 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tb0b
Date: 2000-12-11 01:41
I was wondering...when people (like professionals) get older, do they ever have trouble playing as well as they did when they were young? Like maybe have trouble playing as fast or something. The things that take a lot of "physical" stuff. Do older people ever have any problems playing?
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-12-11 01:50
Well I can honestly say I'm having a harder time. When I started back up playing after a 20 absence I was doing pretty good and making some good progress dispite the dammage done to my hands and fingers over the years from my career in the USCG. Since I had my 4-way bypass its gone down hill a bit and I find it harder to do some of the faster fingerings I was doing before the surgery. I also notice the cold seems to affect my hands more now too.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-12-11 02:58
Of course,YES. This is a subject on which I can speak with fair authority! I now classify myself as semi-pro since any honoraria is small to insignificant. When I play well [in my opinion or by sincere compliment] I believe I am still improving musically via intonation, phrasing, watching notations and volume. While being in generally good health, I do have to concentrate harder, count more carefully and with somewhat diminished eyesight and hearing, ask for a bit of help from conductors and players at times. My minor-repair skills and general knowledge of clarinets and music have improved by reading-studying and the fine contacts via our BBoard and chats [ also the "early" and "bass" clarinet group sites] . All in all, music has provided enjoyment and challenge which makes growing older much less forboding.. Lets hear it for us gray panthers!! Don
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-12-11 04:00
I recently heard that my old teacher (2nd chair in a professional symphony orchestra) is sitting with the 3rd clarinets in a local wind ensemble. He explained to his standmate that he doesn't like 'doing what he has to do' to play in the top register anymore.
I find myself struggling more with my embouchure (R&B saxophone is probably a major factor) and with tendon pain in my right elbow. (Neck strap time?) (Age 41)
Allen
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-11 04:07
i disagree I'm 65 and I'm better then I ever was. As a kid i had no interest, no talent and didn't give a darn.
Today I have an interest, not much talent but I sure give a darn. So I'm better then I ever was and getting better everyday.
We can do anything we want no matter what the numbers are. My mother in law got a black belt in judo at the age of 93.
Do want you want and enjoy what you can do.
Peace
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-11 10:47
Author: Allen Cole wrote:
I find myself struggling more with my embouchure (R&B saxophone is probably a major factor) and with tendon pain in my right elbow. (Neck strap time?) (Age 41)
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I recall that I was in my worst physical shape during my early 40s. Now almost 20 years later, I feel I'm in the best shape I've ever been. I started exercising regularly and eating healthier food.
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Author: DLE
Date: 2000-12-11 11:33
I think it must depend on general fitness. If you've been healthy for most of you're life and have exercised and all that, then you'll play well until the day you die. Having increased breathing capacity helps with long phrases...... actually that's a good point! - To tb0b: What kind of 'physical stuff' are you reffering to?
If he's reffering to the fingers, then arthritis and reaumatism(sp.) doesn't help I guess. But then, I'm not a doctor - though I'm sure that someone out there is!!!!
As for me, I'm going to use the example of my clarinet partner for orchetra - he's going into his 60's by now I should think. He can still hit all the notes, and can play very loudly, BUT has some trouble with rhythms, and general memory of each piece we play (And the order they go in sometimes).
I could go on, but that would be tedious.
DLE.
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-12-11 13:50
Here is a view on this from witnessing older players vs younger players. I run an auditorium that hosts a symphony orchestra. Over the last year they did a few things for various reasons and ended up with younger players usually from Universities in the state. Many of the older players were not playing. Technically the music was fine. What it did lack was feeling. The younger players, while playing technically perfect, did not have the experience to play it as musically as the older players. The orchestra has changed managers and the last concert many of the older players were back. There was more music in the music. It just goes to show there is more than technique to playing music.
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Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2000-12-11 16:31
My teacher studied with Robert Marcellus in his late years. I'm told that Marcellus played even after he went completely blind and was still able to do things like tell people to stop puffing their cheeks and stuff like that.
Amanda Rose
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-11 18:29
I suppose that one rather objective measurement could be the one employed in professional athletics. In what age groups do you find most of the standout world-class musicians? I'm afraid I don't keep up with who plays where and thus can't cast a vote, but many posters here DO have that knowledge.
Of course, this presupposes that: 1) players in the other age groups would choose to play the top jobs if they could; and 2) players in the other age groups would be given the opportunity if they were the best player available . . .
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Author: Bluewater
Date: 2000-12-12 01:16
September of this year, is the first time this senior woman has played clarinet since 1957. In her mid sixties,and with complications, she has moved from 3rd clarinet to 2nd after eight short weeks in the fifty five piece college band. This Senior is having a 'blast' eventhoug she does not hit all the fast runs or the highest of high notes. "Are you having fun," ask our director! My reply..."Oh you bet!" ... Any added suggestions on proper breathing are welcome!
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-12-12 02:26
Hey, Tigers, why are we playing at our ages, anyway. To get rich or to have fun and enjoy doing it?. I am 70, still play some, teach a lot, and conduct a community band. Yes, I have my aches and pains, had a 4-way bypass this summer, but I still have fun. I have a blast because I can show the younger guys and gals usually an easier way to play a passage, or a way to make it sound better with much more pleasing sound, etc. I want to pass my knowledge on to some younger players rather than hear a hard rock music (?) group play all the time.
Let's face it. We won't be here forever, and we can enjoy ourselves and help the younger genertion do better. Isn't that what it's all about
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-12-12 03:01
Black belt at 93? Did you play Devo's greatest hits on a sax outside her window at 1am?
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2000-12-13 15:23
Hey Bob Curtis, maybe we "geezers" (I'm 75) should start a new thread about "organ recitals" as I try to play with dual digital hearing aids. Sounds like the treble tone controls are turned all the way up. Sounds better with them out. Maybe that's why I bought an Eb alto to play with--thatI can hear. Ha! Ha!
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-14 00:31
One thing about it, guys . . . playing becomes a whole new experience when you are doing it for pure enjoyment and without the pressure of meeting others' expectations. I read with passing interest the threads about playing notes belonging in the stratosphere . . . none for me, thank you. Surprised some folks the other night playing the Hallelujah (sp?) Chorus . . . got around real well on the high E's . . . right proud of myself. I had to take my lazy man's mp and soft reed off and put my 5RV and harder reed back on to even attempt it though. So much fun . . . and not a lick of pressure. It just doesn't get any better than this.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-14 13:40
Way to go Fred---Just keep doing what you enjoy doing and you will get younger everyday. Is it amazing that in some people lives nothing is happening. Ask some younger people and they say SOS.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-12-14 18:44
I agree with Fred here as I don't really enjoy playing in the altissimo range like I did when I was younger. Our community band recently play the "Cow Town March" and even the third parts are way up there. It's a good little piece and a good challenge but it would be better with a chorus of E-fers or little Ab's.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-14 20:57
To Allen Cole,
I'm from the same decade (what color was your prom tux?), and have recurrent tendinitis of the right elbow as well.
I tried the Claricord, but found it restricting.
I really like the Ton Kooiman thumbrest. It shifts the carrying position back toward the lowest joint, away from the tip of the thumb. The student version is around $30 and has lots of adjustment.
The top line version is stupid expensive these days, but offers the greatest flexibility.
I dunno about the rest of the gang here, but I picked up the clarinet in order to torture my neighbor's cats.
anji
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-12-14 21:02
Since you mentioned cats. When I practice the guitar or play a cd (with some volume) the cat simply goes into another room. When I play the clarinet the only thing the cat wants is to be petted. Sometimes she drives me nuts. She will even jump up and try and get on my shoulders. What's with that?
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-15 12:47
Does your clarinet sound like a can opener?
That's the only thing to get a rise out of the neighbor's feline.
When I play, it sounds like a sack of cats on the way to the river.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-12-15 21:44
Bob Amey:
I received hearing aids during the last few years of teaching and had to take them out because of the same reson - THE BAND WAS JUST TOO LOUD!!! Thank goodness my hearing loss was minimal and I can do without them most of the time. I mainly use them for conversational classes, but never for playing or band rehearsal. I have a Barisax player who plays in my community band who "can't hear it thunder" but gets a lot of fun out of playing in the band and is an excellent woodwind repair specialist. When he gets off I just point it out to him and he joins righ back in with the rest of the group. We have fun playingm, and we have doctors, retired symphony players, undertakers, laywyers, housewives, bankers, high school students, etc. We play because we enjoy doing it and offer a service to our community to boot!
Keep It Up, Grey Panthers.
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Author: Wes Brown
Date: 2000-12-17 15:46
Hi!
About a year and a half ago, Ben Kanter passed away at the age of 93 as a result of a brain tumor he had developed a few months earlier. He was a legendary Los Angeles studio player who told me that he had played the Rhapsody in Blue cadenza on the road with George Gershwin for 27 days in a row, in about 1927. I studied with him starting about 1958 for about 3 years. The last few years before he died, I sat beside him weekly in an orchestra and, to me, he was in full command of his instrument, as well as he ever had been. He was a student of R. Mazzeo, who also lived and played a very long time.
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