 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bsharp
Date: 2026-01-07 18:48
I am increasing aware, now in my late 70’s, that my ability to securely execute longish passages of notes has diminished significantly.
I am still successful if the passages are scales or arpeggios (that have been drilled in over 65 years of playing), but if the notes begin to deviate from these standard things - especially in longish passages - I can’t reliably execute. I’m not sure of the exact cause, but I suspect that - in part - the reason is mental processing speed: that I cannot read ahead or remember transitions quickly or accurately enough. Even when I have practiced such passages by breaking/chunking them down into manageable component parts, putting them back together is fraught.
An analogy might be like reading a paragraph written in your native language that begins to look unintelligible as you scan along.
Have others experienced this? If so, what strategies do you recommend for coping?
Steve
I am an amateur- but fairly accomplished- player still performing publicly several times a year, currently working on the York Bowen sonata, which contains these sorts of mixed passages of close-to-but-not-quite traditional scales and arpeggios.
Stephen Schiffman
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Author: lydian
Date: 2026-01-07 20:05
I'm not quite there yet myself. But I've witnessed it in many of my older bandmates. So I'd say it's a natural thing and there's probably nothing you can do about it besides adapt to your new normal. It will happen to all of us eventually.
Getting specific, everyone near 80 or older in every band I've ever been in seems to have trouble with timing and rhythm, as if their reaction time has slowed. Tone control also deteriorates. Same reason driving is harder at that age.
Post Edited (2026-01-08 00:50)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-01-07 22:28
Well I don't know about that. What you describe sounds a bit unique. What happens if you chunk certain parts in rehearsal........say, start playing the passage three bars in (purposely ignoring the first two bars) and just play a few bars..... AND STOP. Will that small chunk in the middle work?
Sounds like for you this doesn't work but I just want to clarify. For me, most issues anything like that revolve around not having the air to go forward.
Anyway if your brain wants to glom onto a starting point and then get muddled after a short spell, that's probably something other than just the notes.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Luc
Date: 2026-01-08 00:37
Hello Steve,
I am new here - sort of. I was active on this forum some years ago, but I let it slide as well as my clarinet playing. In any case I am back into it once again and I'm gung-ho about it this time around for precisely the same reason you brought up. I crossed into that septuagenarian realm last year and speaking for myself only, I too have noticed the gray matter isn't firing as quickly as before! So I'm going out of my way to challenge myself synaptically in all kinds of areas... and rediscovering my clarinet and music is just what the doctor ordered. Don't know if the brain sweats during a workout but mine must be sweating bullets when I practice. And IT DOES take more reps to finally get stuff in there.
Anyway I sympathise with you Steve. Take it with a grain of salt I guess and keep at it. Best of luck.
Luc
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Author: Bsharp
Date: 2026-01-08 02:49
Paul wrote:
“Well I don't know about that. What you describe sounds a bit unique. What happens if you chunk certain parts in rehearsal........say, start playing the passage three bars in (purposely ignoring the first two bars) and just play a few bars..... AND STOP. Will that small chunk in the middle work?
Sounds like for you this doesn't work but I just want to clarify. For me, most issues anything like that revolve around not having the air to go forward.”
Me: Air not a problem at all. Small chunks not a problem either. It is putting them all into a seamless line reliably. I practice these parts every day - and by the end of a practice session I get pretty good, but not 100% at executing. But when I return the next day, I am pretty much back to screwing up. Some improvement with practicing over time, yes, but not enough to gain security.
“Anyway if your brain wants to glom onto a starting point and then get muddled after a short spell, that's probably something other than just the notes”
me: I’m cognitively pretty sharp still (a former mathematician who still teaches and plays around with mathematics) and I don’t have this problem reading (text) quickly, so I don’t think it is a cognitive issue if that is your thought. But of course it might well be the beginning of cognitive issues!
Stephen Schiffman
Post Edited (2026-01-08 02:58)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-01-08 03:06
Still…what happens if you start the “phrase” late, and end early????
…….. Paul Aviles
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2026-01-08 07:13
I too have passed 70- (72 in April). I don't THINK I have slowed down in my reading or playing yet. I still am principal in a prof. band each summer. We do tend to repeat a lot of stuff, as do most of these bands, and play 10 or so per concert with one rehearsal. I find that I have to concentrate at times a little more than usual perhaps-- on the easy stuff such as the solos, not missing an entrance, making sure I'm counting rests in 2 if it's in 2, not in 4.... I was often a soloist with this group, doing the Debussy last summer. I think those days are coming to an end as I seem to be worried that I'll screw something up, which shouldn't happen with a lead player. It's more the worry than the actual playing.
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Post Edited (2026-01-08 07:14)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-01-08 12:57
The old jazz greats that I knew during my youth, used to say that they played fewer notes, but chose them better. Of course, you can't pick and choose your notes when you're a Classical player and playing your part.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Bsharp
Date: 2026-01-08 16:37
Paul wrote:
“ Still…what happens if you start the “phrase” late, and end early????”
Yes, this is good advice, and is part of my “chunking” strategy.
Nonetheless when I first get back to these passages the next day, I am again unreliable in execution. (But it is not all negative; I do see that I am making a bit of progress)
But I will persist with this strategy in hopes of getting more consistent execution.
As some others have mentioned here, this may be the new normal for me; I’ll just have to work harder to gain the same level control I used to have.
Thanks for all your advice.
At least I’m still “in the game” playing.
Steve
Stephen Schiffman
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2026-01-08 20:19
I'm in my mid-70's, and I'm having similar issues. One caveat: I took 34 years off from playing after college, so I don't have the technique well "ingrained" over many years of continuous playing. Add to that, that I was not really taught how to practice when I was younger.
Like you, I find day-to-day consistency to be an ongoing problem. Perhaps a passage that was clean yesterday is a mess today, even at a slower tempo. I also notice the problem with "continuity"--My eyes and brain can get stuck looking at the previous line, rather than moving down the page, or worse yet to the top of the next page! It seems to be a concentration/distraction factor--My brain finds other things to think about in the middle of playing!
And like you, I'm still slowly making progress in my playing despite the frustrations; and I am able to play competently in two fairly high-level amateur organizations. Playing is still mostly a very positive experience for me, and I will as you said, stay "in the game".
Good luck!
Steve
Amateur musician, retired physician
Delaware Valley Wind Symphony, clarinet 1
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, clarinet 2 (sub)
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Author: kilo
Date: 2026-01-09 19:28
Taking my first lessons when I was ten, I made encouraging progress on clarinet through high school but active playing slacked off when I was in my twenties and early thirties. When I returned to playing music it was primarily as a saxophonist in rock bands, although I doubled on clarinet and sax for a few years in a 16 piece swing band. My goal was to play modern jazz in a small group, which I eventually had to form myself as it wasn't a popular musical style where I lived.
I'd play clarinet occasionally when needed – community band on the 4th of July, doubling in pit bands for local stage productions. When I was assigned a seat in a pit band that required a bass clarinet, I was introduced to that instrument and slowly it became my musical focus. Covid led to the disbanding of the jazz group and I started seriously shedding on bass. Now, at 77, I'm playing bass clarinet in a duo with a classical guitar, primarily "classical" transcriptions.
The degree of concentration and dynamic subtlety required in this configuration has been a musical awakening for me. Playing in difficult keys, navigating shifting rhythms without the pulse of a drum, a thudding bass guitar, or even a conductor has really challenged both of us. My ability to accurately read scores (and efficiently turn pages!) has really improved, and my old hammer-mashed and frost-bitten fingers are put through a workout. But I can say that I have never enjoyed playing more. Because I'm actively trying to master the demands of playing new music in an unfamiliar setting, I feel that I'm making musical progress and, at my age (or any age) it's very encouraging. I guess sometimes an old dog can learn new tricks.
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Author: Reformed
Date: 2026-01-12 20:30
Also as a septuagenarian, I notice many of the issues raised here, I'd like to add my thoughts on the effect of eyesight.
I started wearing reading glasses in my early 40s and have since progressed to what in the UK are almost universally know as "Varifocals", I think the term "progressive lenses" is mostly used elsewhere.
Varifocals are great for most day-to-day activities but not for reading music in my experience.
Even good Varifocals have quite a tightly focused field of vision for all but long distance sight. When playing music, this can mean that only a small part of the written music page can be viewed at any moment. and that the head or whole upper body needs to be moved to focus across music on the stand.
I have found that going back to plain lens half-eye reading glasses improves my playing, concentration and comfort. I can sit very still and just move my eyes in their sockets as nature intended. My brain is doing less visual processing and is freed up for clarinet playing.
I've tried bifocals, prescribed for my music reading distance, but for some reason the half-eyes work better. My long sight is fine to see a conductor or playing partners. but I do need some lens correction to drive legally to UK standards.
Unfortunately, old fashioned half eye frames seem to disappearing from the UK market.
Your mileage may vary!
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2026-01-12 23:08
Just my two cents. I'm 83 and having been wearing progressives for 20+ years - actually two pairs, one for near to middle and the other for middle to far.
What I've learned is that progressives of different manufacturers and models vary a lot. The 'sweet' spot in various makes and models varies considerably. So going to a good optician/oculist/retailer makes a big difference in getting a lens that will work for you. My near to middle progressives work fine when I'm playing music and though the conductor is out of focus I can still ignore his baton
perfectly.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2026-01-13 01:16
I found the same difficulties as you with varifocals - the narrow field of focus both vertically and horizontally. My solution was single vision full size lenses, with the main focus set to music distance. Like you, I can still see the whole page of music in focus, and enough of everyone I need to. I can't see the conductor's wrinkles, but that's fine.
I'd also agree that attempting to use unsatisfactory glasses does create a distraction that could be mistaken for some other problem. It took me a while to realise it was my new varifocals that were the problem. The 'sweet spot' of focus in the two lenses were slightly misaligned. One eye saw a note in focus, but to the other eye the same note was slightly blurred. Something didn't feel right, but it was hard to identify.
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Author: Bsharp
Date: 2026-01-13 03:01
I too discovered that single-prescription full-sized lenses geared to the distance from my eyes to the music stand ia best for me. I am nearsighted (have been since puberty) and my prescription no longer changes too much year-over-year. So I no longer have to purchase new clarinet glasses every year.
Lack of ability to see the conductor reminds me of the joke about the longtime violist who missed seeing his stand partner for a whole week. When his stand partner retuned, and was asked where he was, the stand partner replied proudly “I was the conductor”.
Stephen Schiffman
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Author: kilo
Date: 2026-01-13 03:22
Quote:
My solution was single vision full size lenses, with the main focus set to music distance.
Same here, JTJC. 20 inch seems to be the most common focus for music. I've found that photochromatics are really useful for indoor/outdoor playing. No need to carry clip-ons. But, man, dealing with all this auxiliary gear is a job. More than once I've left my music glasses in the wrong instrument case and have had to play looking out of the bottom of my bifocals! Very tiring.
My conductor was complaining about the tendency of band scores to be printed on 8½x11 sheets these days, instead of the 9½x12 (sometimes even larger) that used to be common. I think prescriptions for older conductors like mine (he's 80) must be really difficult to get right. The conductor is normally at a greater distance from the page than an instrumentalist and often needs to make eye contact with section leaders.
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2026-01-13 04:05
My mother, Dr. Stephens-Sarlos Erzsebet, is actively researching (among other topics) the relationship between aging and primitive reflexes. I'm not an expert at all in this field, but what you describe did ring a bell.
https://www.drsarlos.com/en/post/primitive-reflexes-healthy-ageing
There is a free video about simple exercises you can do daily to slow down or even reverse the unwanted changes in the neural system. If your problem is caused by the disintegration of the reflex profile (I hope I use the right terms; again, I'm not the expert), the exercises will prove useful, and you should experience improvements. Please note that nobody can diagnose anything without taking the actual tests, but there is no harm in trying these.
https://www.drsarlos.com/en/seniors-exercises
Hope this helps
Mark Szavin
🎵mouthpiece specialist🎵
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2026-01-13 16:18
I agree with some of the above comments concerning eyesight: on occasions where I felt I wasn't sightreading as fluently as in the past, I became fairly convinced that this was just because I wasn't seeing the notes clearly enough. So it wasn't an issue of mental processing speed changing, so much as just needing a little extra time to gather enough data to figure out for sure what the notes were. In good strong light, I don't notice any change in my ability to play passages at speed (age 69, currently).
Reformed wrote "Unfortunately, old fashioned half eye frames seem to disappearing from the UK market". Well, I'm in the UK, and I wear old-fashioned glasses of this sort: perfect for playing, as you can see the music clearly, and also the conductor when you look up. If you type "half moon glasses" into the search box in Amazon, you will find a large number of inexpensive alternatives of this sort.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2026-01-13 18:23
Hi All,
Let me take a little different tack and suggest that looking into Mild Cognitive Impairment or MCI might be useful. Check this link from Cleveland Clinic for an easy-to-understand overview of MCI. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17990-mild-cognitive-impairment
While there is no definitive treatment available at this time, becoming part of a Wellness Program like this one at CC can possibly help all of us.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/wellness/integrative
I come from a medical family. There was a day when I would not have considered Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine a viable substitute for traditional medical procedures. However, after seeing, firsthand, the effectiveness of wellness training for a family member, I have concluded that there is great promise in addressing one's physical, emotional, and even spiritual needs.
The thing to remember is Be Mindful.
HRL.
Post Edited (2026-01-13 23:12)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2026-01-13 18:30
kilo wrote:
> My conductor was complaining about the tendency of band scores
> to be printed on 8½x11 sheets these days, instead of the
> 9½x12 (sometimes even larger) that used to be common. I think
> prescriptions for older conductors like mine (he's 80) must be
> really difficult to get right. The conductor is normally at a
> greater distance from the page than an instrumentalist and
> often needs to make eye contact with section leaders.
I'm 78. I had cataract surgery several years ago and had single-focus distance lenses implanted instead of the multi-focus ones that were also offered. Like others who have commented, I also use single-focus reading lenses to clear up my music reading vision, although in a pinch I can manage without glasses unless there are lots of chromatic markings.
But I also conduct a local student band and find that there is really no comfortable compromise between no glasses (clear distance vision) and lenses that will clear up the small print in a typical score. I do find that I make fewer mistakes (wrong cues, missed meter changes - all the things conductors who can't see typically stop for and pretend were the players' fault) with readers on, even if I can't see the players' faces clearly. I can see what instrument they play, and at my age I can't remember their names most of the time anyway, at least not quickly enough to use them. Conductors who won't use corrective lenses are among my pet peeves about conductors I play for.
Karl
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