If you compare the running qualities of a model athlete (ideal slim body, long legs of equal length, good lung capacity above average etc.) with the qualities of a rather fat and heavier person with short legs differing in length too, you will find out the winner easily.
The shorty can work hard & harder again to arrive in equal time to the ideal athlete. But for what a prize ? The uneven stress to his both sides will effect his performance but also damage his ankles & hip joints differently so to worsen his running performance by the time. And, by the time, he will or has to focus his attention more to prevent further damage to his body, than to concentrate himself or herself upon the run, running technique etc. If he or she practice running as a daily exercise only without any ambition to win a run, just to keep his or her body in shape, very beautiful, perfect. This is just a parable, but also valid for the performance with musical instruments. If the player has to prepare himself or herself with a lot of exercises for every rehearsal or concert because of body abnormalities interfering with logical performance requirements, if the player has to concentrate his efforts at nearly 100% to master certain burdens as too thick lips, too thick tongue, to short breath due to an underdeveloped lung, shifted embouchure due to teeth or jaw abnormalities, WHAT EFFORT CAN HE OR SHE RESERVE FOR THE HIGHEST TASK, THE MUSIC itself ??? None, absolutely none. O.K. the moral: These unfortunate individuals, suffering under less- or over-developed playing effective body parts, should think twice about continuing to learn playing a less suited instrument or to switch to a better suited instrument. If they decide to stick with the less suited instrument, they should be absolutely realistic about what target to reach out for. The never should point at the very few (fortunate) exceptions from the rules. Nobody has the right to occupy the exception from the rules for himself or for herself. But, well I accept that, if you like do the same as the runner with the two unequally long legs, keep things going & play for FUN. And remember, it is not cowardly, to decline a certain task if it is too early, too high, too demanding, or to delegate a certain task to a colleague who can do it easily. It is rather wise of you, as it will remove blame from your shoulders & beware the audience of a torture of their ears. It is WISE to endure better being named a coward, instead of jumping without knowing about a safe landing. We as the professionals, we cannot delegate this kind of things (except if it is outside of our duty or exceeding our duties according to our contracts.). So it is WISE, that those tending to the profession, have ideal body related conditions & at least 50% of their efforts free for the task of musical interpretation. Read this carefully before answering. Think about it twice, please. This is by no means any discrimination of less fortunate nor any rassism. Prof.Hans Pizka, Pf.1136 D-85541 Kirchheim - Germany Fax: 49 89 903-9414 Phone: 903-9548 home: www.pizka.de email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
