 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Jim
Date: 2002-07-09 23:25
Seems that I am not the only oldster that has taken up the clarinet after 30+ years. I have not played one since 1958 or there about. Did not really like it and went on to play brass instruments through high school, as I thought horns were more macho for a guy to play. Gave up playing music when I went into the service, as I was told that only ......, and ....... played in the band. So that ended my music career.
I have always liked, and listen to music all the time. So decided to take up playing the clarinet again. My other choice was the piano, but did not want to have to buy one, as I would have to remodel a room for one.
I had my first lesson today, and the teacher said that my tone was real good and had the makins of a good student. So I am on my way.......
Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jean
Date: 2002-07-09 23:53
You go Jim....I am so excited for you taking up an instrument. I wish my dad still played but alas his hearing is horrible. Are you telling us you can teach an old dog new tricks?
I think the group needs to have a paper signed by your mother that shows how many minutes you have practiced each day.
Best of luckm and gald to hear your tone is good. As clarinetists that is what we are all striving for.
Jean
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jim
Date: 2002-07-10 02:02
Jean,
Thanks for the encouragement. I will need all the help I can get. I have been playing around with the clarinet for about a month now. I am really enjoying it. It is amazing on how your memory can bring things back. The 5 or 6 yrs I played the trombone in gradehigh school band, has helped.
Even my wife is kind of impressed with how I am doing. That meaning, that I am not all squeaks, and squawks as I remember my first time playing the clarinet.
Today, waiting to go for my lesson, was almost like going to my first day of school. Kind of exciting, but I did not get a new pair of blue jeans (with cuffs rolled up), or a new shirt.
I have been practicing for about 2 hours a day. As my Mom is not around to verify that, you'll just have to take my word for it. <g> But I am dedicated to accomplishing this task, and my goal is to play on stage with a local orchestra. If there is one.
Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2002-07-10 03:19
Go for it Jim! You'd be surprised at how many Clarinet "retreads" there are out there and on this site. The wealth of information found on this site is second to none, thanks to a lot of good folks out there. Welcome to clarineting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-07-10 05:38
Jim-
I am about 8 months further on than you. I stopped in 1966...for no apparent or explicable reason. The music always appealed to me, but it took my son's love for playing to make me realize what I had been missing. Now I have played 4 concerts with a community band and two with a clarinet choir...with more on the schedule. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Best wishes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2002-07-10 06:51
What you will find is that playing the clarinet is a wonderful way to enhance retirement regardless of your level of playing. There seems to be no concern about age in musical organizations as far as I can tell. Good luck and stick with a teacher as it is so easy to learn habits not conducive to musical playing if you learn by your self.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Karel
Date: 2002-07-10 12:11
Jim,
I started from scratch at 62. Learning at our age is a slower process than it is for the youngsters, but I believe we make up for that by determination. Keep it up.
Karel.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-10 13:38
Sorry, I dont qualify as a "retread" or other description! I did "slow-down" a few times since 1929, but have persevered, there was WW II, sent home for my cl and sax, did give up my [local] symp. seats to better clists and oboists 1979. Have survived the vision and hearing downers, "Dont Sit Under The T's" [trombone, tpts, tymps] or you will hear about it!!, as well as physical stamina. I do some student-horn repair, still play comm band-church gigs, but have pretty-well given up the exhausting musicals, dern it. Hang in there, all you [us] "olders", we need to keep on encouraging the newbies and advancers, and answer their BBoard questions, and as PBS says, "Stay Curious"!! Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-07-10 14:00
Jim..welcome to the Halfzeimer's Club(we've only forgotten half of what we knew). Can't say that I agree with one writer's comment about "self learning". I certainly support learning from a teacher but there have been a lot of musicians past and present who were self taught and who have added much to our musical enjoyment and innovation.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: beejay
Date: 2002-07-10 14:04
You should see the replies to my question about young clarinetists on this BB, a couple of pages back. It shows that music is one place where there is a lot of common ground between generations.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Charlie Halter
Date: 2002-07-10 18:58
To all you retreads,
After playing 7 years in Jr & Sr High School (1960 grad) in New Jersey I left my clarinet until 2 years ago. I now live in Kentucky. I never took lessons - kinda played by ear and whatever. Two years ago I bought a used clarinet and played at home for a year. Then I decided that I wanted to play in a band or something. Soooooo I called Doc Livingston - a well known sorta retired clarinet player here in Kentucky. My first lesson was like this ----- "play me a piece" after two bars he said "STOP STOP LETS START AT THE BEGINNING"! Boy did I need lessons and glad of it now.
I took lessons everyday for a year and practiced everyday for 2-4 hours EVERYDAY. I was even good enough to play in the summer concert series for 2 months last year. This year my work has interfered with playing in the concert but I still practice. I bought play along cds and many music books.
In about a year I plan to retire BUT my clarinet will NOT! I guess I am a RETREAD. I still have a ways to go to become a solid player but I keep working at it --- and that my friends is part of the fun - keep trying and having REAL FUN!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-11 01:17
I'm a retread clarinetist - but I don't quite qualify as an oldster yet. You go, enjoy!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2002-07-18 02:21
To the group -- I am the principal conductor of a community band in Texas which is made up of primarily "older" individuals. Some of our players have not touched their instrument in 35 years or more and are having a blast. Our oldest active player is 83 and drives around 65 miles every Tuesday with his wife (a couple of years younger) to play with our band. We play several concerts a year and and thoroughly enjoy it. All of you keep it up and you will have the time of your life doing somethiong you enjoy and helping others enjoy the fruits of your labors. By the way, I am 72 and have played the clarinet since I was 10 years old and am still enjoying it!
Bob Curtis
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
