 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: musicmom
Date: 2000-05-09 03:45
I just found this site while searching for stats on different clarinet brands. I had played for 11 years before my clarinet was stolen from my home. My son plays trumpet, my husband plays the piano, I want to play again too! So, I'm looking for a used clarinet (have a few in my sights on ebay) and want to play again. Any advice on beginning again? I was pretty good before, but am fearful my embrasure is shot. I'd love any advice or suggestions on starting over!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: steve
Date: 2000-05-09 13:34
I'm sorry your horn was stolen This makes me angry. Stealing an instrument is like part of your body being stolen....
you'll find that after a long layoff, everything is shot...embrochure, knowledge of alternate (and standard!) fingerings, breath...it's like being crippled, except your memory is intact...
NOT TO WORRY!!!!
find a skilled teacher who takes on adults....a lot of times, they will jump at the chance to teach a highly motivated, mature musician...practice, practice practice, and bang...it all comes back, and then you find that you make faster progress than when you were younger....
as for a horn....you're an adult with money (I never got used to that fact....man, I can buy my dream horn at AGE 46 and mom and dad can't say anything!!!)....think used Buffet R-13, then get a pro overhaul, then get one of Greg smith's mp.....wow..it's fun to be mature!!!
Dr revelli said never stop playing your horn...true, but sometimes this is easier said than done.....what he didn't say is after a lay off, jump right back on and join the fun again!!!!
good luck!!
s.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-05-09 14:11
Getting started again is easier then getting started. People who have never done something really have a hard time starting something new. In your case (and mine) you know what was there and where you want to go. So go for it.
You can also check out Sneezy classified, I would suggest getting the best you can afford. One of the main thing I have learned on this board is that reed, mouthpiece and Lig are of the unmost importance.
Have fun.
bob
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-05-09 15:14
I'm a comeback player, too. The bad news is: Yes, your embouchure is shot. The good news is: It will probably come back a lot faster than you expect. I was very surprised and pleased at how fast things came back. I hadn't turned into Sabine Meyer by magic --darn!-- but I did find that I rather quickly started doing some things *better* than I did them as a teenager, because as an adult I had more patience in my practicing and was more methodical about setting realistic goals and working steadily toward them. Playing the clarinet turns out to be like riding a bicycle -- the knowledge really is still there, waiting for us to pull it up out of deep storage. Welcome back and good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Donn
Date: 2000-05-09 15:59
Get yourself a good horn, mpc and lig, and you can always get your money back if things don't work out. I feel that, having been over the same road, you will succeed if you WANT to. Welcome back, and have fun. Best regards.......Donn
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-05-09 16:04
I think the main thing is desire. We are now doing what we want to do. When we were younger we were doing what others told us to do. Now we fine out that they were the smart one and we were the dummies. Better late then never.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meredith H
Date: 2000-05-09 23:46
You will be surprised how much you remember.
Starting again can be a little bit frustrating as you will remember how easy it used to be. Have a little bit of patience, find a teacher, join a band and most of all, have fun.
You will find heaps of great information at Sneezy.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Debbie
Date: 2000-05-10 00:18
Go for it. Six months ago I posted on this site a similar question. I had played the clarinet for 7 years and then had a 30-year hiatus. Well the encouragement I got from this site prompted me to do it. I have a music teacher and he has been a dream. Granted it is embarassing (only at first) that some of my fellow students only come up to my chin) but it has been a fabulous experience. I am now gearing up toward joining the community band. To begin with I leased a Yamaha student clarinet, but I am sufficiently committed now and am planning to purchase either an E-13 or a Buffet International. These are both intermediate clarinets. I want to try them out before I purchase them. I can't believe how much fun I'm having and how much I've learned and this forum is fabulous. GOOD LUCK!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2000-05-10 06:15
My wife and I quit for almost 20 years then started again when our daughter started band. Yes, it will come back faster than you think. Yes you will get frustrated trying to play something you whizzed through as a youngster. DO get an instructor to help you. Mainly to correct any bad habits you perfected in school (I had several as my band directors were brassmen). Find a good community band to put that talent to work and play as a family. Its fun.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
