day. I might practice more right before a competition. Or less if we aren`t doing anything. I`m going to be practicing a lot in the next couple weeks because I have an honor band and I don`t even have my music yet!

I usually practice at least an hour a day...sometimes more on the weekends.

I play scales, some Klose etudes and the music for the three community bands I am in. I use a metronome a lot when practicing.

I don`t. Or at least as infrequently as possible.

So why play?

Andrea:

Because that is what my current situation warrants. I do not play in any ensembles on a regular basis(I will never become a community band player), nor do I play any recitals. The only time I practice is when I am learning music for an orchestra concert. That is not to say that I never play clarinet, as I play other things for enjoyment, but would not consider those to be focused practice.

I don`t understand I guess...are you being forced to play?

meh. every few days.. i`m starting to get lazy. not a good sign. i practise like mad when we get a new song, and once i learn it. i don`t practise it. which is bad b/c by the end of some songs i`m tired b/c i haven`t figured out where to breathe. haha. anyways:

clarinet: 40-80 minutes a week usually
bassoon: 0-40 minutes a week

it really shoul be the other way around b/c i`m trying to make the bassoon my main instrument i get so lazy and i don`t like putting it together lol.

Andrea:

Sorry, but I cannot come up with another BS answer! Of course I practice, but these type of questions always bug me. In response to the original post: who cares how much the next guy is practicing. There are people that practice 6 hours a day but will never make it because they do not practice the right things. There are people who practice for an hour a day that practice the right things. So to say that yes, you will make it as a clarinetist with xxxx number of hours is crazy. Unless you are Stanley Drucker or someone, don`t worry about how much someone else practices. Worry about the progress you are making. Even then, I bet Drucker still practices some.

Dmitri

In response to the technical question: slow it down and learn every note. You will need to likely employ the 9-1 rule as well. Play something half tempo 9x then go for it on the 10th. Make sure everything is smooth and never rush into playing faster than you can play it. Patience is the key.

Dimitri,

Sorry I upset you.

I practice when I feel like it. I don`t need to practice as often as a lot of people because when I play something right the first time I don`t need to practice it for a while. Besides I have band everyother day, so I don`t need to practice a lot.

I guess because I said I practice that means that I am not a naturally talented clarinetist? That I have something wrong? I practice because I am good and because I love to play, practice and rehearsing.

Band REHEARSAL is just that REHEARSAL...practice is what you do on your own to get the techniques and notes down...rehearsal is where you put it all together with everyone else and get the dynamics and style to match what the director is envisioning.

That being said, I think I should probably find a more serious list.

Wow. Thank you. My school revolves around trying to get the students to understand that practice is what you do on your own and rehearsal is during school. No one seems to understand this, even I don`t all the time. I keep practicing though and I hope you do too.

Meagan,

I`ve been playing for 26 years now...I don`t think I`ll quit practicing anytime soon.

To anyone I`ve offended on this list, I apologize.