 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: 2nd Try
Date: 2004-02-12 01:34
I haven't played a clarinet in 15 years. At one time I was advancing - I made it to 2nd chair in All-State band (Georgia), received Superior ratings at the annual Solo & Ensemble, was practising 3-4 hours a day and had weekly lessons with Bill Rapaport of the ASO.
I let other things get in the way (swimteam, cheerleading, friends, etc) and it wasn't until I was about 22 that I realized what a mistake I had made. There hasn't been a day since that I haven't regretted stopping. Especially when I hear Mozart's Concerto for Clarinet in A - makes me teary; it's what I sight read to get into State band.
At 35 years of age, I've decided to be brave and pick it back up. I'm a little scared and to tell you the truth, am not sure that I even remember how to read music much less fingerings and scales/arpeggios.
Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Is 35 too late to try it again?Any suggestions besides purchasing a fingering chart and some really low strength Vandoren reeds?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: chuck
Date: 2004-02-12 01:56
35 is not too old. Do it gradually: fifteen minutes per day for a couple of weeks, then a half-hour . . any exercise book you may have used at the time of your last playing would be helpful. You already learned those exercises, now you just let muscle memory bring back the fingers. Coupla' months and you will be amazed at how much you haven't forgotten. Have fun with it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-02-12 02:07
Gosh NO, many of your friends here on BBoard have had longer gaps in their playing, and with a bit more "maturity" and time available, have started up again and have found it IS like riding a bicycle, it comes back readily and frequently better!! With your prior expertise, you should have no problems of consequence. The BB has loads of info, opinions etc re: horns, mps, reeds etc/etc, so just start and enjoy with us. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2004-02-12 03:13
Hey ... you're about to join a very exclusive club ... the "second time rounders" (round being the operative word, especially in my case). Welcome, enjoy, inspire.
diz | sydney
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-02-12 03:16
Long tones.
Hamelin
Langenus
The dreaded metronome
(As opposed to the little guy that runs the turnstile, underground.)
Do try to have some fun with music, won't you?
"Ratings" and seat position don't mean much if you can't play with other people and enjoy the outing.
(It's not a race.)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-02-12 03:35
Come on in the water is fine. I am in Georgia and there are a number of community bands here. Surf the net and you'll find a bunch.
One thing to remember is that almost every member of the community band have played in all-state or 1st clarinet at their high school. The person who sat 3rd for 3-4 years aren't typically the ones coming back after a number of years. That doesn't mean that everyone has retained there skills or that they really ever had skills to begin with but this has been my experience.
In my case I sat 1st in my high school band but it wasn't until I came back that I realized that I never knew how to really play. That was just me and does not sound like it describes you but these are the people you might be sitting next too.
The point is everyone thinks they are good enough to play 1st when sometimes we really need the parts covered. So come on by and cover a part and work your way up!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jerry
Date: 2004-02-12 04:02
Congrats, 2nd Try! You're in for a great ride.
I've been playing a little over a year after being away for 37 years. You are likely to achieve your previous playing level within a year with moderate effort and lots of enthusiasm.
I've been taking private lessons and played in our community band for most of this period and have all sorts of appreciation for the instrument and music for it I never had in high school. I'm looking forward to playing in a couple of churches in the near future.
I, too, get teary eyed with the clarinet parts from Appalachian Spring, Saturday Night Waltz from Rodeo, the sweet, natural delicacy of the instrument in the cookoo bird section of Beethoven's 6th (after the storm??) and even the simple 2nd movement "Romanze" from Stamitz's 3rd Concerto (Sabine Meyer rendition).
Jerry
The Villages, FL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-12 08:25
Enjoy the journey. Don't push yourself beyond reasonable limits. Just have fun! ![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bnanno
Date: 2004-02-12 09:14
Dear 2nd try,
Have a look at http://www.clarinet.cc/, there seems to be a lot about the clarinet there...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-02-12 09:30
Dear 2nd Try,
Yes, do pick it up again! I was like you a few months ago, with the difference that for me it was more like 20+ years, and I was perhaps not so advanced as you were to begin with. I find that playing again motivates me in other ways personally and professionally, and that seems to be the same for other returners on the bb. What I found was that I had indeed forgotten fingering and some aspects of reading music, but after a few weeks things returned to as before. And playing is more relaxing as you can do pretty much what you like, when you like, and not having to worry about making that chair or playing on the spot.
My suggestion — read and think about the advice on this board. Go back and search anything you might be interested in and read. There is so much expertise here that is invaluable.
Enjoy — you won't regret it.
Elizabeth
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-12 13:23
Welcome, I came back after 40+ years and,like you, regret ever lapsing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-02-12 13:30
I'm another returning player, after almost 20 years. Do a little noodling on your own, then I suggest that you find a teacher who's not going to push you too hard but who'll help you regain the basics - the scales & arpeggios, the embouchure and so forth, along with some neat easy music for starters. Then start setting goals for yourself. If you play with a community orchestra then that will set some goals for you, as long as you always strive to improve on the ever-present basics to solidify your foundation.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Avie
Date: 2004-02-12 13:37
Go for it. The bennifits are too numerous to mention.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2004-02-12 14:31
Welcome back. I hope our "stay" this time will be extended and most enjoyable. Remember, the left hand goes on the top joint, find a reed that plays ok (like we all are trying to do), and "just do it" for the fun of it. When your embouchure feels "up to it", join a local adult band or church musical group. Playing for others with others is where "it" is really at. Enjoy and come back often if you have more questions.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 2nd Try
Date: 2004-02-12 14:49
I just got finished reading all of the posts and just wanted to say thank you....
There seems to be a lot of support, as well as wonderful advise, on these boards and I'm so glad to feel so included.
I appreciate all of the suggestions and have written them down.
MsRoboto - I didn't see your e-mail listed, but I would love to find out where you are in Georgia. My e-mail address is, clarinet_wood@hotmail.com, if you'd like to write to me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Schwab
Date: 2004-02-12 15:08
Dear 2nd Try,
I too, like many who have responded so far, have taken up the clarinet after a 20+ gap in years. My first few months were somewhat of a challenge but soon something clicked and much of it came back. Now, two years later, I've regained my old skills and then some.
I have to disagree with a comment msroboto made about the people who come back typically being the stellar players when they were younger. I was one of those who played 2nd and 3rd, and like you, I was distracted by the myriad of other activities I could get involved with. I think that's okay, especially when you're young. That's when you're beginning to discover who you are and what you're about. You have to try different things to do that. You shouldn't regret pursuing other things, even if it was at the expense of your clarinet playing. Now you're in a different season of your life and feel drawn to return to something you once enjoyed. That's great!
What has helped me beyond anything else was joining my church's orchestra. The music director is a local high school band/orchestra teacher whose ministry is to help us develop the gifts and abilities God has placed within us, as well as to provide an element to the worship service where we can use our God given (thought sometimes debatable) abilities to glorify Him. Having an outlet to be involved in has been essential.
An unexpected plus is that playing the clarinet has done wonders for my abs.
Good luck.
Bob Schwab
"The judgment of God has always come upon a nation when it is no longer acceptable to be a righteous man in that society." Ray Hughes
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-02-12 15:43
Welcome to the International Society of Rethreads (I-SORE). But what's this 15 year stuff? Pish-Posh, try 32 years!
I picked up the clarinet again 15 some months ago. I'm currently in a comunity concert band, a Dixieland band, and pick up in a Jazz ensemble and a Big Band. So grab your clarinet, get some reeds and fingering charts and a teacher if you want to get up to speed quicker and start play'n! If you can locate a community band, go for it once you have your chops back.
The only down side is when you find youself next to some 16 year old hot shot playing your socks off who gives you that, "can't you play any better than that" look. In which case ya look em on the eye and say, "ya little whipper snapper, in my day I could have blown ya out of here and not used either pinky doing it and that's after walking 10 miles in knee deep snow to band practice!" BG!
Welcome back and have fun!!!
Best
Rick
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2004-02-13 02:25
Just do it. I didn't play for over 20 years and went back to it when I was over 40yrs old.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-02-13 02:30
Like Dee says, "Just do it." I have one student who never played before she turned 50. She began lessons 2 years ago when a friend gave her a clarinet and a gift certificate for lessons. She had been told she was tone deaf (of all things) when she was a child, and it's taken a lot of good coaching and _independent work_ for her to continue improving.
You've got a head start on my student...you should just take up the clarinet again and the number one rule is: HAVE FUN!
All the best,
Katrina
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
