 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2003-10-28 13:55
Hello. I've been lurking on this bb for a couple of weeks now and can't tell you how much I've learned — it's great that so many are willing to share their expertise with others. Here's my story. I played the clarinet from 12 to 18, loved it, but left it off when going to college. A few years ago I wanted to bring my clarinet to my new home, so I fetched it from under my bed at my mom's house to find that the top joint had broken in half! I was devastated (well, ok not that devastated because I always wanted to upgrade to a nice wooden one). Anyone know why that would happen? (it was over the garage).
For months now I've wanted to start playing again to get my mind off an illness; my funds are limited at the moment, so I've been looking on ebay, online shops, and my local specialist woodwind shop for a nice second hand. Being really a beginner, I decided to go down to the specialist shop. Well, today is the start of half-term (school vacation) so it was packed. The man handling clarinets was busy and I was willing to wait, but then walked in an eager mummy with her son and they said they were in to buy a Rossi or Buffet Prestige! (I live in a posh university town, so that's the sort of clientele they get.) I said they could go before me because I really wanted to have some attention and I was willing to wait for it. But the situation was too much for me. Hearing people practice and try instruments brought back some not very pleasant memories of competition and unkind music teachers. I started to tear (I'm even tearing now thinking about it). So I left to compose myself, but then came home. They're open late so I can go back this afternoon, but my nerves are shot.
I suppose this isn't a question, just an introduction and a plea for some sympathy (I know I sound like a big baby), but perhaps some suggestions on what I can do to get my clarinet.
Elizabeth
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-10-28 15:17
Emotional concerns are as valid as others. It's too bad that many music teachers (hopefully of the past) were not receptive to students' frustrations in a positive manner. I feel I am there to HELP my students instead of CORRECTING them. They're not _wrong_, they just haven't learned stuff yet! Competition is another issue; I still can't even listen to the Mozart concerto without getting nervous about auditions from more than 15 years ago!
Trying instruments out at the store is for _yourself_ and not for the other folks there or for the teachers. Maybe you could ask if you could take a couple of horns home (with a deposit) so that you can see if they work for you there. I'd also try again on a different day when the shop isn't as busy and you can ask all the questions you want and get all the help you want too!
Best of luck,
Katrina
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-10-28 17:37
Hi, Elizabeth 
It's nice to make your acquaintance. You're in good company here. I'm glad you felt encouraged to introduce yourself.
In response to your post, no one could have said it better than Katrina. A teacher's function is to Encourage the learning process, not scare people.
Your topic about "chickened out" brings to mind some unpleasant memories for me to. I'm sure we all have some. I believe if you follow Katrina's suggestion and get a fresh start, things will look better from a different angle.
As much as someone can, via a bulletin board, I'd like to offer you a little sympathy and, as much as possible, a LOT of Encouragement. I admire your desire, though coping with an illness, to take up music making again. If you stay around you'll meet lots of folks who are on their second or third or..?... go 'round. From what I've seen here, most BB'ers are willing to share and encourage in any and many ways.
To the question, 'why do clarinets break in two?' - I don't know, sometimes they just do. Maybe in the long run, looking back, you'll find that it was for the best after all... maybe. They can be repaired so you'd hardly know there was ever a problem. However, I like your solution - go shopping for a new, or different, instrument and a fresh approach.
Best wishes, Elizabeth, and... Happy Tootin'!
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
Post Edited (2003-10-28 17:41)
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-10-28 18:22
Hi Elizabeth,
You have my sympathy too, and IMO you did the right thing in leaving instead of trying to choose an instrument when the store was too busy to give the attention you deserve.
Perhaps it would help to take a friend with you when you return to buy your clarinet?
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: glin
Date: 2003-10-28 18:22
Elizabeth,
There's nothing wrong in getting a second hand clarinet-you just need to be careful with the selection process. If you managed to spot one either in town or on ebay, negotiate with the seller for a return policy. I've bought and sold a number of clarinets over the years and always ask or provide this upfront. You don't want to get stuck with a bad horn. Also, get someone to offer a second opinion on the clarinet-it could be a musician clarinet friend, teacher, or maybe even one of the local music store owners to give you their advice. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be - often at no charge.
Good luck,
George
PS: if you are still looking, feel free to contact me off list. I may have something to offer.
glin@ieee.org
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2003-10-28 19:03
my sympathy goes out to you. I agree with those above that you did the right thing to leave. Playing or tested clarinets should be enjoyable.
I have just start back after a 30 break. I played in jr. and senior highschool. Luckly I did not have hard driving teachers or parents. I did not set the world on fire with my playing but I had a grand time.
Now I am through college and my kids are through or at college I have started again.
Advice... From my recent "go at it". I would buy a good used student grade clarinet. in my case .. my old clarient did the trick.
Then after you get your embrochure established and playing ear back in shape and fingers moving again start looking of a new clarinet . I am just now starting to look for another clarinet after 10 months of playing
You will also find that by hanging around this BB and the clarinet mailing list you will learn allot about clarinets and what to look for.
I have learned a tremendous amount and am so glad I waited.
Remember it is just a hobby now. No competion, no test, just fun. The community band that I play with does not even have auditions. Just come and play and have fun and laugh at your mistakes.
good luck
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2003-10-29 08:22
My thanks to each of you for responding and for your understanding and support. You have put it so well Katrina — there are emotional aspects to this that just surfaced when I heard others play (I'd been in the shop quite a few times before). It was when it dawned on me that the Platonic idea of what I could play in my head was going to be nothing like the reality. The thought of not being able to get a sound or remember where to put my fingers overwhelmed me. Also, seeing eager mummy buying the most expensive clarinet for little Tarquin reminded me how I asked for a wood clarinet when young and my mom and dad weren't going to satisfy that (they weren't cruel, just didn't occur to them that it was important).
I'm sure eager mum has put the clarinet on plastic — but in my youth, your mom and dad payed cash (or rented).
As regards teachers, I'm glad to know that there are understanding educators out there. Actually, I shouldn't have used the plural because there was really only one teacher that was unkind but obviously that has stayed in my mind (he was quite a tyrant — we respected him but unfortunately his comments were at times personal and I'm sure that would not be tolerated today.)
Your collective advice has definitely cleared things in my head. I realized I was getting a little ahead of myself, so as Tim suggests I will start on a student instrument, get back my embrouchure and fingering skills so that when it's time to upgrade I can make a better decision about what's right for me.
Thanks again and I look forward to sharing experiences.
Elizabeth
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-10-29 13:27
Sounds like you have made some progress mentally on this one. Don't let the tyrrant of a teacher stop you from your dream.
When I got back into playing I bought a plastic student model because I did not think I could even begin to properly choose the horn of my dreams until I played for a while. I think it was a fine investment. I still have it in case of emergency or the threat of inclement weather in the community band scene.
Perhaps you should find a new teacher that will probably help you progress and not establish bad habits that might be hard to break AND maybe will help you forget the other teacher.
Good luck!!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-10-29 13:55
Elizabeth -
The most important thing is that playing comes back fast. The first time you try, you'll feel dreadful, but in a few weeks, everything will be fine. You never lose physical actions you learn when you're young. It's not quite as simple as riding a bicycle or swimming, but believe me it's still there.
As for an instrument, I'd advise going back to the store at a quiet time and let a salesman who plays clarinet pick out a used (or perhaps a new rental) instrument for you that has been checked over so all the pads are tight and the mechanism is adjusted. It's important that the actual instrument be played by someone, even if only briefly.
You'll probably do better with a new mouthpiece, particularly if you get a used instrument. The standard plastic Yamaha mouthpiece, at around $20, is reliably decent. For reeds, I'd say bite the bullet and spend the $16 for a Legere -- say a 2 or 2-1/2, and take a lesson or two if you're up to it.
Forget about the chicken. The swan will come back soon.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2003-10-29 20:37
On the cash thing, my dad played cash for my violin a few years ago and the people in the shop looked at him as if he was a mafioso or something (my family's Italian). Actually, we own an aparment building and some tenants pay their rent in cash.
Best of luck with your playing! Try the Pyne and/or Hite Premier mouthpieces if you can- they're a great deal at $20- $30- unless your clarinet comes with something both decent and suited to you (this may be unlikely but my first used plastic clarinet came with a Vandoren B45 that I used for years).
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-10-30 02:39
You've gotten some good advice here. Just want to say "welcome" also and hope you'll give the shopping another go when things are less hectic there.
It is nice playing as an adult amatuer. You don't have to be competitive about playing or what part. I tend to push myself, but I know friends who are content to stick with the second and third parts and play them as well as they can and not worry about getting beyond that.
Hope you enjoy yourself.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-10-30 09:27
There is not much structure out there for adult amateurs coming back into the fold, but there is an excellent book called "Making Music for the Joy of It" by Stephanie Judy. I strongly recommend that you sit down this one, and also with "Classical Music for Dummies." The latter will help you get back into the spirit of music as a whole, and the former will have strategies for getting your instrumental skills online.
Best of luck.
Allen Cole
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2003-10-30 11:10
Thanks to all who have added your kind support and suggestions. I will definitely return to the shop next week when school is in session again and there will hopefully be a lull. I'm not sure what I will opt for yet, possibly a good student second hand to re-learn on, but I will see what the experienced salesperson advises. From your suggestions I feel more armed as to mouthpieces and reeds — I see that the Legere is a synthetic reed — wild! I would never have thought to get one and I'm looking forward to trying it. The books sound interesting and I'll try to find them — I always loved reading about music but haven't in a very long time.
I did a rather crazy thing and bid on a clarinet on ebay and won (this was while taking your advice on board). It is an older wooden one —vintage— I suppose you would say, made in England. It goes by the name of John Grey and Sons, which is on the list of 'who ever heard of' clarinets on the website. I felt kinda sorry for it as no-one was bidding on it; it may have been priced a little expensively, but it looked like a nice clarinet and I felt I'd like to rescue it. I'll take it to the shop with me and see what they say (hope they won't laugh).
cheers,
Elizabeth
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2003-10-30 14:06
Elizabeth,
There are two essential ingredients for success as the adult beginner.
1. Get a teacher. They can pick out a good clarinet for you. So if your concerned about having people hear you in the practice room, they'll hear your teacher instead. Put up a sign on the bulletin board in the school of music looking for a grad student who can teach an adult beginner. Having a student teach you offers the benefits of practice rooms and a learning environment. Lessons at home is also acceptable if one is concerned about having others hearing your playing. Especially at this very early level.
2. Play with others. Of course you can play with your music teacher every week or every other week, but it's essential to play with others. You live in a university there are probably lots of adults who want to learn to play a musical instrument. You may even want to put up another sign on many of the bulletin boards or place an ad in the university paper: Adult beginner of clarinet looking for another beginner clarinetist to play duets and possibly share lessons.
Lessons and playing with others is a sure way to enhance your music making abilities and have fun.
Take care,
Ron Jr.
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2003-11-01 02:50
1. Be encouraged with all the support from the people here!
2. Always remember that you are doing music for you. Music is a wonderful thing to have and to experience, one of the best things on this earth. Everyone should partake! Good luck to you.
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