9 Habits to Start Building Now
Studies have shown that 40% of your actions are not conscious! They're actually habits that have formed over the course of our lives. Which is why habits are so important and such a big, ubiquitous topic.
We've had incredible teachers come through the doors here at DCA, and in their lessons and classes, noticed some similarities in the way they approach life, their art, and the clarinet - and specifically, how they've consciously created patterns that have helped them succeed.
Today's your lucky day! Here are 9 habits that we love and have heard time and time again by our DCA faculty.
- Get the breath moving first thing. Do breathing exercises, use a breath builder, or grab a straw, but the best thing you can do to prep for a good practice session is to get the air moving. Even focusing on breath for 1 minute on this can activate your wind power!
- Air is often the solution to a playing problem. From articulation, to intonation, to evenness of fingers, turning first to your air can often reveal the answer.
- Never forget to sing. When you “sing” through the clarinet, not only do you connect with your inner ear, but you create a three-dimensional, vocal sound. And most importantly, you avoid being a robot. 🤖
- Explore. Instead of waiting to be told what to do and how to do it, try things on your own. Think of what you want something to sound like, and try, try, try. Move your tongue around in the oral cavity, play around with the angle of your mouthpiece, take a little less or more mouthpiece in. The options to experiment are endless!
- Be clear in your musical intention. What do you want to say? How do you want to say it? This is the key to good practice sessions, and consistent progress over time. If you can't imagine exactly what you want, it's going to be hard to get it!
- Get out of your mind! (In a good way). Learning music is certainly an intellectual and cognitive activity, but when it's time to perform, it's best to stop thinking and trust your practice and training. In your practice, find ways to connect to your body and how you can gain control when things start getting wobbly.
- Be fearless - raise your hand to volunteer. Asked to play Eb or bass? Take a jazz gig? Get used to saying “I don't have experience with that, but I am ready to learn.” That goes a long way.
- Don't blame it on equipment, and don't reach for shiny object. Frank Kowalsky used to say to his students when they were trying equipment “If you're doing it right, you'll sound like you on anything.” Sure, something may have a bit better response or intonation. But focus on identifying your areas of improvement and working on them. There are no shortcuts.
- The three C's and a T. Commitment, conviction, confidence, and trust. You have to commit to being convicted in your ideas - whether that's a musical idea, or your idea of success. That doesn't mean you aren't flexible or open minded. It means you know what you want and need. This will bread confidence. And the more confidence you have, the more you'll trust yourself. It's a beautiful cycle.
One bonus habit: Choose small right actions. Feeling uninspired in wind ensemble? Craft and create the most beautiful tone you can, every second of rehearsal. Your lip sore? Don't push it, take time for mental practice, or listen to a recording with the score. Consistent, small, and right actions lead to big achievements.
And remember: no one is perfect.
The seemingly most disciplined people with their habits just recover faster.
They don't spend days beating themselves up, or wishing things were different. They just pick right on up and move on.
