Getting Back into Practice

What’s the best way to get back into playing after having a little time off?

This is something I’ve had to think about lately after having surgery to get my wisdom tooth removed and having some time off from playing the clarinet.

In my experience from having time off playing in the past, I’ve come to discover it can be quite difficult to build up a consistent practice routine because of a lack of momentum. In other words, when I don’t sound so great because I’m so out of practice, it’s hard to feel inspired to pick up the clarinet again with any kind of regularity.

So over the years I’ve found the best way that works for me has been not to go straight back to long tones, tonguing and scales. But rather begin by playing a piece that I’ve learned well in the past. This kind of muscle memory helps me feel more inspired to keep practicing and I can still work on tone, articulation and finger movement using pieces of music, not just limiting my practice to technical work.