Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2014-07-28 20:00
Now aged 76, started in my teens, played semi-pro for five years then stopped. Quite recently I took the clarinet up again after a 40 year lay-off and practised for a year before joining a local concert band. I am now on third clt (back in the day I was 1st) and struggling but enjoying myself.
I find my reading is not what it was, especially on third. Oddly,I am better able to read the first parts which seem to have fewer tricky passages clearly meant for second violins. Those guys never have trouble breathing it seems. This may be partially an eyesight problem but I am better on runs than syncopation with constant changes. I particularly dislike the rapidly tongued staccato chunks with 24 to the bar as I tend to lose count plus end up with a sore tip to my tongue. My breath control is less good than when I was 22 years old, my fingering is I think only a bit slower but my high notes are a somewhat dicey. I once could play C above top C safely and in tune every time. I top out at G right now. My main problem is a sore right thumb joint, osteo-arthritis, and I am trying out a Kooimans thumb rest. As I have only had it for a couple of days, it is too soon to be sure if it will fix it but is seems to be helping a little. At least I have no trouble reaching any of the keys. I play a Van Doren B40 mouthpiece, number 3 reeds, and have just bought a Ridenour Lyrique as a present for myself. Love it!
And I enjoy playing again, especially in the band, a lot. We had my first public concert last week.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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