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RE: Getting started again

Author: ron
Date: 2000-01-28 07:08

Hi, Katie -

First of all - you don't sound like a bad person.

Many of us who visit here have, at one time or another, put away our instruments for much longer than a couple of years - and we're not bad people. I did, more than less, for thirty years or so and I'm not a bad person for it, just a lousy clarinet player. You, on the other hand, I'm sure will bounce right back to where you were in a short time.

A couple of questions come to mind:
1.) Do you have a horn and, if so, is it still in good working order?
2.) When did you start playing and how far did you get? I mean, were you in a band, orchestra, any kind of group - school or other?

When I've been away from playing for a while I find that long tones for short five minute periods, up to 15 to 30 minutes a day is about as good a way as any to get your chops back in condition. BUT, as soon as you begin to strain - stop, then come back to it later. Gradually increase the time over a month or so. That way you build up some endurance so you can play tunes all the way through without straining too much. Above all don't rush back into it - keep it in the area of a fun activity.

You might want to at least consider a few lessons. But maybe not, that's really difficult for anyone to comment about without knowing where (beginner, intermediate etc.) and what (kind of music) you were playing when you put it on hold; whether you read sheet music or play by ear or... ?

You seem to imply that you play(ed) (an)other instrumen(s). That would be helpful to know, too, since playing another instrument, as some of us do, string, brass, other reed inst. or percussion etc. is most often (in my opinion) an asset.

I personally wish you well and hope to see posts about your progress. Pretty soon you'll be offering us advice! This is a great place to exchange ideas of all kinds and encourage one another.

Above all, make it fun!

ron

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