Klarinet Archive - Posting 000591.txt from 1999/07

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] I am so eager to start
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 13:46:04 -0400

"John Smith" wrote,
>I am just so happy that I found this page and joining this list. I haven't
played clarinet for about 9 years, but now eager to start playing again....>

Bruce Keplinger wrote,
>> Congrats for getting back to clarinetting!!! It was a similar
situation for me (10 year break), and when I got back into it, it was like
coming home (after dealing with the frustration...).
Don't be easily discouraged, your fingers and embouchure will come
back. Meanwhile, check out http://www.asband.org/commgroups.shtml. For that
matter, check out http://www.sneezy.org, this list's home, for a plethora of
clarinet info.
Above all, have fun, and play stuff you like.>>

.The last line of Bruce Keplinger's message defines one of the big joys of
coming back to music in general and clarinet playing in particular as an
adult amateur, instead of as a student. I'd never had the luxury of choosing
my own music and playing what I liked before. I love it! Now and then, I
remind myself that I really ought to get a teacher, that I'd probably make
faster progress with a teacher, that I'm probably picking up bad habits
without a teacher, yadda yadda yadda. None of those concerns have nearly
outweighed the pure pleasure of deciding for myself what to play, when to
play it and how long to work on it.

It's a little frustrating at first, but the skill of playing an instrument
really does stay with a person, the same way we store away the knowledge of
how to ride a bike. Bringing the skill out of dormancy and back into a part
of the brain where it's convenient to access takes some time and frustration.
I think the inevitable mental rebuilding period is actually helpful, because
it also takes time and patience to "get the lip back," "get the thumb back"
and build the embouchure muscles to good playing condition, before we can
play for longer periods without doing damage. The mental catch- up period
slows us down enough to protect the body while we're getting back in shape.

Best of luck to all of you come-backers on the list!

Lelia

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