Re: [Harp-L] lip fatigue

[Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

Whether or not we understand it, it is not uncommon for a classical
musician, regardless of instrument, to practice long hours.  I have known
classical violinists and guitarists who warmed up for 8 hours before their
concert that evening and practiced as many hours daily when they did not
have a concert.  However, serious musicians can be serious musicians without
such long hours of daily practice, too.  The key is to keep the mind and
body in the music, whether it is 15 minutes a day or hours a day.  If the
demands of your musical form are not met by your current practice, then you
may have to consider increasing it -- but don't practice so long that your
music begins to suffer over the period of the practice.  In the meantime, it
never hurts any of us to try to keep in shape as well as we can and eat
right, etc.  However, in the classical world, the concerts can last hours
and the pieces can be exceptionally long, so hours of practice will be
necessary in order to build the necessary endurance.

Cara Cooke
www.cyberharp.isonfire.com