Burnout
Sunday December 09 2007
After having passed the preliminary round, I should be doubling my efforts on the Strauss Concerto. The finals are January 20th, just over a month away, and if I want to have chops of steel, I should be running the piece at least three times a day. But I can’t get myself to do it.
Because I’m on Winter Break—
—and my brain has taken a vacation.
Every day I keep telling myself, “Today is the day I’m going to start my marathon practicing!“ but I end up putting it off another day.
On the brighter of sides, I began teaching a student who just switched over from flute a couple of weeks ago. He has one of the most naturally perfect embouchures I’ve ever seen and I’m in total awe. What a gift from God!
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Dec 9, 2007
Cooper,
When I was playing as principal oboe of the Wash. DC Navy Band, we would have a 2 week period off in the summers & around the holidays. I tried to NOT play much (or at all) during those periods. The embouchure muscles had a chance to truly relax and the end result was a much better tone production once I returned to the horn. I think the day in & day out playing has both good and bad effects on oboe playing. Let your brain & mouth muscles relax a bit. They deserve it!
David
——-