 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2000-11-08 18:08
Last year I took up the clarinet after a 30-year hiatus. I've been practicing and working with a music teacher. My goal is to join up with others and enjoy playing my instrument as a pleasurable hobby. Are there any experiences out there of others who have done this and how they went about it?
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2000-11-08 18:41
I'm not someone who took a long hiatus, but there are plenty that frequent this bulletin board and I am sure you will hear from them. I would just suggest that you look into joining a community band. If your music teacher can't refer you to one, call a local music store and ask them about local bands. In some cities, there are not only community bands but bands made of adults who are beginners or near beginners.
Welcome back!
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-11-08 18:52
I have a similar story. I had played clarinet in high school but after graduation pretty much put it away and got on with "life." Now, it's 21 years later and last December I started playing again. We have an orchestra at my church which is actually pretty high caliber, so I had a group to join, but I started by taking some lessons. I have continued the lessons as I enjoy growing and learning and developing my skills even further.
It does take a little time to build your embouchure up again, and my breathing technique was pretty bad to start with. I've seen a lot of gradual improvement though and really enjoy being involved in music again.
Many communities have bands or orchestras. You might try asking your teacher or local music stores and see what you can find out when you're ready.
Best wishes to you!
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-11-08 19:00
Most of us second-timers have done, are doing, pretty much what you are to get back into it, Debbie. Just keep it up - the rewards are, many times over, worth the effort.
Welcome back!
ron b.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-11-08 19:18
Debbie, check the thread back a page or two entitled "Besides Clarinets".. You will find that lots of us are starting over. I think it may just be more fun the second time around, except not as many neat concert tours.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-08 19:42
I too had a long (22 year) hiatus in my playing. It comes back, some slow, some fast. Getting a good teacher and joining a community band are very helpful in getting things going again.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-11-08 20:54
You will never regret starting over. Community band is a lot of fun, playing, meeting new people and learning. I joined the local community band 16 years ago after taking years off. I am still learning something new at every rehersal and have made some lifelong friends. Keep plugging away at the clarinet and have a ball.
SusieQ
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-08 22:32
Welcome back!
If I had anything I could do *BETTER* in "returning to clarinet", it would be NOT rushing the fundamentals. Of course, I know I didn't do it this well the first time around.
BUT, this time its for me, & the little things I did wrong starting back bother me. I know my hand position could have been better as a kid, & I re-learned some of those bad habits.
Thankfully, I have a teacher who knows how to (slowly & thoughtfully) correct me. I think my left hand & right hand position(s) are *MILES* better than they were when I was in school, & my "flying fingers" have calmed down & G#/A work more logically. I still let 'em "fly" occasionally, but slow careful practice of scales & thirds works wonders!
Best of luck.
mw
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-11-09 00:06
My wife and I started over after a 20+ year absence from playing. I didn't even know she played the when we were married. Now she and I plus our daughter play regularly in two different community bands. Its the best thing we ever did. Check with your local college music dept., high school band directors, music stores, and repair techs (repair techs seem to know more about whats going on), for a community band in your area. Welcome back and have fun!
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Author: William
Date: 2000-11-09 15:08
Above all, "just do it" and have fun. Welcome back and good clarineting.
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Author: The Dad
Date: 2000-11-09 15:44
I did the same after 25 years. Join a community group. You will find that you are probably as competent as most of the players, and if you aren't.. who cares. Just play
The most important thing is to have fun. Other players may say..hey go back and learn the fundamentals, do the scales, do all the things you did not like 30 years ago. I say to find a teacher who will have you learn by playing music that you like, and you work on the fundmnetals within the framework of the music. Make sure your teacher understands that you are an adult and not a kid.
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Author: SusieQ
Date: 2000-11-09 16:47
We still play scales and chords in different keys to warm up in Community Band and our director doesn't have too difficult of a time stumping us. The scales really make you think about your fingering and if they correspond with the music you are playing it will only help. You don't need to practice a lot of scales at every practice, only a few to warm up with. You would be suprised at how many people don't know their scales, and you can add me to that list, but they are getting easier.
SusieQ
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-09 22:21
All of us that go back are drawn back to the beautiful sound that is Clarinet.
We're the "Violins" of Symphonic Band & Wind Symphonies.
I have no doubt that some people have more or less time to practice. AND, some prefer to study in different ways. That's OK ...... DSFDF.
However, there is *NOTHING* wrong with paying lots of attention to fundamentals and "kid stuff". The way I am being re-taught I will never have to "backfill" on my learning experience. A lot depends on the type of music you wanna play. If you want to play French classics like Saint-Saen & Poulenc, or to have a REAL go at the Rondo in K.622 or Weber's Concerto no. 1, you have to know scales, left & right, major & minor. You have to live Chromatic fingerings & play with your left pinky's when you'd rather play with your right. When I was a kid I could slide very, very well, now SLID-e is a 4-letter word in our house.
I also understand someone who has no desire to play Classical or Legit, and wants to play Popular, Jazz, Klezmer, etc. Hey I love West Side Story. Gershwin is "classical" to me, too.
Whats great is NOW ... I have no time schedule, no NYSSMA or All-State tryouts. Nothing but when I want to do it.
Now its for us ....
mw
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2000-11-13 00:11
I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I did join a community band but I think I joined too soon because I couldn't keep up. Now I'm back just working with my music teacher. I'm thinking that maybe I should investigate other bands too as perhaps there are different "personalities" when it comes to bands. The one I tried, the conductor was really into FAST. I felt slow and old. But I don't want to give up. I continue to practice, scales, duets, and things I find fun.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-14 13:29
Age and guile beat youth and exuberance. Your intervening years have built an internal sound that beginning players may yet develop. My teacher is still coaching me to slow down, and avoid rushing. When you have that "I could play that." experience in the audience, you're more than ready.
Go gettem'
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