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Dreams of being ... a student

Author: Bill
Date: 2019-11-30 02:56

I've "played" the clarinet since 1992 (when I bought one for $65 at a flea market in Bethesda, MD). I was 32 then and am 60 now and have never studied the clarinet *except* for a super-rare, *very* few months with Ed Cabarga of the NSO (I know, not a bad place to start, right?!). In those years, I became more of a collector than a player.

I have to say I dream of living my life over and studying clarinet. No, I can't afford to go back to school.

Two things brought these musing on today: (1) seeing a photo of young Harold Wright strolling across Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, doubtlessly on his way to or from a lesson with Ralph McLane, and (2) entering "clarinet syllabus" into Google and pulling up the one by Richard Faria at Ithaca College. I read the whole thing! (I promise never to bring xeroxes to class and to attend every faculty recital and event! Yes!).

The grass is always greener elsewhere, and I have no doubt the study of clarinet is a difficult and probably profoundly discouraging one. But how I would have enjoyed focusing on my playing in my life (instead of having it as a "hobby" after I got home from work at 6:00) and studying with someone who really knew how to play!

I've had a lot of fun, anyway. Taught myself double-lip. Now I'm working on learning German system. I guess I'm my own teacher.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)

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