 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eric_Howardd12
Date: 2011-07-31 02:19
Hello , well my little sister is starting 9th grade. She was in beginning band in 6th grade and was always 1st- 3rd chair out of 20 players. Well in 7th grade she got out of band because she didnt like the director. Now, she wants to get back in , but im afraid she lost her talent. Any advice?
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2011-07-31 15:38
Yes--assure your sister she hasn't--because at least when it comes to the important stuff, she'll be amazed at how quickly she will progress to where she (almost) was when she left the instrument.
Now--I'm not equating the reintroduction of the clarinet to riding a bicycle...nor would I make this advise to the .0001% virtuosos of the population like Julian Bliss, were he at this age--playing at the virtuosic level he does/did.
But for the rest of us, yes, there's mouth muscle strength that needs to redevelop and fingerings that need to be relearned, and muscle memory in her fingers that her brain needs to recall (as opposed to re-learn) but middle schoolers have very adaptable brains!
In converse, assure her that she's lost the talent, even though she hasn't, and risk it becoming a self fulfillling phophesy.
Look near the top of the stack of threads of bboard messages right now (as of this writing)..a late 60 year old man writes about issues with scales as he takes up the instrument, having never learned it before--and this kind of stuff: (i.e. questions from older players, first taking up, or having learned 30+ years ago) is not uncommon here.
Best wishes in getting her to retake up the clarinet.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-07-31 16:04
Talent is innate and, if present, cannot be "lost". It's knowledge and, more important, skill that can fade with time. However, skill gained tends to return more quickly "second time around" and knowledge can be easily refreshed. Then, there is the attitude factor--if there's a will, there's a way. A positive feeling about something can ofter trump a lot of negatives with eventual success. Sooooo, if you little sister really wants to rejoin the band and re-learn the clarinet, she will succeed--and the more innate talent involved, the easier this will be. However, "attitude" is really "where it's at"and is the only thing you have to worry about. I'll let others suggest the importance of focused practice and perserverance...........
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-31 20:00
I know a girl who started clarinet in 6th grade beginner band. Her family moved in the middle of her 7th grade year and she attended a private school with no band program. Her family moved again when she was ready to attend high shool, where there was a very strong band program. After not having played for a year and a half, she auditioned for the band director...to see if he even wanted her in his program. She sat 1st chair her 10th--12th grade years, auditioned for every regional clinic/honors band she could, made All-State her senior year, majored in music in college and gave two recitals. She played in a wind ensemble at the school where she did her graduate studies.
She laid her clarinet aside to raise a family and returned, in earnest, to the clarinet years later.
I now enjoy playing and teaching middle school and high school students privately. When you put your mind to it, you CAN achieve your goals, with practice and perseverence! (Bet your sister can, too!)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-07-31 23:23
Just make sure she realizes she may not be at the same level as when she left. And she's going to get tired from playing quicker than she used to (may only be able to play a fraction of the amount of time per session than she used to). Other than that, play away and enjoy!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2011-08-01 21:59
What Alexi says about practice time and endurance is true, but at that age I doubt even that will last long as she works back into practicing. The fingers remember. I took a one month summer program after 4th grade. I didn't pick it up again until one month before 7th grade, starting lessons because I didn't want to be in beginning band. I ended up first chair in the intermediate band.
Hope she just relaxes and has fun with the instrument!
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