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 starting up again
Author: Michelle 
Date:   2001-11-01 23:25

I have graduated from college and have not played in the two years since. I've decided that I want to pick up my horn again, but I've lost so much in those 2 years. Does anybody have any recommendations concerning a practice regimine or exercises? I was in my university wind ensemble and had lessons each semester, even though I only minored in music. Any suggesions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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 RE: starting up again
Author: kenabbott 
Date:   2001-11-01 23:32

Just do it. I found that about 80% came back quickly and the rest I had to fight for. Don't expect your sight reading to be as keen.

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 RE: starting up again
Author: Bob Arney 
Date:   2001-11-02 00:59

Michelle, what you first have to determine IMHO is WHY you want to do this. That in it'self will determine the amount of discipline you are willing to beat your body with. There are sooo many distractions, once you break good practice habits, and it is really hard to get back into it UNLESS you have some major motivation. So, Community Band, Clarinet Quartet, Church Orchestra? I know (from personal experience) that "just for my own pleasure" won't put a dent in Monday Night Football, or some other favorite TV series. But Go For IT.!

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 RE: starting up again
Author: Stephanie 
Date:   2001-11-02 03:15

I don't have any advice really. I just wanna know what all you were required to minor in music. I didn't even know if that was allowed. I was thinking about posting that earlier....
NEwayz, when you minor in music, is it basically just for fun, are can someone actually get a job from it?

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 RE: starting up again
Author: ron b 
Date:   2001-11-02 03:47

Welcome back, Michelle  :)))

Pick up that horn and... Oh, Play That Thing !!

I'll bet you a box of reeds you'll surprise everyone, including yourself, how fast you get right back into it. Two years is just a brief vacation for someone with your experience. There are people around here who had to knock down cobwebs and drag themselves outta th' basement to find their way back. Oh, the agony of it. But, now that the initial shock is somewhat behind (well, some of us anyway), and since we find ourselves in such a great and fine association of like-minded retreads, you'll find a lot of happy faces around Sneezy's place :]

I see motivation in every line of your post, Michelle; otherwise, you wouldn't be here. Please, allow me to add another sincere Welcome Home :)

- ron b -
--------------------------------------------------------
P.S. -- I only bet on a sure thing :

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 RE: starting up again
Author: willie 
Date:   2001-11-02 04:53

Practice as much as you can without getting too sore and it will come back in no time at all. My horn sat in the closet for over 20 yrs. I got it back out when my daughter started begginers band so I could help her at home, but I still wasn't serious about it yet. When they let out for summer, I got a Standard of Excellence book (#2 with CD) to keep her going through summer. That did it! Then my wife dug out her old flute (didn't even know she played) and we've all been playing ever since in 2 different community bands.

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 RE: starting up again
Author: allencole 
Date:   2001-11-04 22:34

I'm with Ron. Just start playing. Maybe join a community band. It'll keep you playing, and provide a nice social outlet as well. Your chops with quickly return. As for practicing, start with long tones an scales--and start digging up old favorites from your college books. You can take it as far as you want!

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 RE: starting up again
Author: fritz 
Date:   2001-11-05 16:21

The advice given already is excellent. Start playing, go over the fundamentals, join a group. I have done this after 35 years of not playing hardly at all. But there ar e a couple of other things:
1. Get your instrument checked out to be sure it is in good playing condition.

2. The difficult one: Arrange to take some lessons! I practiced intensively and played in a group for more than two years, but felt I wasn't really making the kind of progress I wanted to make. Fortunately, I have been able to arrange to take an hour lesson every two weeks from my previous teacher (now in his eighties), and it has made a major difference. He has helped (forced!) me to recognize the things I really need to work on, both technically and musically.

Good luck!

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