Klarinet Archive - Posting 000526.txt from 1998/01

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: The aging clarinetist
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 20:29:57 -0500

pim2 wrote:

> I am one of these - I have started to learn the clarinet aged 43 - never
> having learned any music at all - but love singing and sing in a choir (not
> a very good one). I have an aptitude but after 3 months I am about grade 4
> (not very good on scales tho'). I feel I am not doing very well - I still
> squeak (my middle register B particularly for some reason). I am practising
> hard and am very keen but I have no reference point - am I doing vaguely
> OK - where would the average person with some musical ability be now?
>
> I am struggling with dexterity and accurage sight reading ( I seem to see
> notes which aren't there quite often!) However, I love what I am doing -
> just want to feel that this is not a complete waste of time.!
>
> Erica Dyson

This wonderful progress! In one of my earlier posts, I stated that adults often
have a problem expecting too much from themselves too soon. My daughter is in
the 5th grade band and she is the ONLY one who can play middle register B and
up. They have been playing 6 months now. As far as reading music, the class
can only do whole notes, half notes, quarters, eighths, and dotted quarters. Be
patient. Have fun. Find lots of fun, simple things to play while you learn. It
takes a long time to get proficient at sight reading, especially when you are
learning so many other things at a time.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD