 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-05-09 21:33
Here I am, at mid-life, pondering whether to take up a new instrument. I love the clarinet and the guitar, but I've always had a yen to play the cello. Should I invest the time and effort to do this at this stage in my life? Am I better off continuing to focus on the clarinet and guitar?
Thanks!
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-05-10 00:20
wjk,
So many instruments, so little time..... ten years ago (when I was only 48), I got a similar urge to learn to play the flute so I know whereof you write.
The next 20+ years will go by whether or not you take up the cello and it would be a shame to eventually regret not having at least tried it. You could rent one and take a few lessons to see if it gives you as much satisfaction and enjoyment as the clarinet.
The only downside: I don't remember reading that GBK gives cello lessons so that could be a problem.
Regards and good luck,
Hans
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Author: Burt
Date: 2004-05-10 00:38
Unless you're concerned that playing cello will hurt your clarinet playing to the point of threatening your income for retirement, I agree with Hans. Go for it.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-10 00:45
We don' care what Momma don' allow,
Gonna play that 'cello anyhow....
... music's 'sposed t'be fun, no?
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: marcia
Date: 2004-05-10 01:16
Go for it. I have played clarinet for many years and have had a long standing desire to pay horn as well. Recently, at the music camp I have attended for the past ten years, we added a beginnig orchestra session. Last year I rented a horn and had lots of fun with it. I decided that rather than pay to rent one for several more years I would buy a cheap one, which is what I have done. I have progressed from where I was last summer and am having much fun with it. I know I will never achieve anywhere near the same level on it as my clarinet. The clarinet is still my major instrument and gets lots of my attention. I had the big "five-oh" last year so this is a long winded way of saying-it's NEVER too late to take up a new instrument. Have fun with it.
Marcia
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-05-10 02:07
I suspect part of my problem is psychological---the dilemma of spending money on myself vs. my family, and the notion of spending time on a "selfish pursuit" vs. devoting it to my family.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-05-10 02:47
It depends to some extent on how long you've been thinking about this 'cello thing. Is it on your short list of "ten things I want to do before I die," or did it just come to mind last week?
I've never met a musical instrument that I didn't like. Wish I could play all of them. I probably could have played a lot of more of them if I had just done it instead of dreaming about it. I finally took up the oboe last November, after wishing I could do it most of my life. And I'm very glad I did.
What does your family think?
Susan
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Author: ned
Date: 2004-05-10 07:23
''We don' care what Momma don' allow,
Gonna play that 'cello anyhow....''
Ron,
Some good George Lewis versions of that one.............played ferociously fast, but tasteful nonetheless.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-05-10 08:09
This 'selfishness concern' can cause dilemma, I agree.
What if you let other members of your family join your musical pursuit? That's what I try to do, to lessen the guilt of spending money on my learning the musical instrument. For example, I invite my husband to play his guitar to accompany my clarinet.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-10 11:22
By a good instrument, find the right bow and go mon...
If you buy a decent fiddle, depreciation at resale should not be much.
http://bassesonline.com/
Steve is a nice enough guy, and open to reasonable offers.
It's a great instrument, so why not play?
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Author: Pappy
Date: 2004-05-10 12:27
Definitely go for it! Cello is a great choice to pick up. I play at playing strings as well. There is certainly no harm to you Clarinet playing. In fact, the right had callous that a Clarinet player gets is similar to a callous developed by Cello players from the bow.
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-05-10 14:01
I suppose the time, energy and money we spend on our musical pursuits is well worth it in terms of stress reduction. It may even make us better parents, spouses, etc. It is probably cheaper than some pursuits (like collecting classic cars).
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-05-10 14:58
Increasing your knowledge and skill is never a bad investment. This is true for everyone except those who view learning as a negative experience. It seems very unlikely that you could be that sort of person.
Enjoy the violoncello!
Regards,
John
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-05-10 23:41
Actually, cello and clarinet sounds mix really well.
Last weekend, I accompanied my 9-year-old son's cello tune of 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star' with my clarinet, and even THAT sounded not too bad...
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-05-11 00:48
As a string player and woodwinder ... I'd say go for it, too. Especially seeing as the 'cello doesn't require you to bend your left arm unnaturally. This can be a problem when adults want to learn the viola/violin.
Would you, perhaps, consider piano/keyboard ... could be more useful in the long run.
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2004-05-11 14:57
Wjk,
Learning a new instrument is always very exciting, especially during the first couple of years. And learning a new instrument is good for the Brain.
The question I would ask you is how well do you play the other instruments: Guitar and Clarinet? I know several people who can play several instruments but none really well. It's like being able to say good morning, thanks and good night in ten languages. There is more value in knowing one well.
One Oboist friend of mine also plays the English Horn. She likes the different feel of the instrument. However, she could not possibly imagine playing the English Horn in her orchestra because she would have to practice at least two hours a day to be excellent.
One of the greatest appeals of the Clarinet for me is the large clarinet family. Have you explored the Eb or the Bass clarinet? Both of these instruments offer challenges that will keep you on your toes should you be looking for greener pastures.
So a crucial question is how much practice time do you have? Also, how good do you want to get? I believe the minimum goal for anyone learning an instrument is to be able to play the core repertoire reasonably well. Once this degree of compentency is achieved then you can play with others. For me the greatest satisfaction in music making is playing with others. So you want to get good enough so that people enjoy playing with you, (rather than merely tolerate).
If your goal is to be able to fiddle with another instrument from time to time, then go for it. Curiosity is best satisfied through active exploration.
Ron Jr.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-05-11 15:03
Go for it! But remember, the cello is just the string players' poor substitute for a bass clarinet.
My mid-life anti-boredom project is learning the oboe. Bought a Cabart cheap on eBay, overhauled it, bought some reeds while awaiting purchase of proper reedmaking tools and cane, practicing the horn a half-hour a day and making progress! It's fun.
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-05-11 16:03
It would truly be a dream to play the Bach solo pieces for cello, as well as to play in a string quartet. I really appreciate the great advice in this thread---I'll keep everyone posted. I will certainly continue clarinet and guitar----the physical/emotional benefits of music have been tremendous for me. I'm gradually finding it easier to get over the "guilt" of purchasing an instrument for myself (as opposed purchasing something for my kids or spouse), or the "guilt" associated with taking time for myself to practice or take lessons.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-05-11 19:27
In regard to guilty feelings, there's more than one kind.
Sometimes I have felt guilty because, well, I WAS guilty -- of ignoring my child, of spending too much of my husband's money, of ignoring responsibilities that needed to be attended to, and so forth. There are certain things in life to which we do have to accomodate ourselves, and sometimes do so less than perfectly.
On the other hand, I have also observed myself engaging in what I would call "pre-emptive guilt" -- in which I haven't actually done anything wrong, or poorly, or selfishly, but still feel as if I had done so. This generally is preceeded by a particular kind of neurotic ESP called "mind-reading", through which I ascertain that, even though no one in my immediate surrounding has expressed any discomfort at all about any of my behavior, I somehow come to believe that they ARE uncomfortable, or COULD BE uncomfortable, and thus conclude that I should cease and desist, or better yet, not even engage in whatever it was that I was contemplating in the first place.
Thus I end up dissatisfied with what I have chosen to do/not do, but very satisfied that I didn't cause anyone else any discomfort. As nearly as I can tell, this is called "being a martyr", and except perhaps in the case of religious persecution, leads to "being a grouch".
Antidote: ask your family how they feel about it. My bet is they'll support you in this -- unless, of course, you really ARE chronically ignoring them. Then maybe you could form a family ensemble?
Susan
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Author: wjk
Date: 2004-05-11 20:13
Susan---thank you---that was a particularly brilliant and insightful reply.
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2004-05-12 08:26
WJK-
Do it.
I took up oboe/EH at age 41 after plaing clarinet for 30+ years and am having the time of my life playing it. While I have nowhere near the facility on oboe that I have on clarinet, I'm not half bad and have been playing for local musicals.
It's not easy. You're likely to become frustrated, but stick with it.
KA
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-05-12 16:31
What is it with clarinetists and the cello anyhow?
David Dow
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-05-12 16:31
What is it with clarinetists and the cello anyhow?
David Dow
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-05-12 16:50
"What is it with clarinetists and the cello anyhow?"
David,
It's very simple, really:
1) All clarinetists actually want to play BASS clarinet, but most won't admit it.
2) The unrelated instrument which sounds most like a bass clarinet is the cello.
3) Therefore......some clarinetists learn cello as a surreptitious means of sounding more like a bass clarinet.
See how easy that was?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-12 17:25
What is it with clarinetists and 'cellists?
I play clarinet. My wife plays 'cello. After nearly fourty years together, we're still on speaking terms.
- rn b -
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