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Re: How to re-begin?

Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2018-10-11 23:47

Hi, Dmax. welcome back to the world of the clarinet.

I returned to playing at age 66 after being away from it for over 35 years. Two years later it is my passion. There are some really good suggestions in the comments above, many of which helped me along in getting back to having fun playing.

I second Fuzzy's suggest to play "fun" stuff, whatever that is for you. "Fun" is motivating. "Fun" is what makes you want to keep playing.

If you're lucky to live in an area that has one or more community bands open to returning musicians, I found that that was my real ticket to rebooting my skills once I felt comfortable that I could play (and read) simple pop tunes and marches again. Some American Legion posts and social clubs have bands open to non-members as well. (A community orchestra would work too, although they typically don't use as many clarinets. Bands use lots of clarinets.) If there is one around, make contact and ask if they will let you sit in in last chair to see if you can hang with them. Many of the more seasoned players may be happy to welcome you and mentor you along. I found that playing with others in such a group not only dragged me along in skill-bulding and motivation, but gave me the bonus of a social network of musicians. I also found it important to give myself permission (and to make it known to others) that when the going got too tough (which is will for awhile) I would simply drop out and not get in the way until we got back to a place that I could handle. (It helps if you're not the only one playing that part.) I started last chair in a 25-piece Am. Legion band with four other clarinets only months after returning to playing - and they were happy to put up with me. Two years later I'm playing better than I did when I quit all those years ago (although I still have trouble with five sharps). The music may not excite you if you were into chamber music and classical before, but playing with any group will will help kick-start your skills.

This bulletin board is a treasure trove of info and wisdom. I read it and learn from it all of the time.

Good Luck and Happy Playing!

Ken

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How to re-begin? new

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2018-08-20 21:29