 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2003-10-27 00:33
This follows on from my post about how much practice everyone does and the other one about what people practice. I would like to know
Why everyone started playing the clarinet? and
Why they continue playing?
I started because I was in Yr 4 at school, wanted to play an instrument, and the clarinet was the only one that wasn't away for repairs. ( I wanted the flute, now I don't like the flute). I continued playing because the clarinet is really cool- it has a beautiful sound, and it is incredibly versatile- it can do a lot more than most instruments. (The number of times I've been tempted to give up music testify to the coolness of the clarinet- if I was doing a less rewarding activity I would have given up years ago.)
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2003-10-27 00:52
Because.
Seriously, though...
I started on flute in third grade because it looked fun. In 10th grade, because I wasn't liking flute as much and my friends were mostly clarinetists, and it looked fun.
I continue to play for reasons that cannot be expressed in words. A sort of mixture between fun, challenge, inspiration, hobby, recently having huge and wonderful doors of learning opened, and playing in a fantastic ensemble. The fact that I have to play for my composition degree doesn't even enter the equation.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-10-27 01:13
EEBaum,
I started flute in the 6th grade (not because I wanted to, but because we already had one and couldn't afford a saxophone - the instrument I really wanted to play). I switched to clarinet in 11th grade because, like you, flute was getting old and all of my friends played clarinet. Small world, I suppose.
I'm not a music major, but I have "crazy" dreams of becoming a famous clarinetist anyway. I may be stupid, but without my delusions of grandeur, I'd probably never pick the thing up... Whatever keeps me going, ya know?
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: krawfish3x
Date: 2003-10-27 01:23
I continue playing because i love to play and im sure when i say this it speaks for most of the people that use this BBoard.
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Author: ned
Date: 2003-10-27 02:26
Because I wanted to play like my jazz heros on record - seems I'll be at it for quite a while longer though, I'd reckon.
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2003-10-27 04:23
For the money ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
For fun. Strictly for fun. Even when I sometimes get paid, it's just for fun.
Steve Epstein
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Author: Garret
Date: 2003-10-27 04:32
I knew right from the beginning I wanted to play clarinet, even before it was time for school band to start. A neighbor had a clarinet and I just knew it was the instrument for me. 32 years later I don't regret it. It's so much fun. It's a huge hobby for me, no pay, and I love playing next to others, whether it's to learn from them or to teach them. That's what makes it special for me.
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Author: ClaRiNeT_CaNdY
Date: 2003-10-27 13:27
I started playing Clarinet two yrs ago when i was 13 and i didn't choose it, the conductor issued me to it. I was okay with it, although i wanted the french horn. Soon after a few months, i found myself falling in love with it. The clarinet was indeed a beautiful instrument in both terms of playing and looks.
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Author: reed_squawk
Date: 2003-10-27 14:10
Good question... I started the clarinet a little over a year ago.. Mainly I guess because I got lucky enough to find a decent one at an antique store for almost no money. I had an interest in the clarinet and that find served as a catalyst to get me going.
I have been an amateur musician since my teens playing in various bands and settings. Different instruments as well. I started on guitar, banging away hopelessly on it until my early 20s, when I decided I want to actually learn about music and began taking lessons and studying music theory.
Definitely I have incredible regret for not joining band as a youngster and missing out on all those formative years. Anyway, from my music study I became interested in jazz and took up the saxophone at which a became fairly proficient on, playing it along with my guitar in some bands that I was in. Just about the time I was really making progress on the sax, we moved to a new town and into a duplex where it was impossible to practice without the neighbors hearing every note as well, which really bothered me, plus I started going to college and just kind of gave up serious playing for some years.
I became interested in playing again after I got out of school, but my interest had changed to more folky/ethnic types of acoustic music. I sold my saxophone's and took up the mandolin, tin whistle, and the fiddle (that thing is HARD!). I played fiddle in an old-timey contra dance band for couple of years, and during that time I found the clarinet and began working on it. By the time the contra dance band had disbanded, my interest had grown more and more for the clarinet.
So now I'm exclusively working on the clarinet and flute as well, studying classical, English country dance, swing jazz ala Django (actually, Rostaing! his great clarinet player), as well as a bit of Balkan. I feel like I'm just now starting really make progress, as playing across the break has recently became so much easier, it is hard to imagine how much trouble I used to have with it.
I love the clarinet for its warm, woody/earthy tone, as well as its range.
Even when I'm not playing with the band I play on a daily basis, usually at least an hour, often more, and feel quite out of sorts on the days I do not get a chance to.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-10-27 14:21
For the groupies. Chicks dig clarinet players.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-10-27 14:23
It is my mental eraser. While I'm playing everything else goes away except the music. I'm not sure it is cheaper than a shrink, but it is much more fun and more easily shared...g
Best
Rick
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-27 14:46
Wy I picked the clarinet??? I think that I was born singing--all I know is that I have always liked music singing, playing or just listening, don't really know why. As a preschooler, on Wed evening during the summer, my parents would take me to our city band's concerts and that is where I decided that, "when I grow up", I wanted to play in the band--no particular instrument, just play. And so, during the summer before the beginning of 4th grade, I pleaded with my parents to take me to a school music meeting where--against the advice of my Dad (who wanted me to play the trumpet)--I chose the clarinet because the one on display had gold colored keys which looked quite interestingly complex. However, I didn't really start practicing until beginning private lessons in high school, and then I found the challenge to be so much fun, my parents often had to ask me to stop (after only a few hours). To avoid a longer (and even more boring personal story) I eventually studied music education in college, taught for 34 yrs and am now retired--but still playing clarinet, sax and flute (and I did learn to play the trumpet as well).
Why do I continue?? Like I said, I still don't know why I have always liked music but I continue to play my instruments only because, for me, it is soooo much fun--simple as that. When the fun stops and it becomes work--"only for the money"--then I'll just move up to northern Wisconsin and go fishing. But there's so much music left to be played.........for now, the fish and the worms can rest easy.
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2003-10-27 16:59
I guess I wanted to play violin, but my father said it was a sissy instrument and then I tried band instruments. I couldn't play flute or brass so they had me start on clarinet. I started when I was 10 in 5th grade. It was fun.
I continued to play through highschool and into my first college years. I had to give up playing for several years to finish my degree and then I went back to the community college band I had been playing with after graduation.
After 3 years, I have just stopped taking lessons since my teacher had to stop teaching. She brought me well past my prior abilites. I may go back to lessons in time. Right now I need a break.
Currently I play with the two community college groups and my local town's community band. I play for the enjoyment and being part of a group. We are fortunate to have our performances recorded. It is nice to hear the ensemble as a whole. Playing is also a way for me to relax and temporarily disregard all the stresses in the world. I don't know what I would do if I could not be involved with music anymore.
I also play a little piano too which is a nice change from the clarinet.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-10-27 17:02
Music is a powerful kick. If you are adept at it--and have friends who are as good or better--it's pretty addictive. To me, there are three things that really make it work, and those of you are are in school should make careful note of them:
1 - You have sufficient skills to feel comfortable on your instrument in a wide variety of circumstances.
2 - You can pull your weight when put in a group with players who are superior to you.
3 - In situations where you are the superior player, you can help your cohorts develop their own talents and experience the feeling of item #2.
You are unlikely to learn this in band alone. You will very likely learn it playing duets, trios, quartets, rock bands, etc. with your friends. If you want to see why so many of us are hooked, cultivate friendships with those who share your passion for music. (It wouldn't hurt to start with your closest rival) You will share something that most people find difficult to comprehend.
Allen Cole
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Author: ClarinetPunk
Date: 2003-10-27 19:29
I started in 4th grade on cello, and dropped it like 3 weeks into it. Cello rentals were too expensive...so the next year (5th grade) bad was available, and i was able to choose from clarinet, trumpet, or percussion, since those were that my parents had played, and i picked clarinet and played ever since. Though sometimes i wish i had picked trumpet or perc. so i would have to deal with reeds.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2003-10-27 20:37
I play mostly for the fellowship of other musicians Sure I want to keep up the technical skills and learn this solo or those excerpts, but making music with others is a lifetime love. Allencole's comments are right on.
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-10-27 22:07
1.enjoyment
2.to drive my wife crazy
3.to drive my dog crazy
4.one of my retirement goals.
i really like the horn. sure beats a tuba.i
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: Steph
Date: 2003-10-27 22:59
Because all my friends were in band when I was in 5th grade, and I started out on flute but ended up on clarinet....my brother's girlfriend at the time gave me hers and it just so happens that my flute was missing a pad...and i didnt want to go get that fixed. Besides, it made me dizzy. But Obviously I still like clarinet because I'm still playing in college even thuogh all my friends dropped out of band like, 5 years ago.
Would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?--"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
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Author: Renato
Date: 2003-10-27 23:01
When I was little, I had a red toy clarinet. I've enjoyed that kind of sound ever since. True, the sound of a real clarinet is even better!
The way I bought my first clarinet is another story: I went to a music store to buy an oboe! It was too expensive, and there was a composite clarinet that I could afford. I liked both instruments, but the money was the key factor at that time. Now, many years later, I have a fine wooden clarinet and love that "nice dark sound"and how "deep down" it goes. It is also so beautiful, visually speaking!
By the way, I take flute lessons, and like the flute almost as much as the clarinet.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-10-28 02:29
Because I have to. That's all that need be said.
Bob A
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-10-28 02:54
David Spiegelthal:
"Can't not play. Tried quitting for a few years, didn't work. "
Hey...me too! Exactly how I was going to reply...
Katrina
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-10-28 19:21
Similar to your story Rachel. Was the first one I saw and I liked that it was all black. I played throughout high school because I was pretty good and it feels good to be good at something. THen I tried to stop after high school, but after two years I missed it too much, joined my college ensemble, and now I'm back into it more than ever.
Hopefully my interest and skill continues to grow (even if it IS at a slower rate than I had hoped . . .)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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