 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sue
Date: 2002-12-22 17:04
Hi folks !
I`ve just got my first ever clarinet for my 50th birthday - a Buffet B12 Bb and I`m hooked !
I`m not a musician as such - played the violin for a while at school but never really took to it - always wanted to play a wind instrument and finally after all these years I`ve got one !
I`ve had it just a month now - started on 1.5 Rico reed (couldn`t get a peep out of the 2.5 that came with it !!!)have progressed to a 2 comfortably and can just manage 2.5. Don`t think my embouchure is too good though - my muscles aren`t what they used to be !!! Ho hum !
Anyone else started playing at such a tender age as me I wonder ???
If so, how are you getting on ??
Any tips for an old lady just starting ????
All greatfully recieved !
Thanks and a very merry Christmas to you all
Sue
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-12-22 18:18
there are a whole bunch of us that started latter then you. Just have a postive outlook and have fun. Who knows someday you may have your own CD.
Merry Christmas
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-12-22 19:42
Welcome and I hope you enjoy playing. There are a bunch of "older" folks on here. Somehow 50 doesn't sound that old to me anymore, now that I'm 42. I played all through school and then about 3 years ago decided to start playing again. It has been and still is great fun. It will take some time to build your embouchure.
Merry Christmas!
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-12-22 19:47
Gee Sue, you're much too young to join our "Geezer Club" (70 +) but welcome anyway Ha! Ha! Ain't it great???
Bob A
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Author: Rick
Date: 2002-12-22 20:08
Hi Sue:
As Nike says, "Just Do It!" ...g
I started again at age 48 and I'm having a blast! For suggestions, I recommend finding a teacher. Even if your playing just for fun, it is fun to play better and a lot of issues that can hold you back go away quickly with a little help!
So go forth, make music and a Merry Christmas to you too!
Best
RW
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-12-22 20:17
Age doesn't make any difference in itself. Many people don't start instruments at later ages because they have other interests, duties, obligations, etc, which keep them from having time for practice and performance.
It would be good to take lessons every week from the best teacher you can find as this will make sure you don't develop habits that get in the way of playing well. It will motivate you also. Your instructor can check your equipment to make sure it does not limit your progress. Later, you can find a community band to start playing third clarinet in. They will be happy to have you. Good luck!
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-12-22 21:21
Hi Sue,
I started in July of this year at 55. I had not touched a clarinet for over 40 years.
Am doing pretty good if I do say so my self. Not ready for a public performance, but my wife does not complain about the noises coming out of my practice room anymore. <g>
The only advice that I can possibly be qualified to give at this time would be to take some lessons if you can. Mine have been well worth the time and expense.
One more thing, practice and enjoy.
Jim
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-12-22 21:38
Sue,
You may want to find a different mouthpiece. Generally, Buffets, even the professional ones come with something that isn't worthy of the name. If you were here in the State I would recommend a Fobes Debut, but I don't know if they are available in the UK.
Gary
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Author: Simon
Date: 2002-12-22 22:15
Sue
You mentioned about read grading i.e. can't get a sound out of 2.5 . Don't be too concerned about read strength. Concentrate on the quality of the sound. Eventually with time you will work up to a harder reed if need be.
There is heaps of information on this BB on reeds , just do a search.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-12-22 23:35
Please allow me to also welcome you to the woodwind world, Sue. Thank you for sharing. It's likewise an encouragement to the rest of us.
I started clarinet in grammar school, played many years then quit. Then came back to it and took another leave. Came back to it off and on a few times and now am fairly consistently playing again. I'm an old fella now, as close to being a Geezer as one gets
You're certainly not alone and you'll find loads of encouragement here all the way from pro to would-be to has-been and returnee. We share the same frustrations and accomplishments.
A true confession...
I've always, as long as I can remember, had a secret yearning to play the violin :|
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-12-23 03:00
A mouthpiece is probably the best value additional investment. I started with a "Hite Premiere" and was very happy with it. If not available in the UK, use one of the mail order places in the US with a credit card. I do that from Australia quite successfully. And the best of luck.
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Author: Sue
Date: 2002-12-23 21:45
Hi Again,
Thanks to all of you - it's great to read your replies - the idea of making a cd really made me laugh and Ron's secret yearning to play the violin made me smile too !
Thanks for your advice too - I've had four lessons so far which I've found helpful but I've not been able to play for the last 10 days due to chest infection :(
Still I'm better now and raring to go again !
Really interested in hearing your views about the mouthpiece - in my ignorance I didn't appreciate that there were different ones - I'll certainly be having a little surf after Christmas to see what I can find - thanks for the tip.
I work with older people and my aim is to be able to play a few carols for them next Christmas without making a complete fool of myself !!!
I could manage "Away in a Manger" before I was ill so there's hope for me I guess !!
Anyway...thanks again to you all for your support and a very Merry Christmas.
Sue
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Author: leonard a
Date: 2002-12-30 02:07
Just to add my two cents worth, I played alto sax in high school 40 years ago and recently decided to take it up again. I have since added a tenor sax and a few weeks ago decided to try the clarinet just to be well-rounded. I admit, it's much harder than the sax, but I am able to get some decent tones in the lower register now and can play the middle register very erratically. I understand however that it does take time to be able to "cross the break," so that doesn't bother me. I agree with the suggestions to work with a teacher. Sometimes my teacher can give me a pointer without which I would keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
Good luck.
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Author: Sue
Date: 2003-01-01 19:30
Hi again everyone,
Thanks for your reply Leonard. It's nice to know I'm not the only new player over 40 around !!!
I can get a reasonable tone in both the middle and lower registers now but not the upper one as yet ! But I can't seem to get a decent tone on either E in middle register or B in the upper in particular for some reason.
I know that I have a tendency not to hold the clarinet firmly enough so maybe that's the reason why.
Happy New Year to you all
Sue
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