 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roger
Date: 2001-11-15 17:27
I have notice a lot of new contributors to this BB lately.
I think everyone(old & new) should introduce themselves (we have done this before).
I will start.
I am a lawyer age 54 & live in Tallahassee Fl (the home of the dimpled chad). I special in ordinance codification (don'd ask). I am married. My wife has had ovarian cancer since 2001 and is current in chemo. I am an amateur clarinet player & play at my church & in the community band. I started clarinet in the 4th grade, switched to sax in the 8th grade. In 1982 I again took up the clarinet. I still play the sax also.
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Author: A David Peacham
Date: 2001-11-15 18:56
I am an IT consultant aged 44 and live in Sussex, England. I am married; my wife was a pretty good pianist long ago, and one reason I've started playing the clarinet is to encourage her to play the piano with me.
I've played the recorder since age 8 and used to be tolerably good, but rarely practice now. I played the ("French") horn from age 11 to 17, not very well. I've been trying to learn the piano since age 20, but find it astonishingly difficult. I took up the clarinet in April, am practising a lot, and am making fair progress, I think. I'm taking lessons; I'm sure one reason I'm such a bad pianist is that I tried to learn without lessons, and I've now got so many bad habits I doubt any teacher would go near me.
Equipment: Yamaha plastic clarinet, Vandoren 5RV Lyre/13/88, BG standard fabric ligature, Mitchell Lurie Premium 3.5 reeds.
Musical interests: 99% classical.
Pet hates: people who say "horn" to mean "clarinet", "sax", flute" etc. (there's a lot of that around here.) People who say "French horn" to mean "horn". People who launch into long psychological diatribes on bulletin boards.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-11-15 19:56
I'm a mechanical engineer for an aerospace company, age 43, three kids (daughters aged 5, 2-1/2, and 3 months). My wife is a wonderful person but, unfortunately, entirely non-musical --- her passion is horses (we have three, plus a donkey).
Classical bass clarinet and jazz/rock saxes (mainly tenor and baritone) are my specialties, though I now own all sizes of clarinets from Eb through EEb contra, and saxes from soprano through bari, and play most of them fairly regularly --- but play more bass clarinet than anything.
I'm currently playing in two wind ensembles, two community orchestras, a jazz big band, a community concert band, and doing the occasional show and wedding.
I also restore old clarinets, bass clarinets, and saxes as sort of a 'subsidized hobby' (it would be presumptuous to call it a business, since that would imply I make money at it!), and I reface mouthpieces.
My musical tastes are maybe a bit non-standard for a clarinetist, as Mozart bores me to tears, and generally I don't find very much to like that was written prior to, say, Mendelssohn (except for Bach, which I love). And the more extreme modern music isn't my cup of tea either --- what I really like is 'modern romantic' music like Alban Berg, Josef Suk, even Rachmaninoff, and stuff like Michael Tippett, Rawsthorne, Howard Hanson, Janacek, and definitely Shostakovich.
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Author: Julia
Date: 2001-11-15 22:32
To A DAvid Peachem---the reason we do not say just horn to mean the french horn is because there is another instrument called the english horn. I do not know why the adj. french and english are used, but that is why people speak of the french horn as opposed to horn by itself.
Ok...I am Julia from northern new york (REALLY close to CANADA) I go to school in central new york at SU. I am in two programs: BA in Music and the inclusive elementary and special eduation program.
Don't ask me why I switched from Music ed to this!
Anyways, I'm almost 20, I have a brother who is 13 and a sister who is 22. We have no pets:(
I;ve been playing the clarinet since the 4th grade. I've played piano since I was seven years old. I am also relatively competent on french horn (sort of), saxophone, and sometimes flute. Both of my parents are university professors in computer and electrical engineering, my sister is a grad student in biochemistry, and my brother is in 8th grade.
That's all I can think of! Have a great day!
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Author: Pam
Date: 2001-11-15 22:37
I'm 41, work in an insurance office full time. Married to Ray for 6 1/2 years. Live in Ohio. No children. I play clarinet, piano, handbells, flute right now. Have in the past played trombone and bass clarinet as well. Addicted to music, or is that obsessed with? I play in my church orchestra (clarinet), flute choir, handbell choir. There's a community orchestra that I'd like to join, but I need a little time left to spend with my husband and do things like laundry and groceries and cleaning. My tastes in music are pretty varied. I like classical, jazz, worship music for starters.
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Author: Rob
Date: 2001-11-16 01:04
I am 42 years old
I am a faceless corporate bureaucrat for a multinational financial and investment company
I have been playing clarinet since 1967
I have not played in public since May 14, 1977, at Carnegie Hall - yes, they will let ANYONE play there
I now play solely for my own enjoyment and whenever I think my neighbors are becoming too content
I grew up in NY/NJ but moved to Minneapolis in 1984, where I now reside
I have not taken a lesson since June of 1977, when I ran away from home at 17
I'd like to find a teacher here (in mpls), but I really don't know how to go about it
I have no idea how good my playing is but I know that I am better now than I have ever been and my sound is exquisite, really it is.
I have never married, have no children, but I do own a dilapidated house that has consumed every penny I've earned in the last 18 months.
I enjoy playing clarinet, remodeling my house (I have become a plumbing GENIUS), working at my job, and exercising to exhaustion
I smoke, I drink and I stay up too late most of the time (kids, I don't recommend it)
My Meyers-Briggs type is INTJ. If you know what that means, you know I don't enjoy talking (or typing) about myself and It's not something I do very well or very often. The internet is not nearly as anonymous as it's made out to be.
This thread is starting to feel like a blind date and so I will now return to stripping the paint from my bathroom windows.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-11-16 01:48
76 yr old restart. Still trying to get my chops back. Grade school, High School, some playing in the service (Navy), put aside for a few years, picked up again when working in Anchorage Alaska and played for awhile in the Anchorage Symphony (before it became a State). Put it aside again for about 30 years and have restarted again. "Bought" 3 instruments off e-Bay, Bb, Alto, Bass. Had Dave S.. work over the Bb and the Bass. Playing for my own enjoyment (nobody wants to listen and I am chicken to audition for the community band and have some 12 year old wizard blow me away). Contribute caustic comments here frequently, sometimes helpful, mostly Peter says I'm an instigator. At age 76 that's not too bad an acolade. But no chops left, maybe?
Bob A
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Author: Sandra Franklin Habekost
Date: 2001-11-16 02:20
I'm new here, but I would NOT mind hearing about some of the longer-term contributors to the BB since you are all finding information about us (the new contributors). I've played clarinet many years, and I have a BA in music. I own a Gift and Book Gallery with my husband, who appreciates, but doesn't play, classical music. He has a marine engineer's license, an airplane pilot's license and practices astrology. I have certificates in therapeutic aromatherapy, reflexology, hypnotherapy (RHy), and am a Reiki Master. My biggest endeavor will be the vibrational music concert with another professional (trumpet) musician here in early spring. I play mostly classical clarinet music, including orchestra, wind ensemble, and chamber groups. I've dabbled in jazz, but I'd rather listen to Eddie Daniels do that! I currently teach 16 private clarinet students. Live is a marvelous challenge! My two young sons (5 & 8 years) are musically talented. My 8 year old has a tone on the clarinet that rivals that of some clarinetists who have studied for years...and he really wants to play the trumpet! Good luck all of you studying the clarinet, now!
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2001-11-16 03:15
Another 54 year old lawyer. Another recent restart. Another eBay purchaser. My EEb Contra will be packed up this weekend to send to David S. for his blue plate special. My wife is a saint (she didn't know about the Contra until the day it arrived). My son, a 15 year old D. J. and alternative rock guitarist (7 string!), thinks it's fairly cool, at least for a dad. I'm still aiming for a spot in a community band here in East Central Indiana, but I love to listen to all kinds of music, from Hildegard von Bingen to Leon Redbone.
Best wishes to your wife, Roger.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2001-11-16 04:23
I'm 51, live near Atlantic City in New Jersey, and presently am a self employed carpenter. I'vre played clarinet from 1961 - 1973, and from 1991 til the present. I majored in clarinet at Glassboro State College, now Rowan U. for a while before switching to elementary ed. I've also done grad work at Drew U. I play in the Atlantic Pops Community Band. I have been a chorus singer (baritone) since 1968, and presently sing in my church choir and several community choruses. My wife is a pianist (amatuer) and an insurance agent (professional.) My son is 18 and a senior in HS. He plays clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, and piano and also sings. He hopes to major in music ed. I also am a boater, stained glass artist, Sunday School Teacher, and past president of the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2001-11-16 11:15
I am 41 and a Managing Director at Bank of America in NYC. I have played clarinet since 1970 and sax since 1972. I attended Harvard University where I played in the marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band. I play for local theatre groups now in northern NJ. I also collect instruments and have a Slemer 10G, an R13 FB, a Rossi, 2 Eb's, an alto, a bass, and Eb and Bb contrabasses. I also have saxes from soprano through bass and two tubas. I started taking lessons a year ago.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-11-16 12:26
Age 53. Live on my own in Auckland, New Zealand. Learnt flute for 4 yrs at school. Taught 400 flute & clarinet beginners while losing purpose at university, then teacher training & 12 years general school teaching with extra music/choir/orchestra/science or maths classes. Then 4 years computer programming (COBOL). at age 21 my Haynes flute was run over. I repaired it to a not-bad state and got a reputation as an instrument repairer. I obliged. The reputation grew and gradually took over from these previous jobs. Now self-employed woodwind specialist working at home serving about 3000 private customers. A very flexible, varied, fulfilling lifestyle including badminton, tramping (hiking), camping, growing 60 varieties of fruit and nut trees in back yard, choir, playing picc/flute/clarinet/sax in 'amateur' shows (over 160 of them), making/repairing almost anything not electronic in a very comprehensive backyard machine-shop, recently qualifying in mechanical engineering after part time study for intellectual recreation, tutoring the odd tertiary student for interest, attending frequent plays, much social life. Gay - 2 young kids (lesbian mum), with plenty of family involvement.
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Author: Azzacca
Date: 2001-11-16 12:46
I too am a recent restart... played from 5th to 12th grade, picking up Eb in 11th grade. I am now 14 years out of school and bought myself a used Yamaha in about May. I'm embarassed to say that I have not been practicing as much as I would like, but that's because I'm in my final quarter of school to become a Vet Tech. Currently I am a customer service rep for a company that specializes in making machines that make plastic cards (ID Cards, drivers' licenses, credit cards, etc). I'm ready for a change, but terrified at the same time (I'm done with classes 12/11 and start my internship 1/4).
I hope to have time again when school's done for good. Maybe then I can find a teacher that I can afford. I'm in Mpls too (Hey Rob, are you enjoying temps in the 60's in November?), so I'll watch and see if anyone has teacher suggestions for Rob...
I have 3 cats and a dog, none of which seem to mind when I do practice. The only thing they don't like is that I close the door (they like to know what I'm doing whenever possible. Yes, even the cats).
I'm also currently becoming addicted to a stupid computer game called Dark Age of Camelot, which is also pulling me away from the clarinet. Like I don't spend 8 hrs/day at the computer for work!
And I think that's enough about me
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Author: sat
Date: 2001-11-16 14:01
Hello, all. I have a BMus in clarinet performance, and I'm currently a grad student in musicology and library science, as well as a full-time employee of the music library at the University of Minnesota. I don't play as much as I'd like to because I have other priorities right now. I appreciate the sneezy board because it gives me a chance to keep in touch with my clarinet self, which often seems to get lost in the shuffle!
When I do play, it's chamber music with friends, or community groups. I enjoy playing the Eb clarinet as well when I get the chance. I am married, and my husband is also a trained musician (BM in double bass) who isn't working as one. My job and schoolwork keep me pretty busy, but besides trying to do at least a bare minimum with my clarinet, I also enjoy my pets (a dog and two cats), cooking, literature, and current and classic film. I also play a little flute and sax, but since I don't even have enough time for my clarinet, those have really fallen by the wayside.
This is a good thread. It's really nice to hear about everyone. I love that so many have picked up the clarinet again after years away from it.
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-11-16 14:31
Ok, I'm 44 and a restart after a 25 year break from the clarinet also. I'm presently doing the "Mom" thing and also go to school full-time. Yippee, I graduate next December and I'll be teaching middle school! And, yes, I get alot of "are you crazy" type stares when I tell em my certification will be in middle school. Oh well, somebody has to appreciate them also, at that age, besides their parents. <g> I'm also a soap crafter (the lye kind) and it's a hobby that's taken an unexpected turn and has started to grow, as Dave S. put it into a "subsidized hobby". Hmm...maybe it'll eventually pay for a used bass clarinet <g>.
Been married now for 24 yrs. and have 3 kiddies. We all play instruments in some fashion. Hubbie on violin, daughter oboe, flute, clarinet and one of my boys has started on alto sax (he wants to play bari, but at 10 y.o. he's just not big enough yet) and my other son has started percussion and clarinet.
I started playing clarinet in 3rd grade and continued into H.S. and then put the clarinet down for the recorder. I started again last year when our new community band started up and my daughter wanted to play with them and I figured since I'm driving her there, I might as well stay and play also. I own 2 older Evette-Schaffer master model clarinets ('56 & '57) and have really enjoyed reading the occasionally ongoing debate about these clarinets being "rejected" R-13s. I deserted the clarinet section, in August, and I've taken up the bass clarinet, and I absolutly love it! I'm still having trouble crossing the "break" on it (I think that's the term, it's the B, C & C# notes where you have to pop the register key) I do fine above and below those notes but those three are my nemisis. Enough of me, it's somebody else's turn....
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-11-16 14:40
Good morning from raining Ca.
I'm 66 and have been trying to learn the clarinet for about 2 1/2 years. Mostly self taught. I'm now taking a class at the state college in Ukiah, Ca. on the Fundamentals of Music. With little or no background in music (I'm going crazy trying to remember all the #'s and b's.) a couple of the recent tread have helped a lot. (Father Charlie).
We are retired (thank God) and have built a beautiful Log House on a ridge in Mendocino County, ca.
My other passions in life are dogs (Massiff) horses (have 4) reading and now pool. Just finished my poll room and it is great. If you are really lousy at pool i will play for money. If you know your way around the green then we play for fun.
If you all ever get to Anderson Valley give us a call and we can play a few tunes. Bring you own mp.
My highlite this year is that I roomed with Mark at the fest.
peace to one and all
Happy Thanksgiving--we all have so much to give thanks for. Including this board.
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2001-11-16 15:18
I havent posted here in awhile....anybody remember me?
I'm 19, a freshman in music education at the University of Iowa - in the studio of Dr. Maurita Mead, although I dont take lessons from her yet. I play a buffet international w/ a B45 and V12 3 1/2s. Supposed to be getting a new mpc soon. Univeristy owned Selmer bass (really nice though). Bass clarinet in the University of Iowa Symphony Band, alto sax in the Hawkeye Marching band. Guard in Dubuque Colts drum & bugle corps (after I try out, and quit doing stupid stuff like what follows..).
I won the Dumbest Person Ever to Spin a Rifle Award last night, by dropping a toss, which landed on my foot, and caused a big bump to crop up, and my whole foot to swell up. Went to the ER to find out if it was broken; it wasnt (thank god), just bruised really badly. I'm not supposed to walk on it - or march on it tomorrow - but I'm going to anyway [i'm not going to do pregame, high stepping would hurt a lot..]. It'll just be swollen and hurt a lot... Yeah, so i'm not the brightest crayon in the box.
Um..I'm a typical college student i think (except apparently I'm clumsier than normal) and a complete marching band diehard (when your football team's predicted to go to a bowl game in San Jose California, how can you NOT love football?).I'm terrible at music theory and french. I golf and play pool when I have time..which is never. c'est tout....
Go HAWKS!!!
~Ashley~
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-16 16:11
As Sandra F H seemed to be requesting, as possibly the oldest so far [82 1/2] and an[overly?] frequent poster here, I'm happy to report that my playing Bb and bass cls, and at times alto and the saxes, is holding up quite well! Except for a couple of WW II years, [involved with Chem Engr work re: av-gas and syn rubber] I've been playing steadily since age 10 [in Michigan] in just about every group endeavor except Klezmer [forgot about "Fiddler"! ] , played bass cl last night in Bizet's L'Arlesienne for band [kept me busy!, the cello-viola part?] reasonably well. Our 4 kids have given us 9 GRANDchildren and a Great. Being long retired I've turned into a SEMI-pro repairer and do a bit of collecting. Per wife, have too many horns, some quite good ones, do a bit of cat-for-dog trading-repair. Having had a few years in the patenting business, I try to add that information to the many threads here requesting more info. "Bout all I can remember!!! Oh, yes we live comfortably in N E Okla, N of Tulsa. Don
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Author: C@p
Date: 2001-11-16 16:14
I am a 60 year old trial lawyer in the suburbs of Chicago now in general practice under the name of Robert L. Caplan who has restarted playing the clarinet in earnest in February of 2000 joining a community band called The American Wind Band (http://americanwindband.org/) sponsored by the Oak Brook Terrace Park District, Illinois. My wife plays the accordion. I advised both my boys to play trumpet because a trumpet is heard. One switched to guitar and the other one switched to drums, is a trained sound engineer having attended the Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, Ohio, and now concentrates on writing and playing his own songs on CoolEdit on his PC hoping for his big break.
I was given piano lessons around 8 years of age. I was enamored with the prospect of playing the violin at 10. I was not enamored with acutaly practicing either instrument.
I started the clarinet on an old rented metal clarinet around 11 years old. Actually, the clarinet might not have been very old at that time. Before I had a lesson, I was able to figure out how to get the reed on and how to play from C to G in the lower register and play "Mary Had A Little Lamb." In my first lesson I was told to use my bottom lip to control the reed.
I progressed basically on natural ability and playing time in school as opposed to practicing at home, and two years later my parents bought me a wooden clarinet. They had to settle for a $285 Evette Schaefer Master Model instead of a Buffet for an extra $100, which around 1954 was a lot of money to come out of the family budget.
Of my four years in Sullivan High School in Chicago, I played 8 semesters in band, 7 in orchestra, and played tenor sax in a small dance band. I stopped playing in organized groups when I went to the University of Illinois as I did not feel that I could play on that level.
Over the years I would occasionally pick up the clarinet again and play with some Music Minus One albums or just play with the radio.
When my youngest son was in High School, there was a program where the parents could go along and take part in all classes. At band they found me a clarinet to play and I played a trumpet part. The next year I brought my tenor and joined in. It was somewhat intimidating but fun.
I asked the band director if there was a mediocre band I could join. I felt that joining a mediocre band would be good because I would not embarrass them nor would I embarrass myself. I later realized that it did not matter what the quality band might be because as soon as I joined it, it would become mediocre.
After severely hurting my back in February of 1999, my chiropractor got me on strength training. I joined the health club at the Oak Brook Terrace Park District and one day I noticed a flyer for their community band. I decided to check it out, looked at the music, recognized the little dots and lines, and told the director of my misgivings as to whether or not I had enough talent. He asked if I had a mouthpiece and I said I did. He asked if I had a reed and I said I did. He said to got get my horn and join. So I did. I now occasionally play first clarinet and have had at least one significant solo lead with the band. And the band is not mediocre having among its membership many area high school band directors, old professional musicians, miscellaneous music majors who switched to non-music careers, and other re-starters of various musical abilities.
Since that time I have been studying much harder than I had some 35 years ago to the extent that I have shown that a new clarinet was warranted and purchased a Buffet R-13 Vintage last June. I try to practice for two hours at least 3 to 4 nights a week to make sure I justify this purchase.
I follow this board as much as I can to learn as much wisdom from others as I can, occasionally contributing as I think I can. I once tried to steer what I thought were irrelevant comments from one thread about clarinets to their own thread and learned from that experience that Mark runs the board very well without my help. I read as much as I can to find out tips and pointers that will help me progress from a somewhat struggling clarinetist to a musician and I thank all that contribute for their aid in this quest.
And thank you for reading this far.
C@p
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-11-16 16:52
I didn't see this, fab.... another reason to stop working!
I am a 28yr old motion graphic designer working from a home studio in London UK (animation, Broadcast intros, music promos, web etc). I have been playing various intruments since I was about 13, anything from guitar, bass, double bass, mandolin, violin (very badly) and have recently taken up woodwind. I grew up in South Africa in Cape Town until I was 20 and them came over to the UK to persue design. My teen years were filled with blagging my way through music sessions (I could not read music), and being in bands that were very unsuitable for the health and well-being of a young tennager, all the time supported by my trusting parents, ah bless.
I am still playing in clubs etc in various small temporary outfits, and occasionaly invited on stage by strange people to play while I am obviously too drunk to do anything of the sort, usualy by friends who are in bands. Generaly having a great time playing any instrument I can get my hands on!
That's it!
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-11-16 18:54
I am Bill Fogle, age 42, a professional editor. I never took lessons (enjoyed "Rob's" wonderful remarks), so I have been walking on eggshells in the clarinet community since I started posting to the old "Klarinet" mailing list around 1994/1995---always hoping to avoid being singled out by the relentless logic of Dan Leeson---I am a veteran of that "National Schools of Playing" thread (which was wonderful). Also like Rob, I have no idea how good or bad a player I am---for starters, I never learned to BREATHE, and I simply stop playing when I run out of breath (one thing I could never teach myself---how to *get air* and still play the instrument). I have played in an area community orchestra, but encountered so much unkindness, so great a lack of generosity, that after three seasons I left---the bad just no longer outweighed the good of playing in an orchestra (I was told I had a good tone---but I couldn't play "fast"). Playing clarinet is one of the best things (after several Scottish Terriers) in my life. --Bill.
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Author: Richard Fong
Date: 2001-11-16 19:21
I am Richard Fong, age 26, from Hong Kong. Clarinet life stoped at 1996, started again in March of 2001. I will spend all my life time to clarinet, I hope my name will write down by someone in the clarinet history. My wife is my clarinet, my life is my clarinet, the left of my road... clarinet.
Cheers.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-16 19:38
I just completed my 30th year teaching high school music/band and am now retired.(Hooray) However I still have a large group of private clarinet, saxophone and flute students.
I'm lucky enough to live in the beautiful Hamptons on the end of Long Island. We always eagerly await for the "celebrities" to depart after the summer season so life and traffic (and prices) can return to normal.
My undergrad degree was in clarinet performance, and my graduate degree was in music history. I am still an avid reader of books on music history with a special interest in the period 1750-1820. On the other end of the spectrum, I am a child of the late '50's and '60's and love to listen to Doo-Wop music.
My primary clarinet teacher was Dave Etheridge (now at Univ of Oklahoma) but have taken many Master classes on clarinet as well. I went to the last 6 or 7 US based Clarinetfests.
I play principal clarinet in a local regional orchestra, after realizing MANY years ago that the road to the major symphony job was just beyond my reach due to the dirth of truly fabulous players out there. But, I am extremely happy and get great satisfaction performing recitals and symphony concerts on the local level in this area.
Also, since I was about 14, I learned to play club dates by first starting in the Catskill mountains (New York). Now, when not teaching, I play weekend gigs (weddings, coctail parties) with Hal McKusick, Jim Chapin, Toots Thielmann, as the money is lucrative. I have also done some TV commercial work (eg: background music ESPN, etc...)
I am also play lead alto sax and am music director of a 40's style big band in the Hamptons: The Big Band East http://bigbandeast.tripod.com This keeps me very busy year round, but is especially hectic in the summer months.
However, my first love is playing the clarinet and the history of music...GBK
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2006 update: Three years ago I was asked to come out of teaching retirement and instruct woodwinds in a private school on Long Island. It has been lots of fun and I have some wonderful, dedicated students. Also, in 2003, Mark C asked me to help him as a co-moderator of the clarinet bulletin board. It takes a lot of time and reading, but is NEVER dull ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-11-16 20:21
I am Robert Rausch, 27 from South Carolina. I am married to a wonderful woman and have 3 cats. ( No children Yet ) I have been playing clarinet since the fourth grade and played through my college years at Clemson University. After college, I briefly gave up playing until recently after my wife and I bought our first house. I began playing again as a hobby and started collecting different kinds of clarinets.
Professionally, I am a Product Development Manager for Kyrus Corporation. I oversee the process of software and hardware development in the POS environment. In english, I sit in an office, drink coffee, attend meetings, read email, write reports & proposals, and make sure other people get the work done.
Corporate America, but hey, I get paid !
I own a Bb Buffet R13, an old Selmer Bb ( So old there is no Serial #), a Bb Resonite Bundy, a Full-Boehm Bb Selmer, a Normandy Wooden Eb, and an old "All American Made" metal Bb Clarinet.
This forum has been an excellent source of information for me.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-11-16 22:15
47 soon to be 48 (12/15). Married, two boys 13/10. The oldest is a percussionist, the youngest a dreamer. (I wish more of us could be like him.) Wife, Robyn, is a band director and plays saxophone. We actually met when I was directing at a middle school and she was attending the "rival" high school. Her parents brought her over to take saxophone lessons. Couldn't stand her because she would never practice......after she entered college her attitude (and perhaps interest) changed! Too busy to be on bulletin board as of late. Play saxophone, clarinet, and a passible flute. Jazz is my main idiom. Been in the repair business since 1975......full and part time. Remember.......be careful out there.
jbutler
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Author: Cindy (aka Jeanne)
Date: 2001-11-16 23:41
I feel so young!!!
I am 14 and a freshman in high school. I have been playing clarinet since fifth grade, started oboe in eighth, and very recently started tenor sax. Though I haven't been playing clarinet for long, I have been playing long enough to tell that I absolutely love it, and plan to major in music education. I am notorious in my band for begging for better clarinet pieces, and for taking teaching the section into my own hands. I am ever so grateful for all the advice everyone has given me off this board.
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Author: Danielle
Date: 2001-11-17 00:42
S'okay Cindy-I'm 14 and a frosh, too.
I've been playing the clarinet since I was nine, and started playing the saxaphone a year or so ago. I won the "women band directors of america middle school award" last year in my school because I'm not only a clarinetist, but a rampanbt feminist. I'm madly in love with the bari sax-I think it's 'cause I'm kinda petite. It makes me feel big and powerful enough to blow out the trumpet section in jazz band...
I study on saturdays (so, yes, I have school six days a week. I can't believe it either) at the Manhattan school of music prep program, and love it, so much more than regular school. I get driven in every saturday, and the drive's an hour. I study the clarinet there, as well as taking a composition class, and I'm in a jazz combo that's improving now that we're doing a kickass Louis Armstrong arragement of "when the saints go marching in", complete with REAL clarinet part.
I'm a terrible soloist, but I love playing in woodwind quintets, marching bands, and especially pit orchestras (thank you, "musical theater is god" summer performing arts camps). I want to study either music education (don'tcha just love high school band teachers?) or performance, and play in a broadway pit orchestra when "I grow up."
Um...I've played the guitar since I was seven, and my dad's an amatuer folksinger. I play mostly rock and pop. I'm not a huge fan of conventional classical music for the clarinet-I like jazz and more modern stuff.
I love the clarinet because of how it sounds, and it's a good looking instrument, too! Music people are the coolest of all.
I'm a liscensed band nerd, I guess. :-D (who can't spell liscense...)
Danielle
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Author: Mark Charette,
Date: 2001-11-17 01:06
bob gardner wrote:
>
> My highlite this year is that I roomed with Mark at the fest.
Bob - you need to get out more if that was your hilite ;^)
(Mark, the party animal who rarely got in before 2 AM 'cause he was out carousing with Andy Simon)
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Author: Mark Charette,
Date: 2001-11-17 01:22
C@p wrote:
> I once tried to steer what I thought were irrelevant
> comments from one thread about clarinets to their own thread
> and learned from that experience that Mark runs the board very
> well without my help.
LOL! Mostly the board runs itself - seldom do I have to rein anything in. The one drawback - and pleasure - to being the immoderate moderator is that I never get a chance to skip reading the postings.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-11-17 01:34
Mark the highlite was spending a couple of days with a very nice YOUNG lady from Va.
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Author: John
Date: 2001-11-17 01:46
I am John Gibson, 55, and work in a bank trust and investments department. I started playing clarinet about 45 years ago and never stopped. Guess it appeals to me. My wife and I graduated from the Univ. of Colorado with music degrees and I taught for about 8 years. Then I changed my tune, got an MBA, and went to work as a trust banker. My wife is music minister at our church, so she is understanding about the time I spend on music.
I still play on the R-13 Buffet I got in college so many years ago. I had it worked on and emersion-oiled by Larry Naylor, a Sneezy.com sponsor. It was like buying a new clarinet! I use a Bay mouthpiece with it and I also play a Patricola A clarinet that Charles Bay worked over. I have made a nice music career playing 2nd clarinet in orchestras in the Portland, Oregon area. I am on the foundation board for KBPS, our local public classical music radio station.
I am a Sneezy.com sponsor with my JB Linear Music publishing business. I don't have the time or inclination to play golf. The most recent music was Dvorak's 6th Symphony, Smetana's Sarka and next I going to have another chance at the Eb part to the Schostakovich 5th Symphony. Seeya!
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Author: Eb's daughter
Date: 2001-11-17 03:01
I'm a 15 year old female. I live in VA. I play Bb and Eb Clarinet (Buffet E-11 with Polycrystal Mouthpiece) and (student Buffet , B-12 I think?) I also have a selmer Eb Soprano. I've been playing since 6th grade (I'm a sophomore now). I have been playing piano since I was in 4th grade, and I absolutely love the piano. I especially like Mozart. I want to be a Music Therapist. Thanks for all of you people's help..
~Sarah~
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Author: Sandra Franklin Habekost
Date: 2001-11-17 03:58
Come'on Mark, tell us about yourself! What about all you pros out there? If we are lucky, we might even get a great faux bio from the owner of the Munich Museum clarinets (who added a couple of tone holes...) Sandra
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Author: Julia
Date: 2001-11-17 04:51
Mark wrote:
< being the immoderate moderator is that I never get a chance to skip reading the postings.>
Mark,
I have a question just out of pure curiousity. How in the world do you possibly have the time to sit and read every single post????
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2001-11-17 22:30
I am a grad student music major. I actually have two bachelor's degrees, my first in Psychology from Stanford, and my second in Music from Cal State Long Beach. During my time at Stanford, I pretty much gave up the clarinet and wanted to be a clinical psychologist. Then when I moved to LA to start my Psych. PhD program, I ended up leaving, starting up clarinet again, changing my major to Music, and starting over with my 2nd BA. Music was always my passion, since I first played in the San Diego Youth Symphony in high school, but it took me until I was 22 to get the guts to pursue my dream, as well as the maturity to discipline myself for the necessary hours, weeks, years of consistent practice. I ****LOVE**** the clarinet and I love classical music, esp. Stravinsky and Mahler, who are my favorite composers. I am hoping to someday play in an orchestra, 2nd/Eb would be my favorite position, so be looking for me!
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Author: Andy
Date: 2001-11-18 05:17
I'm 20 and live in Canberra, Australia. I grew up in Melbourne, but moved here to learn off Alan Vivian at the Canberra School of Music. I have been playing since I was 8 and my main focus is solo, chamber and orchestral performance.
I have been to three National Music Camps in this country (soon to be 4) and toured with the Australian Youth Orchestra to Europe earlier this year where we played with Vladimir Ashkenazy. Next I am also playing in the AYO for next year.
I play heaps of Bass Cl. and have recently just purchased a Buffet Prestige Low C instrument. My setup on soprano is: Bufffet RC, Greg Smith Kasper Cicero mpc, V12 3 1/2's.
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-11-18 07:09
17 y/o HS senior from Southern NJ. I started playing clarinet in 4th grade, only because my mother wouldn't let me play trumpet - a boy's instrument. I played steadily until high school when I was handed an alto clarinet.. then a bass. Now I play all three in one day at least once a week. I play first soprano in marching band, bass in concert band, and I belong to the Bonsal Blues Military Concert (alto) and Marching Bands (soprano). Right now I'm currently involved with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I'm finishing up the college application process while keeping up with homework and the like. I'm looking at Rutgers University to major in Journalism, mainly. On the backburner are TCNJ (formerly Trenton State) and the University of Delaware. My main goal - get through this year without pulling my hair out.. it's tough dealing with "senior stress" when your closest friends are already off at college. I feel like half of my life is spent online and on the phone keeping in touch with people. Who am I to complain, though? =)
Don't count on me to ever offer much pertinent info, but I try my best.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-18 07:13
In a nutshell... I wanted to play the violin but, for some reason I can't remember now, that didn't materialize.
Started playing clarinet in fourth grade, continued through high school - two years band, two years orchestra. Played in local symphony orchestra, dance bands (doubling on saxes) and worked in an instrument repair shop, took up cornet for the fun of it. After graduation, enlisted in U.S. Air Force as a bandsman, one year in California, three in Germany. After discharge, continued playing - dance bands, night clubs (incl country western), community band, anywhere else just for fun. I love to improvise.
Married (36 yrs, wife and three sons. Sidelined music for steadier work, finally settling into graphic artist position with California state printing plant for 22 years. Retired five years ago, took up clarinet and instrument repair again. My main instrument, by the way, is Oehler (or Albert) system but in a pinch I can play Boehm.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2001-11-18 15:03
I'm 42 years old and have been a working musician since 1979. Although I majored in clarinet in college, my primary area of interest is jazz and this has led mostly to work as a saxophonist. My main band is a four-horn R&B/variety band where the other saxophonist is also an expatriate clarinetist, and we do what we can to promote the instrument in the hostile environment of pop music. We both also play in a big band when the schedule permits.
Being a clarinet player has opened some interesting doors, though, and has led to some very fun orchestral and theatre work--including a tour of the US and Europe with a neat little jazz revue called Blackbirds of Broadway. I've also played in dixieland and German bands, but that work is thin here and I belong to several community bands to keep my clarinet chops in shape.
My current day job is a stable of around 40 students on clarinet, sax and flute. I run a chamber music program for them in the summer, and much of my spare time is spent arranging music and making worksheets for them in Sibelius and Noteworthy Composer.
Projects on the burner right now include a first year clarinet program for home schoolers which includes both private lessons and small-group playing, with computer support. I also maintain a website with learning activities for young players who are interested in playing by ear and developing their jamming skills on band or orchestra instruments. (www.jamschool.net)
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Author: jr
Date: 2001-11-18 23:41
I am 48, I manage a distribution center for a bicycle distributor and manufacturer. I started playing clarinet in 3rd grad, started college at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and 10 years later got my bachelors in Music from San Jose State, where I worked in the instrument room. I joined the union and played a handful of gigs before chucking it all and getting a job. I quit playing for 10 years, then started playing (5 yrs ago) at my wifes church. Currently, I play in a community orchestra and any Pit Orch. gigs I can find. Life is good, but I live for Monday night rehersals.
Jesse Rogers
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Author: Gerald Taylor
Date: 2001-11-19 00:52
I am a 40 yr old software engineer and configuration manager who tends to spend way too much time at work... I used to play clarinet what must have been about 30 years ago, but after a couple of bad cases of stage fright in performances dropped out. A couple of years ago I wanted to get back into music and picked up a guitar... I like the instrument, but seem all thumbs playing it. So, I picked up my old clarinet. I was amazed I still remembered how to play it - it was somehow, natural. I played it a few months, but I never really liked the sound of that instrument. It was a decent student horn, but the tuning was all over the place and the sound left something to be desired. So, I spent a few months shopping around for a horn I really wanted, and found myself unable to part with a particular Prestige, so I parted with the cash instead. I've been enjoying it ever since. I like getting into a groove and improvising whatever comes to mind, and letting my fingers follow. It relaxes me.
I'm also a former all-American archer, occasionally an archery coach with some reputation as an equipment specialist, president of the Virginia Archery Association, organizer for a major national team ranking event, a traditional bowyer, and a rather good amateur gemcutter (the only field I know of where the amateurs are rated a lot better than the professionals, and with good cause). I probably missed a few things somewhere...
Needless to say, it seems I hardly sleep, and live alone.
Gerald Taylor
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-19 01:57
I am a poor clarinetist.
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2001-11-19 03:32
I am 48 yrs old and live in Burlington Wa which is approx 2 hrs drive north of Seattle. I played clarinet from the 5th grade until junior year of high school until flying got in the way of music. Layed off for about 25 years and started back up when my wife went back to school. It's amazing how it all came back (or never really left) The taverns got boring and nobody knew how to shoot good pool. I am an electromagnetic interference engineer for Boeing. (It's my fault that you have to turn off all those electronic devices when flying). I currently play 1st clarinet in a community band and 2nd in a semi-pro symphony along with some bass clarinet. I play Selmer series 10s and think they are better than Buffet. My bass is just a student Vito, but works pretty good. I like to work on horns as I'm currently restoring an old metal horn. If I had to give some advice???? To the young ones.... don't quit playing even if you know you're not going to really do anythig with it. When you get older, you will be glad you kept on. I don't post to much until I see posts that I think I can really contribute to and it will have good discussion.
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Author: Simon Peerless
Date: 2001-11-19 10:13
I'm a 48 yr old accountant working in the Group Accounts dept of a large UK bank in London. I started learning the clarinet this summer after becoming envious of the fun my two sons were having (the older is a *percussionist*, not just a *drummer*, and the younger plays trumpet and bass guitar).
This bulletin board has been a tremendous source of information - and opinions - on clarinet, and it really does provide tremendous encouragement to see the wealth of experience and advice that is freely offered. I know I'm still at a very basic level and there's much hard practice to do before I can think of playing in a band or anything (and finding time to practice is one of the hardest things), and it may be a bit presumptuous to call myself a clarinettist yet, but it certainly gives a sense of community.
Thanks, Simon
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-11-19 13:35
I'm pleased to see how many '40-ish' clarinetists there are on the list (being one myself). And quite a few in my home state of Virginia --- howdy, y'all! And I include Don Berger and Bob Arney on the 40-ish list......You guys think young, and that's good!
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-11-19 14:27
Dave, now you got me do9ng it---. The tune has been running through my head but I can't remember the bridge. Think Nat King Cole sang it...
"Dave tried to tell me I think young,
But all my bones and joints are sprung........."
Bob A
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Author: Bob
Date: 2001-11-20 16:20
Hi, I'm just plain Bob..age 72,retired Metallurgical/Materials Engineer and "jack of most trades". I played grade and h.s. bands for 8 years from 1939-47 and then never touched a horn until a year ago...a used Yamaha. Then our h.s. decided to form an "alum band" and I joined and had a ball. Bought a new horn and now play with our junior college comm.band and love it. I try to maintain my own horn and reeds because I'm an original "do-it-yourselfer". Enjoy most of the submittals and appreciate the good "tips". I am rather opinionated at times like most old geezers.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-20 17:02
Bob wrote: " I am rather opinionated at times like most old geezers."
No problem...so are us "young" geezers...GBK
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Author: Bea Starr
Date: 2001-11-24 16:23
I am a 14 yr old clarinetist. I've been playing since 5th grade. I'm the "shy" quiet type, who gets yelled at for not playing loud enough in band. I also play alto sax in jazz band and a little piano on my own. I go to a school that does not fund their music department very much-and way over funds their @#$% sports department. (sorry, I always get pissed when I talk about that) I am currently working on the Mozart Concerto for a spring solo competition. I plan on majoring in music in college. That's all for now!!-Bea
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2001-11-25 05:11
Wow! That's really weird. Bea, You sound a lot (creepily a lot) like me. I'm 14, and have been playing clarinet since 5th grade. I have always gotten yelled at for not playing loud enough, play the sax (tenor, though) in jazz band, our school is underfunded in the music department, I have been preparing the Mozart Clarinet concerto for a solo, and I plan in majoring in music in college. That's really creepy. I read this and thought I was the one who posted it. Coincidence, I think not. I already responded to this post, but I thought this was strange.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-21 04:08
I'm a 38 year old marketing guy - former pro musican - saw the light and took up office work. Have just started playing the clarinet recently after a hiatus of about 15 years - regrets? My biggest regret is having sold my beautiful, nay - wonderful Selmer Series 9*. I now own a Leblanc, which I'm happy with. I compose (have written a set of four pieces of clarinet ensemble), conduct (musicals mainly) and can't live without at least listening to one CD each day. I also play viola and piano. I'm a nice guy, really - but if you give me grief I'll give it back. I've met some really good friends here (who will remain nameless), learned a lot and love to read the posts of the "new" clarinetists and their trials and tribulations.
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Author: Swing Band Queen Katai Katai
Date: 2002-04-07 08:32
7th grade student. Draws, writes, plays the following instruments:clarinet, tenor sax, piano. Devotes life to perfectionism at all I do. Desperately wants her own swing band where she can be the clarinet playing bandleader, and to get out of braces so that the upper altissimo register won't cut her lip when she plays in it. Does several anime stories. Devotes large amounts of time to music, including sax and piano lessons and self- taught clarinet. Plus I blare Benny Goodman's songs through our speaker or my walkman just about 24/7. And, for the record, my favorite song on the whole dang planet is "Sing, Sing, Sing" My goal is to be a sax & clarinet player. And I want a gyrfalcon to go hunting with! My goal at the moment is not to drive myself crazy trying to drive perfection out of my quartet through evil glares and empty threats to take their reeds. And the one thing I want to be able to do is do a gliss perfectly, since my sax playing has taught me how to perfect my bends.
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Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2006-09-03 20:50
This is very old thread but I find it very interesting because it gives you
a chance to know other member better.
I noticed some old members doesn't post anymore and many new members were not there.
So if you don't mind...
I'm 51, married to a former high school music teacher for 26 yrs.
I have a son in Calif. He played violin at high school but not any more.
I'm a amateur player for a long time going nowhere,I justed started lessons
with a very good teacher(Carolee Smith).
I studied physics at graduate level .But now I'm a full time violin maker and
repairman for 22 years in Chicago. I made about 60 violins and a couple of
celli so far.
I listen only classical and mostly piano music.
My other interests are cameras,audio equipments and all other musical
instruments.(I also tune pianos.)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-09-03 21:55
I was the second person to post to this thread, back in 2001, so here is an update.....
I am an IT consultant aged 49 and live in a village in Sussex, England but commute weekly to Maidenhead in Berkshire. I am married; my wife was a pretty good pianist long ago, and one reason I started playing the clarinet is to encourage her to play the piano with me. (Fat chance....)
I played the recorder since age 8 and used to be tolerably good, but rarely practice now. I played the ("French") horn from age 11 to 17, not very well. I've been trying to learn the piano since age 20, but find it astonishingly difficult.
I took up the clarinet in April 2001, practise a lot, but after the first few months of rapid progress find it hard to improve as fast as I would like. I can now play the Brahms sonatas, Schumann Fantasy pieces..... with plenty of slips and poor notes and interpretative difficulties...... not to be heard in public, not to be heard at all if you have any sense.
Since May 2005 I've also been learning the trombone - huge fun but hugely frustrating. I have regular lessons on the 'bone from an orchestral pro, but haven't had a clarinet lesson since 2003.
Equipment: Leblanc Concerto Bb clarinet, Vandoren M15/88, Vandoren Optimum ligature, Rico Evolution #3 or Gonzalez FoF #3.25 reeds. Yamaha 354 trombone.
Musical interests: 99% classical to listen to, but enjoy playing jazz styles on the 'bone.
Pet hates: people who say "horn" to mean "clarinet", "sax", flute" etc. (there's a lot of that around here.) People who say "French horn" to mean "horn". People who launch into long psychological diatribes on bulletin boards. (I've left this paragraph unchanged from 2001.)
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
Post Edited (2006-09-03 21:56)
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Author: george
Date: 2006-09-03 22:54
For David Peacham.
From The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary:
horn: a wind instrument
Live with it!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-09-03 23:28
GBK - Rereading and Seeing your 2006 Update, and a 2001 compliment from Dave S [Bob A and I "thinking young", thereby being 40'ish] , I thot I should respond like Sam Clemons {Mark 2} "Rumors of my demise are somewhat exaggerated" !! I [we] have turned 87, live in a retirement "village", BUT, I am trying to graduate from bass cl to alto cl in Tulsa comm band, [its lighter, not really easier], and at times face the sight-transposition from Bb [bass] parts to my Eb, just think I'm playing Bari or alto Sax! I'm having much enjoyment doing MINOR repair jobs and meeting "newbies" while explaining "grease the corks lightly" and "practice crossing the break" by 76 Tmbs from open G. Much FUN, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-09-04 00:11
Attachment: Band.jpg (226k)
It looks like I haven't done this yet....
Retired, after a career with a major oil and chemical company, sometimes teach a university business course, just turned 61 last month.
Started playing clarinet in high school in 1959, sax a few years later
Started and led a Swing band in 1962, which was fun and successful (even played a radio program) until we split up to go to different universities.
Played with the Etobicoke Symphony Orchestra for a short time while still in high school
Played in the university orchestra, met future wife (a tenor sax player)there, got a BA (Psychology) and MBA, should have studied music instead.... oh well....
Have helped elementary and high school teachers with their students, which was very intrinsically rewarding
Play in a swing quartet (saxes/clarinet, keyboard, bass, drums)
Play 1st Alto sax and clarinet in a Big Band swing orchestra, called Silver Swing, for seniors 55+
I enjoy most types of music when it's played well. Notable exceptions are rap and hip-hop.
Most of my favourite musicians are dead. Artie Shaw is my favourite clarinet player, although as a person he seems to have been rather screwed up and I probably would not have liked him.
This BB is one of the most interesting and useful things that I can think of.
The picture is from 1964. I'm wearing the white jacket.
Hans
Post Edited (2006-09-05 00:12)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-09-04 00:34
Good -lookin' sax trio [and a couple others], Hans, alto/tenor/bari?, in my {wall-located} pic [here] I was on tenor also, FUN, good ole days ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: swkeess
Date: 2006-09-04 00:45
I know that this is an old thread, however, I must say that I have learned a lot since joining this bulletin board two years ago. Thank you especially to Don Berger, GBK, Dave Spiegelthal, Walter Grabner, Brenda S., Mark Charette and David Peacham for various insights into the realm of clarinet playing.
I am 55 years old and a U.S. citizen living in Montreal, Quebec. I had the privilege to have David Etheridge as a teacher in 1969-1970 when I was a music major in Potsdam, New York. Unfortunately, as a naive freshman, no one had told me that it was impossible to major on alto clarinet, which was my primary instrument all through junior and senior high school. Of course, this was something I should have known at the time but it just didn't seem to sink in. By the time I finished my first year in college I realized that I had lost too much time in serious soprano clarinet experience to ever hope to graduate as a music major, so I switched to psychology. Never picked up a clarinet again from 1970 until 1995, when I joined a local community band. Now I am happily suffering from GAS with the latest acquistion of an e flat clarinet to round out my collection of two bass clarinets (1 Yamaha low E flat and 1 Buffet 1193 low C), one alto clarinet (old Buffet Prestige), one A clarinet (vintage 1970 Buffet), and one B flat R13 (newer 43XXXX model). Walter Grabner's mouthpieces for all of them, which is icing on the cake. I play regularly in a very good community band and in an equally talented clarinet trio, as well as occasionally in a clarinet quintet and community orchestra. Life is good since I returned to music and I count my blessings that I rediscovered the joy of music performance.
Susan Keess
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-09-04 01:16
Attachment: Catskills.jpg (352k)
Here is an old photo from the mid 1960's of the house band at one of the hotels in the Catskills (NY).
Notice the tenor saxophonist in the cool outfit ...GBK
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Author: Cuisleannach
Date: 2006-09-04 02:09
Hello, I'm a 34 year-old analyst and music teacher. My first wife was a flutist which is why my second is non-musical. I have a 16 year-old son, a 1 year-old daughter, and a son (we think) on the way.
I've played clarinet, piano, and recorder my entire life and I studied clarinet performance in college and currently have a small studio of clarinet, piano, and recorder students. I have done work as clarinet repair technician. I currently have a pay job at a church and play with a number of chamber groups as well.
I work for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as an analyst who specializes in mathematical statisitics, vector and tensor analysis, and modeling. I've done a wide set of modeling including limb mechanics and workspaces, fluid dynamics models, and physical activity detection. I'm a distinct nerd who has a collection of slide rules (and I use them, too) and an abacus at my desk. I have recently cut back to part time so that I can spend time with my daughter and soon-to-be son. My wife is a researcher at Mayo.
I swear by my Buffet. Sometimes I even swear at it!
-Randy
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-09-04 02:28
I am 17 years old and am a senior in high school this year. For the most part, my life essentially revolves around the band program at my school -- I'm in marching band, pep band, I play with the orchestra, and I'm in Wind Ensemble. This upcoming spring break, our Wind Ensemble is touring Costa Rica -- I am very excited about that. I don't take private lessons, but I am an avid clarinetist nonetheless and have a great passion for the clarinet itself. On the side, I love foreign languages and currently specialize in studying Japanese. I love asian culture and hope to tour asia someday in the future -- perhaps study abroad in college. I love science, especially biology, chemistry and physics, and hope to study biochemistry/biophysics in college so that I can do medical research, such as protein engineering, which I am particularly fond of at the moment.
I hope to someday do research at a prodigious laboratory, perhaps at the Mayo Clinic (CuisLeannach...) since I live in the Minneapolis metropolitan area in Minnesota. I adore Minnesota a great amount.
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-09-04 02:54
Don,
Yes, that's a baritone on the left, plus two altos, a tenor, a trombone, two trumpets, and not visible in the photo were the drummer, guitar, and piano. I still have those stands... it seems like yesterday....
Regards,
Hans
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-09-04 05:18
I'm mid-twenties, work in the electronic gaming industry and play clarinet as a hobby. I used to play from 5th grade to 12th, continued for about a year, then stopped and picked it back up about about a year or so ago. I take private lessons now and it has been fun. I don't practice as much as I should.
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Author: ajhogan
Date: 2006-09-04 09:04
I am a freshman at my local community college. I started clarinet in fourth grade, and became serious in ninth grade. I want to pursue a degree in clarinet performance and music education. I hope to stay in music throughout my life in one form or another.
Austin Hogan
Austin
Post Edited (2011-11-05 03:59)
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Author: hinotehud ★2017
Date: 2006-09-04 14:27
I am 60 yrs. old. I earned a masters in ww perofrmance from Mich. St. University in '71 with a clar. major. I retired from teaching band & orch in Greenville MI a couple of years ago. I lost my LH middle finger in '73 from burns when the mast of a sailboat hit an overhead wire.
I continued to play, first with an artificial finger, but later by just moving my fingers up a hole. I can roll my LH pinky to hit the C#/G# key. I practiced maybe 3-4 hours a month if I had something coming up.
About 1 1/2 years ago I rekindled my passion for playing on a serious level so now I try to get in 2-3 hours of practice a day. I played in a recital last April with my niece from Tucson AZ and a former student, both working on a masters in clar. performance from MSU.
I play alto and clar. in a big band, 1st clar. in the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, our local community band, I played clarinet quartets all last year with a string trio of retired teachers, and I play solos whenever I can at local churches.
When I discovered this BB a few years ago, it really helped bring me up to speed on what was happening in the clarinet world. Thanks to all of you who contribute and monitor this site.
Keith Hudson
Post Edited (2006-09-05 02:03)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-09-04 15:05
Hi Keith H - I'm happy to hear about music and clarinet playing in my OLD home State and MSU, I was in the MSC band in 1938-9 [Chem Eng classes prevented more]. I dont have to look for Greenville on a map, my father came from BIG Rapids, mother from Altona, Mecosta cty., ?still there?. I admire your adaptation to the loss of finger. Enjoy cl's and saxes, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: SimpsonSaxGal
Date: 2006-09-04 17:47
Well. I'm now 20 years old. I still go to Simpson College, but I have no clue what I'm going to major in. All I know at this point is that I have a music minor. And the sad thing is is that no matter how hard I try to spend less time at the music building, I spend more and more time there. I just agreed to take clarinet lessons from Kariann Voigts, just to officially learn about the clarinet. All that I know so far is what I taught my self, and a little bit about what I learned on here. I'm playing the bass and contrabass clarinets in our band, and I'll be playing in the clarinet choir, instrument not yet determined. My saxophone has been sitting in my locker broken since February. I don't play it much at all.
I joined Delta Delta Delta, and it's been absolutely wonderful. I love all of my sisters. I had a boyfriend, but broke up with him in January. My two roommates are some of the best women ever. I've been struggling with depression off and on since October, and these two ladies, plus a few more sisters, have saved me numerous times. I'm finally in with a counselor that i think I can work well with. And I just realized that this is TMI.
I know that I don't usually post too often, but there are quite a few posts that I really enjoy reading.
And finally, this is random, but I could use some tips on how to teach someone some tricks about the bass clarinet. This girl is last in our section of 3, and that's because she has never played clarinet before. She has played bari sax, so she understands the reed and such. The way the bass she's playing works is that it must be used with a neckstrap (pole doesn't secure). I think she's using a reed given to her by our director, no idea which type.
Thanks for letting me get some stuff out, and I enjoy reading all of your stories.
Kimberly
Kimberly Karwath
Bb, Bass, and Contrabass
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-09-04 18:54
I'm 42 and work as an IT systems engineer (whatever that means - everything needed to "make it work"). My wife learned classical guitar eons ago but doesn't play any more, my older daughter started piano last week, the younger one wants to become a drummer.
Went through agonising recorder lessons (soprano and alto) in my elementary school time. Had a longish hiatus where I only played grammophone and plucked on a bass guitar some time but never "made it". Started clarinet roughly one year ago. Browsed That Auction Site and thought "that would be neat. I want one."...
I'm not a very active or frequent music listener; I developed a certain interest in old traditionals, have the usual collection of CDs from Arno over Brandwein over Sex Pistols to ZZ Top. I somehow prefer Bach over Schumann, Beatles over Stones, Phil Glass over Stockhausen and just love Puccini operas.
--
Ben
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Author: Scott S
Date: 2006-09-04 22:10
I live in Minnesota and recently began a new music career teaching 5th grade band. I had been teaching in Northern Minnesota for 26 years teaching 5-12th grade bands. My playing the clarinet has been a lifelong joy, having grown up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and performing with some fantastic high school bands. I continued my education at Minnesota State University-Moorhead and achieved a BA/BS degree in Music Education/Performance. Then I attained my Masters Degree in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.
It was there that I met Gregory Smith, who basically changed my clarinet-playing life through his assistance and the purchase of my new Greg Smith mouthpiece and Chadash barrel.
I had played in the Heartland Symphony Orchestra of Brainerd and Little Falls for 24 years. And just recently (like four days ago!!!) auditioned and was invited to participate in the Grand Symphonic Winds of St. Paul, Minnesota. I will be playing the bass clarinet for my first time -- in that organization.
I have played in numerous pit orchestras in Brainerd, Pine River, and Pequot Lakes, Minnesota throughout the years. "West Side Story," "Fiddler on the Roof", "Music Man", "Into the Woods", "King and I", "Kiss Me Kate", "She Loves Me" and about 15 others.
And! I am a happy dad, husband, and traveler. I travel whenever I can to the mountains to backpack and toss a line into the water as a fly fisherman. Well, not like those guys in "A River Runs Through It"! My line tends to catch things above the water quite often.
Travels have taken me to Scotland, India, and Turkey. My wife and kids are #1 in my life.
My goal? To see Mt. Everest via a trek!
All my best!
Scott
Minnesota
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Author: beejay
Date: 2006-09-04 22:44
I contribute to this bulletin board from time time to time, so perhaps I ought to add to this enormously long thread and tell you a little bit about myself.
I have been playing the clarinet for about eight years. I live between Paris and Versailles. and play in our local conservatory orchestra, with which I travelled to Chicago a couple of years ago and to Latvia last year.
I retired this year after 48 straight years in wire service and newspaper journalism to do a master's degree in musicology with the Open University in England. In fact, I should stop this right now and get back to an essay on ethnomusicology which is due tomorrow.
Anyway, I wanted to say hi to you all -- some of whom I seem to know quite well already. The bulletin board is a great tonic when I get depressed about all the peaks I still have to climb to become a good clarinettist.
By the way, I have a soundproof room in the basement, which helps explain why I am still happily married after 43 years.
I also have a basset horn, which is my real favorite, but have never found anyone to play it with.
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-09-04 23:35
At this point in my life, the autumnal years, my goals are to be active and stay happy.
Lately, I’ve been tearing up carpeting from the living room, cleaning and polishing the oak floor that was hidden beneath the carpet, repairing and painting the walls and ceiling, and redecorating. I enjoy working with my wife on our home.
I play doubles tennis, usually three sets, twice a week. I walk at least two mile most days when I don’t play tennis. I also golf at least once a week.
I take pleasure in time on the computer and keep two blogs, some webpages, and a flickr account.
Most of all I look forward to the time I practice and play my clarinet. I’m indebted to the director of our community concert band, who talked me into returning to play. I hope to expand my playing opportunities by playing in some pit orchestras, jazz groups, and small clarinet ensembles. The BBoard helps me feel as though I am a member of a community of people passionate about clarinets and music. I am beholden to many of you for information and inspiration. Thank you.
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Author: DHsu87
Date: 2006-09-05 00:07
I want to say to the creators of the BBoard what an excellent resource this BBoard is for me. It's great to see all different kinds of people share their knowledge and experiences on this forum.
I am 18 years old and I am majoring in clarinet performance and hopefully minoring in business at USC. I started clarinet in the fourth grade during "choose your instrument" day. Only in my senior year of high school did I really decide I wanted to study it in college. My dream is to play in a pro orchestra.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2006-09-05 00:32
This 'Who are you?' -type of threads came and went. I remember I posted one, but here's an update:
Korean-English interpreter-translator for the last 10 years, I started my ph.D. course in TESOL (teaching Eng to speakers of other language) this year.
This BBoard has been of tremendous help both for my clarinetting and English. I'm still so grateful to fellow bboarders who kindly explained words and music terms that I didn't understand. I'm definitely with those who say 'pursuing interest areas and hobbies can motivate you to learn/use the foreign language(s)'.
Started serious clarinet playing in 2003. Have had two wonderful teachers, am active in 2 amateur ensembles (one with strings, the other woodwind).
I also started to collect music DVDs this year. Not many, though, I still enjoy them. My favorites include: Carmen (Baltsa,Carreras), Verdi operas (haven't seen all), A.L. Webber musical excerpts. The most recent purchase is Mahler's Symphony no.2: the only reason I chose it was Sabine Meyer was playing in it.
Thank you, Mark, GBK and others for your quality contribution to this board.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: Bill G
Date: 2006-09-05 00:41
I'm Bill Gamble, a 79 year old lawyer who's practiced 56 years and hasn't gotten the hang of it yet, but have received more honors than I deserve. I started on clarinet at age 10, with an Albert system horn and the assistance of a friend at church who helped me find a method book, showed me how to put a reed on the mouthpiece, and how to hold the instrument. From there I learned in public school orchestras and bands, taking my clarinet home only for summer breaks.
Thanks to a great high school band director whose experience as a professional cornetist went back to days in the Army with Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, I became sufficiently proficient to play professional engagements during high school, such as circuses, ice shows, etc. He helped me learn sax and some brass instruments.
I played in dance bands in the Navy at the end of WW2, and continuously thereafter in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Kingsport, Tennessee, until about three years ago, with occasional gigs with name big bands, travelling shows, etc. Developed in jazz in Navy, and have enjoyed continuously since then. Have presented many history of jazz shows supported by other musicians; received award from the Tennessee Arts Commision for a series of over 200 free jazz shows which I presented; honored earlier this year by an area college as one of three "Statesmen of Jazz". Also played two years in community symphony orchestra, churches, brass choirs, etc.
My son was full time drummer for several years and continues to play on a regular part-time basis. One daughter sang with my band while she was in college, and my wife is an accomplished classical singer. She and I have sung toghether in church choirs and community choruses for many years, and earilier this year had the pleasure of singing in a large chorus, accompanied by a large orchestra , in Carnegie Hall.
I have been largely innactive with my dance band for the past three years because of illnesses, but hope to get back into action. I commenced clarinet lessons for the first time about three years ago, trying to unlearn all the wrong things people have been paying me to do all these years. I discovered this bulletin board about the same time and very much enjoy the helpful postings. Wish I could help more. Thanks to all.
Bill Gamble
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-09-05 14:02
Another lawyer? That's me. 34-years-old, taking up the clarinet for the first time this past spring. Moving slowly (much work, two small children, lot's of other obligations), but enjoying it immensely. Much encouraged by this board and the willing and cheerful help I always receive here.
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: Sharon
Date: 2006-09-05 18:05
I'm a 44-year old librarian in the UK and always wanted to be a really good violinist. My mum bought me a recorder when I was about 6 to pacify me - that didn't work. I then had piano lessons from the age of 8 (and got to grade 8), but when I was 14 I had clarinet lessons (the only available instruments at school) and, finally, violin lessons. I've since taught myself the tenor sax over the last 3 years. I'm far worse on the violin so my aspirations were never realised - it's far too hard to play in tune!. I play the clarinet in a community band and the sax in music workshops. I tinkle along on the piano when I'm supposed to be dusting it! My musical tastes vary tremendously - rock favourites are David Bowie, U2, Tom McRae, Paul Weller, Elliot Smith, and classical favourites include Mozart, Brahms, Arvo Part, Rachmaninov, Shostakovitcvh, Philip Glass, etc. Jan Garbarek and Claude Challe are new finds which don't fit into either category.
My claims to fame are meeting Jack Brymer back stage, Emma Johnson signing a programme and having Brian Eno's cousin as our community conductor - do these count as Andy Warhol's 15 minutes?
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-09-05 19:25
Hello, everyone. I'll be 60 in a couple of weeks, started on clarinet in elementary school, and played it until high school where in 1962 I decided to go out for football my senior year and quit band. At 6 foot 2 inches and 145 pounds, all I did was keep a very small spot warm on the bench.
I didn't play clarinet from 1962 until this summer -- like FDF above, the director of our new community band talked me into joining the band. Now I'm beating the bass drum while I take clarinet lessons. My el cheapo student instruments are: Buffet B12 w/Riffault mpc; old wooden Artley w/Noblet 2v mpc; old wooden Selmer w/Woodwinds Imperial mpc; Bundy bass w/no-name plastic mpc. Waiting on arrival of Eb alto from the unmentionable auction site. I also still have my Boosey & Hawkes from old school days and hope to rebuild it for sentimental reasons. Meanwhile, the bass drum is borrowed.
I work for the county doing the administrative work for our local recycling center . . . one of the clarinets is kept at work where I often go in early, and stay late, so I can practice without disturbing anyone who knows what music is supposed to sound like. Someday, if my ship comes in (and I'm not at the airport), I hope to buy a REAL clarinet like those I read about on this BB!!
Eu
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Author: Ted
Date: 2006-09-05 20:37
Hi All- I'm Ted , well into and almost out of my fifties. I've had a great life playing music since eleven years old,most of that on clarinet. I've played professionally, taught school, traveled abroad, raised a family, enjoyed mother nature, battled with health, gone through enough reeds to build a bamboo Taj Mahal, played lots of great music and enough bad to know the difference. I've had great teachers
(R.I.P. Augustin Duques, David Webber) , terrific students, wonderful friends, fantastic family, owned enough instruments to supply a marching band and loved every minute of the pleasure and pain of practicing and performing. If I had to do it all over again I'd sign up immediately, long tones- finger exercises et al.
I'm going to keep playing till it gets embarrassing, and hope by then I'll be too far gone to care. They're going to bury me with a plastic clarinet (and a good reed!) for the next life or reduce me to ashes on a funeral pyre of old instruments big enough for a Viking King. The world is constantly changing. It seemed like the generation before us had many more opportunities to play and appreciate live music. I hope we're leaving a world where the next generation can create a music that's more personal than digital. Peace out all and keep the groove going. - TD
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Author: Bill G
Date: 2006-09-06 02:10
Ted"s statement that they are going to bury him with a cheap plastic clarinet reminded me of one of my all-time favorite cartoons. It showed two angels floating around in the billowy clouds, decked out with the requisite wings and white gowns. Both were holding harps. One asks the other: "Are there any days you wish you had a saxophone?" Ted, at least you will be well equipped!. Bill G.
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2006-09-06 16:59
I'm close to 44 (11/11) this year, and it's about 34 year ago that I started playing the clarinet. After a very active 'hobby' clarinet life until I was 25 (I completed all levels of 'music school' here - it can be compared more or less to undergraduate I think), I had a less active period (but still playing in a wind band every week) during my married life.
When this came to an end about 2 years ago (divorce) , I took up the old habit again, and now play in 2 wind bands (one really good - 80 up players - take a peek at www.harmonie-schelle.net, where you can meet me on some pictures :-) go for 'fotoalbum' to see pictures of the orchestra) a symphonic orchestra (not bad either) and a woodwind quintet.
All of this just for fun, because I - luckily quite early - realized that making a living out of music would have been hard for me. So I became an electronic engineer and work for the biggest compressor manufacturar in the world (that is located here in Antwerp - for the US guys it's not Ingersol Rand), so somehow 'air pressure and flow' is a major part of my life ;-)
I have 3 kids. An almost 12 year old girl that is now playing clarinet for 3 years (and quite well I must say) and 8 year old twins (boy and girl) that start there musical career right now at the local music school.
Afterall I think I have the greatest hobby of all, and music is really everywhere in my life (mostly classic). If I don't take care of the kids (part time after the divorce) then I'm somewhere playing !
2 years ago I also started playing the bass. I bought myself a nice Buffet Prestige and call it my 'midlife crises' acquisition. While most men go for a motorbike, I did it a bit softer, but it gives me even more fun ...
Post Edited (2006-09-06 17:02)
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2006-09-06 18:19
I'm ___ years old (age is unlisted) and a lot of times say things on this board I shouldn't. But this little paragraph should be okay. I started playing clarinet at age 9. My father played sax and clarinet in the big bands and then went on to be a band director in Minnesota and he was my teacher. I bought my Buffett in 1972. I'm still playing it. Right now I'm a substitute player in three different Trad Jazz bands in the Bay Area, but one of the banjo/guitar players has started a new band, and I'm THE clarinetest. Yay for me. We also have an offshoot of his band with three players called Carol's Cats. Our Cats got our first gig for October. I jam three times a month here in the Bay Area Trad Jazz circuit. That means the jammers play between sets of the hired bands. Last Sunday was Jammers Day in Santa Rosa, and only jammers were there. I have never had so much fun! I don't now how to post a picture on this board but many were taken that day. The only song we fell completely apart on was "Sweet Substitute." Well stuff happens.
I enjoy this board immensely and have gotten so much information from reading these posts, it's like a gold mine! And hopefully I have helped a few people with what I contribute.
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