 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fraudexpert
Date: 2004-01-03 15:57
I'm 53 years old and never played a musical instrument in my life. I think it's time I learned, but....
Am I too old to learn?
Do I have the lung capacity to try the clarinet?
Where do I begin?
Don't ask me why the clarinet. I saw the Benny Goodman Story ages ago and always said to myself that if I ever took up a musical instrument, it would be the clarinet.
I want to take private lessons and live in downtown Chicago... any thoughts?
Would appreciate any advice from you learned masters. Thanks!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-01-03 16:44
Hi FEx,
Lots of us on the BB who are also instructors have taught students who have begun at a much older age; you can be as successful as you desire as long as you are willing to practice and stay on task. A private teacher would be a must here but being in Chicago, be sure to check and see if there are any community colleges in the area that offer adult education, contact one of the many fine college programs in the city (you could probably find a graduate student that would be a fine teacher), or there is always a music store around that offers lessons.
Approach this like any beginner; rent a clarinet, take lessons, practice, and then see where you are after about 6 months. Then you can make a more long-term decison.
HRL
PS Not nuts at all!
Post Edited (2004-01-04 00:02)
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Author: fraudexpert
Date: 2004-01-03 17:11
Hank,
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I appreciate your advice and will take it. Besides encouragement from my wife, you are the first to respond. Thanks!
Hank Lehrer wrote:
> Hi FEx,
>
> Lots of us have taught students who have begun at a much older
> age; you can be as successful as you desire as long as you are
> willing to practice and stay on task. A private teacher would
> be a must here but being in Chicago, be sure to check and see
> if there are any community colleges in the area that offer
> adult education, contcat one of the many fine college programs
> in the city (you could probably find a graduate students that
> would be a fine teacher), or there is always a music store
> around that offers lessons.
>
> Approach this like any beginner; rent a clarinet, take lessons,
> practice, and then see where you are after about 6 months. Then
> you can make a more long-term decison.
>
> HRL
>
> PS Not nuts at all!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-03 17:21
I personally think that ...
1) You're NEVER too old to learn. In my music theory classes in college I noticed a few people that were retired but had always wanted to get a music degree or learn an instrument. And, as I saw them next year, they all had gotten better and learned steadily on their instruments. So why not you?
2) You're lung capacity will naturally increase the more you play and work on it. Just like if I were to start running (a BIG if since I hate it), but if I did, I'm sure my stamina would increase and I'd be able to run a little bit longer and get a little less winded as I practiced.
3) Just as hank said. Rent a clarinet, take lessons, etc. etc.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: jo.clarinet
Date: 2004-01-03 17:32
Hi FEx!
Welcome to the BBoard - you'll learn an awful lot just by reading the posts here and browsing through the older posts - I certainly have!
I'm another late starter on the clarinet, though I've played other instruments ever since I can remember. Taking up the clarinet was a spur-of-the-moment decision a couple of years ago, but I'm totally addicted now!
Good luck with your studies 
Joanna Brown
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-01-03 17:44
Yes, by all means F E, start in on a new adventure!! Clarinet are playable, friendly, not too demanding for people from 8 to 80, I'm in the latter group , and I dearly love playing in community bands and churches etc. They also are "stepping-stones" for saxes, flutes, and [more difficult] oboes/bassoons. Good advice above, rent, or with help buy a student cl, $1-300, get a decent mouthpiece, instruction book #1-2, and plunge in, a modestly-skillful teacher would sure help. Read our many discussions re: newbies and starting-agains, and communicate with friends, here. Best wishes, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-03 18:44
All excellent advice above. I'd just like to chime in with a "Welcome" to the Board. So far it looks like you're doing everything right.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-01-03 19:45
I took up the clarinet only a year ago at age 59, although I had played the sax before. It was difficult at first, but I'm really pleased with the progress I've made and I love the instrument. Sax is still my primary instrument, but clarinet is moving up. Rather than renting, I bought my instruments on ebay and did very well. I think it's cheaper to buy a student horn on ebay and sell it if you don't like it than renting. You can get good student clarinets for $100 or less. Vito's are rated rather well. That's what I bought, and it's been good.
Good luck, and welcome to the club. You're in good company here on this board.
Leonard
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2004-01-03 23:02
Good for you...I go to an adult band camp every summer (call me a gigantic nerd) and there are many people at the camp who (like you) took up an instrument "later" in life. Go for it and don't look back.
What type of music do you want to learn? That will help determine who you will wish to take lessons with.
My dad who quit playing in 1955 when he left the Army will pick up my clarinet and gets the most amazing sounds out of it. Sadly he doesn't hear worth a damn and doesn't enjoy playing.
You are not nuts....oh wait you are on this board and we are all nuts....about the clarinet!!! 
Jean
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-01-03 23:28
I'll add my two cents (Canadian currency) to this:
Am I too old to learn? Definitely not. Motivation is far more important than age. Age is just a number and/or a state of mind.
Do I have the lung capacity to try the clarinet? Yes, unless there is some disease affecting your lungs. Managing your air through proper breathing and blowing is more important than the quantity that you can get into your lungs. "You will adapt" (from Seven of 9).
Where do I begin? Hank Lehrer said it best. I would add only that listening to clarinet recordings of those whose playing you enjoy might be helpful in determining what you want to sound like eventually.
Best wishes,
Hans (58 and still playing....)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-01-04 00:54
To protect yourself from an expensive hobby, try to rent for the first few months (not a rent-to-own; fixed term) while you decide what works for you
and what doesn't.
Take a lesson every month (that's probably sufficient for you to be prepare)
to help you along. Don't buy gear from your teacher, but take recommendations... teachers that sell gear have a conflict of interest.
Your local college with a music program will help you find an instructor.
Spend money on expensive stuff this Summer, after you have fallen in love with the licquorice stick.
(The Fobes Debut and Hite Nova with a 2 1/2 Legere will start you out.)
Go get a horn, already!
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-01-04 01:45
Congratulations---I think taking up the clarinet (or any instrument) will give you countless hours of joy. I will dare suggest you purchase a quality instrument such as a Buffet if this is financially possible. First of all, my personal experience is that it is far less frustrating to learn on a quality instrument. Also, should you decide to sell the clarinet for any reason, a quality instrument such as a Buffet will likely maintain its re-sale value.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-04 02:34
Quote:
I will dare suggest you purchase a quality instrument such as a Buffet Uh oh . . .
I'd like to say that although buffets certainly are quality instruments, they aren't your ONLY choice. Don't be biased now!Quote:
First of all, my personal experience is that it is far less frustrating to learn on a quality instrument. That's for sure. Right now I'm a little frustrated with mine so I thought it was time to buy a new one.
I too was thinking maybe you could buy a student instrument. Since you'll probably get around what you paid for it when you decide to resell it. But factor in the price of an overhaul in case some of the pads are leaky or keys are bent.
Also, if you DO decide to rent, try to rent a decent student instrument. You can get a list of them if you do a search for student instrument. I say this because my mother rented a clarinet for my little sister. I tried it out, and found out that this Bundy clarinet won't even make a sound unless your playing the notes C4 through A4. In plain english, "it sucked." I gave her my old Rene Duval to work with and begged my mother never to do anything related to clarinets for her unless she's consulted me first (I also had to fight to get her to buy a Fobes Debut instead of the using the chipped bundy mouthpiece it came with).
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-01-04 02:39
FX'd, first off-Congratulations. 53 is not to young to do anything you wish. I am 78, feeling like 88 but still I try. There is good advice here and some bad advice (well, not maybe 'bad' but most likely to be misunderstood).
Let's begin:
1. You need an instrument you can learn on. That does not necessarly mean it has to be one of the "Big 4" or an expensive one. It does mean that it does have to be one that you can rely on to respond properly (considering you don't know yet when it will be responding improperly). You need one that will play in tune, is balanced and adjusted and you are most likely NOT going to get that from any instrument you buy off of eBay without throwing a batch of money at it for reconditioning--assuming you know where to send it and what you need to have fixed. Depending on some new instruments being produced you may not get that either.
2. On this BB there are many fantastic repair persons (J. Butler and Dave Spiegelthal to name but two ) who buy, repair, and resell quality older instruments. Over the period of time that you would have to rent, for the amount of money it would take to get to know the rental instrument, I personally think you would be better off getting a quality reconditioned older horn from one of our experienced sponsors and let them advise you as to what mouthpiece, ligature etc,, you should begin with. Later when you are more inclined at throwing money around you can play the great mouthpiece shuffle, but not now.
3. Do your homework. Look around at groups in your area and get recommendations for private teachers. Be sure that you get one who is experienced at teaching beginning ADULTS, not kids.
4. Relax and enjoy the experience.
All the best,
Bob A
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-01-04 04:53
In fact, one of my adult students had been told as a child she was "tone-deaf" and thought she would never be able to enjoy playing ANY music ever at all. When she got her elementary ed degree she had to learn some piano, but that old "tone-deaf" comment still was with her. Around age 50 (I think...I never asked her age!) a friend gave her a new Vito student clarinet and some gift certificates for lessons at the place I teach.
Every lesson she does one thing better. Sometimes things slip away and are forgotten if they're not used, but at least one thing improves. The main thing I've stressed is that she not "beat herself up" about a mistake/error/squeak/whatever...She will occasionally say something like, "Oh, that stank!" but she knows she can do better...
And she knows she's not "tone-deaf" either!
All the best to you, FE,
Katrina
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2004-01-05 04:15
No, you aren't nuts. I have a student who has been with me for almost 2 years. She is in her 50s, and she is doing really well. She has a great sound- she plays on a beginner Yamaha clarinet, with the mouthpiece that came with it and I don't know what brand of reeds- whatever she can get- and she is, for the most part, getting a sound that I would be happy to hear a professional produce. She also has a really good sense of how whatever she is playing should go, so most of the time, when she makes a mistake, she will stop and correct herself before I do anything.
There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't do equally well.
Good luck
Rachel (not exactly a learned master yet, but one day...)
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-01-05 05:16
If you can be a loud talker while breathing no more often than every five seconds or so, your lungs are quite okay.
Regards,
John
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