Clarinet Creative Reset

If you’re feeling uninspired (or possibly even burnt out), it’s important to take time to reset so you can re-emerge with a healthier mindset.

This is especially true this time of year, when many students, teachers, and professionals are reaching the end of an academic year. After final concerts and projects, the built-up stress can easily lead to burnout or a creative slump.

Whenever I’m in need of a clarinet creative reset, here is what I do to regain inspiration and clarity:

• Take a break. If your musical schedule allows, take a short break from clarinet. Even taking a day or two off can really help me renew my enthusiasm. If I’m particularly busy, I will sometimes take a day off from clarinet to focus on other admin tasks, so my mind isn’t as cluttered with things I need to do while I’m trying to practice.
• Clean your practice space. I find it difficult to focus when I’m surrounded by clutter, so I try to keep my practice space as tidy as possible. If I need a boost of creativity, I also go through my sheet music collection, because I inevitably stumble upon a piece of music I forgot I owned that I want to perform. This is a great way to get ideas for future projects and performances.
• Redecorate your space. While you’re cleaning, you might find concert flyers, programs, and other musical mementos. I enjoy changing out my practice space artwork, and decorating with these mementos always makes me feel inspired as I relive the associated musical memories.
• Listen to music for enjoyment (and not only score study). I love listening to music, but sometimes it can feel academic if I’m not in the right frame of mind. To gain inspiration, I’ll listen to new-to-me pieces and old favorites, but with no goals or expectations (and also no multi-tasking – stop scrolling while you listen!).
• Connect with your community. Reach out to other clarinetists or musicians. Go for a coffee with friends. Call a mentor. Send a message to a clarinetist you admire. Sometimes playing music can be isolating, so engage with our wonderful clarinet community so you don’t feel alone.
• Revisit your why. Why do you love music? What made you start playing clarinet in the beginning? What experiences have you had that changed your perception? What do you want to share with others? It can be very easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle and forget the unique magic of music, so revisiting these questions can reignite your inspiration and creativity.

I hope this helps you find a newfound sense of creative energy and inspiration!