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Musicians

cbayer

(146,218 posts) Tue Sep 11, 2012, 04:20 PM Sep 2012

I've decided to learn how to play the clarinet. [View all]

As a child, I wanted to learn the clarinet but was forced to take years of piano lessons.

So, now, well into my 50's, I have found and purchased a clarinet on the internet.

There is no one around here to teach me, so I ordered a "Dummies" book to get the basics. I also ordered a fingering book and 1.5 reeds.

Any advice from others would be greatly appreciated. This could be a huge flop, but it might be the breakthrough my right brain has yearned for my entire life. I am so left brained, it's a surprise that I can even walk upright, lol.

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39 replies

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Highlight:

I've decided to learn how to play the clarinet. [View all] cbayer Sep 2012 OP

good for you.... dhill926 Sep 2012 #1

I live in an area without anyone around that might teach me. cbayer Sep 2012 #2

Go for it! I took up guitar at 61 and love it... Scuba Sep 2012 #3

Thanks Scuba! cbayer Sep 2012 #4

Spam deleted by Warren DeMontague (MIR Team) BerthaWarsitz Sep 2012 #5

I took up guitar at 61 and love it... Flashmann Mar 2013 #37

The reeds might be too thin... Bladian Sep 2012 #6

It comes with some 2's, so I will start there. I had read about starting with 1.5's, cbayer Sep 2012 #7

I had my band students start with 1 1/2 TrogL Feb 2013 #23

I am doing pretty well with the lower register, but lots of squawking going on as I attempt cbayer Feb 2013 #24

Squawking is caused by the instrument trying to jump registers TrogL Feb 2013 #30

Great advice. Can't thank you enough TrogL. cbayer Feb 2013 #31

So, it is here. cbayer Sep 2012 #8

All kidding aside BudHardener Jan 2013 #17

Thanks! cbayer Jan 2013 #18

Update - I am loving it. cbayer Nov 2012 #9

cool, now you will basically kydo Dec 2012 #10

I didn't know that the fingering was the same, but that is great news~ cbayer Dec 2012 #11

the wooden ones sound so nice kydo Dec 2012 #12

embouchure TrogL Feb 2013 #33

Oboe is not the same fingering TrogL Feb 2013 #22

cool popcorn83 Jan 2013 #13

Trade it for a flute BudHardener Jan 2013 #14

No, thanks. I am loving the clarinet. cbayer Jan 2013 #15

Oboe??Bassoon?? BudHardener Jan 2013 #16

An ill wind that nobody blows good TrogL Feb 2013 #19

It's a lot harder than I thought, but I'm getting there. cbayer Feb 2013 #20

I used to teach band. TrogL Feb 2013 #21

Even though my instrument is basically a "toy" (student grade), it came with the two screw ligature. cbayer Feb 2013 #25

I actually like it to be even with the top TrogL Feb 2013 #32

Here's an excellent picture of what everything's supposed to look like TrogL Feb 2013 #34

This is great and holding the instrument lower made a HUGE difference during cbayer Feb 2013 #35

Suggestion for inspiration klook Feb 2013 #26

I heard the interview and was indeed inspired. cbayer Feb 2013 #28

Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes of your time. ret5hd Feb 2013 #27

Lol. I think it took me about an hour to put the darn thing together the first time. cbayer Feb 2013 #29

Congrats. It certainly shouldn't bother any of your... Bonhomme Richard Mar 2013 #36

Fortunately, I live in relative isolation most of the time and no one can here me. cbayer Mar 2013 #38

Not yet this season. It's going to be tough.... Bonhomme Richard Mar 2013 #39