 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chipper
Date: 2005-10-18 14:03
Last night was the first time I've ever played with a band, the Auburn NY Civic Band. I'm 50, been playing less than 2 years, never even carried a tune in a bucket untill then. Couldn't read a note before that either. So this is an enormous step. Those of you who have been playing a long time may have to streach your memory to grasp the magnitude of this event for me.
So I said I'd do no harm. Yeah, right. I got some of the notes right some of the time and was able to play a bar or two in time. This was all sight reading for me as I've never seen these arrangements before. One thing, when I play alone in my living room if I loose my place or come to a hard passage I can slow down or stop, then start again at my own liesure. Only the faulty metronome to blame. Not so with the band. The tune must go on!
So I will continue to practice with the band. One thing I noticed is that the etudes I've been practicing have similar patterns to the pieces we're playing. I will continue to practice them. We played a march and it was similar to one from my method book except the band played it in cut time. Yikes!
Oh, and I've figured out why musician's pay is low; its so much fun that I'd actually PAY for the privelege of playing in a band. 
C
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2005-10-18 14:09
Chipper - congratulations! Glad you are having fun. Your post suggested two things to practice: playing your etudes without stopping, no matter how messed up you get. Then, practice just the smaller parts you have trouble with until you can put it all back together. You mentioned seeing similar patterns, so scales and arpeggios are an efficient way to learn the patterns you will see over and over in your band music. Good luck.
johng
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-10-18 15:28
Congratulations!!! Playing with a group, at least to me, is infinitely better than playing by oneself. Keep practicing and enjoy!!!
Clayton
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-18 15:48
Good for you, Chip - Keep at it, it'll just get better, and more relaxed. I echo the "dont do harm" motto, on bass cl, I often have some very difficult fingerings [read an above thread], so if unsure, I play softly or just let the tubas/bassoons have it . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-10-18 16:00
When you take on those challenging passages, play them as slow as you need to to get all of the fingerings perfect. Make sure all the breaks go cleanly. Make 100s of repetitions until the notes flow smoothly and expressively under your fingers. Then speed up.
After that, you'll be better able to play that sequence of notes when they show up in a chart.
Kool, keep at it; and be grateful to your new colleagues. Find friends amongst them and do duets.
I've been, for a year trying to stop stopping when I err. Its difficult for me, because I've sat alone working on things. Break the stop habit now --it'll only get more difficult later.
Bob Phillips
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-10-18 16:36
Thank you for sharing, Chipper
...and sparking a few memories.
Many, most, some, well a few of us anyway can remember our first time playing in a group setting. From then on the struggles and the laughs, the good times and the tense ones all worked to bring acquaintances as well as strangers together and made for some lasting friendships among music makers and listeners alike. As time went on, we got a little better at it too. Well, most of us did, others migrated to other interests. Many of us were not kids when we got into making music, though maybe a lot of us were. It doesn't matter. What does matter is the fun and satisfaction that comes with the wonderful world of musical involvement, interaction and a good time together. I know of no better way to make friends and have fun.
Happy Tootin', Chipper!
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-10-18 20:52
You just participated in one of Life's greatest joys; enjoy it while you can.
Bob Draznik
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2005-10-19 12:34
Hooray, Chipper, and congratulations.
And echoeing Ron B, I thank you for sharing your story. Regardless of age/gender/nationality/ and what not, music making is universally fun: I learn it again from reading this thread.
Being in a band (or other group setting) gives us opportunity to grow, not only musically but also in all aspects, I think.
Lucy Lee Jang
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