Author: RKing
Date: 2019-05-06 18:01
Beth,
This thread is an excellent idea and even though I don't consider myself a rank newbie, I was away from the instrument so long that I basically had to re-learn it when I came back.
How long have you been playing clarinet?
I have been back at it for about four years. I first learned to play in the 5th grade (1957!) school band, but dropped it when we couldn't afford the extra lesson cost in Junior High. I was also taking piano lessons.
Are you taking private lessons or are you learning on your own?
I started taking private lessons to re-learn the saxophone in 2013 and added the clarinet a year later, so I could re-learn it, too.
How often do you practice? How long are your practice sessions?
I generally practice twice a day, 30 minutes or so each time.
What method book are you using? Do you like it? Hate it? Why?
Rubank. We used this book in grade school and my private teacher uses it today. I have studied sax, clarinet, and flute - and Rubank is the method I have always used. It is a boring blue book and it works best if you have a teacher to guide you along. But it can be challenging and it seems to work.
What's your current "setup" (clarinet, mouthpiece, reeds, other)?
I have a Yamaha 255 "plastic fantastic" and a Buffet R-13. I have a dozen or so mouthpieces. I started on a Selmer Goldentone in school. Then re-started on a Fobes Debut in 2014, switched to a Fobes Cicero 12, and I am now using a Vandoren B45 Lyre with Vandoren Blue Box #2 and Aria #3 reeds.
I have a support brace where I can rest the bell of the clarinet and there is no pressure on my right thumb right now, so I can practice and try to regain the strength and control in my right hand (see below). I do not have enough strength to assemble the horn, so the Yamaha has been semi-permanently assembled. The Buffet will wait inside its case until I get well.
Do you have a musical goal?
I want to recover from all of my medical issues (spinal fusion and wrist fusion), so I can play the clarinet in my community band. I started in the band on the tenor sax and played the bass clarinet in my last two concerts. But my favorite instrument is the soprano clarinet and that is the one I want to play.
What is your greatest joy in learning clarinet?
The sound of the instrument. It makes beautiful music. I grew up watching Pete Fountain play on the Lawrence Welk show and always wanted to sound like him. I'll never make it, but I can dream!
What is your biggest challenge right now?
Recovering from wrist fusion surgery, so I can hold the clarinet properly and use my right hand properly. I injured my hand in a crash about 40 years ago and have not been able to hold the clarinet since then. It is very frustrating to see small children hold and play the clarinet very well and I cannot even hold on to it for more than 10 minutes. So I get to start all over once again. <LOL>
What has surprised you the most?
How much fun I am having with music right now. I played my way through college, but was never good enough to make a living in music. It is so much more fun to play and not have to worry about the grocery money!
Cheers,
Ron
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
