Hello everyone

I’ve been lurking for a month or so and reading through lots of interesting threads so I thought I’d introduce myself as you seem so friendly.

I’ve just finished university and will be working in south London from August.

I’ve decided that as I’m moving to a new city, new job, new life etc it’s time to finally get round to having music lessons and learn properly. I can read music but the rest of it is a bit of a mystery as I mostly play/sing pieces I’ve already heard.

Now I have a dilemma: what instrument?

I’ve ruled out the piano although I do so enjoy playing my keyboard. I won’t have room for a digital let alone an acoustic for the first couple of years at least. Piano lessons will have to wait (but they will be taken). In the meantime, I’m not sure whether to go for the singing (people say nice things about my voice) or take up the clarinet again as I did show some aptitude for it during the brief period in primary school when I was allocated an instrument.

The only foreseeable problem is that my job will involve some evening and weekend work and these will not have any regularity though hopefully I will get my rota 4 months at a time. Would this rule out having lessons as teachers will want a regular weekly/fortnightly slot?

I’d appreciate any advice on how to make my choise and any general encouragement on offer. I feel quite nervous about phoning anyone to make enquiries.

littlepepper

I guess the only possible answer is: play the instrument you love the sound of, and which you'll have the chance to play with others!

I would think that any teacher would be happy to meet you for an initial consultation/talk about the instrument, so that you can get an idea of what's involved before committing yourself. Or look in Floodlight (London adult education prospectus) and find a class where you can both learn, and meet others. If you already sing, then why not join a choir?

One consideration, if you're living in London, is where and when you'll have time to practice. Anything too loud might be a problem ...

If you have a keyboard why not go for that (gives you the advantage of headphone practice!)

nick

Well, in South London you'll have your pick of adult music classes to attend at City Lit, Morley and Goldsmiths. (Have I left anywhere out?) Without consulting all their on-line info, I'm sure you'll find voice, keyboard, piano, string and some wind instrument classes at all of them from absolute beginner level to more advanced. They might be a good place to start because

a) you'll meet lots of like minded people which should help your social life no end, (important when coming to the Metropolis!), and

b} You'll hear lots of instrument classes underway, and will probably find yourself attracted to the sound of one over another.

c) If you sign up to one instrument class and find you don't like it there's no need to search for an excuse to leave a teacher after having set everything up. You just leave and/or switch course. Nor is anyone going to snarl at you if you can't make the odd evening.

Enjoy London. The music scene is fab. August sees lots of free lunchtime concerts too !

Iona

You should play the instrument that you like the most!

With the piano - you can't really play with others unless you're having group lessons. There are singing and clarinet classes in London where you get the chance to make music with others. If you have the time and money - why not learn more than one instrument?

If you're having private lessons, let your teacher know about your work schedule, I'm sure you'll find a teacher who can be flexible. Lessons in London are expensive, it's around £25 to £30 for one hour. I had violin lessons every 2 weeks but I now I've cut back to once a month cos I can't afford it. My teacher has been great about it.

As nickjones8 mentioned, practice might be a problem in London unless your neighbours are nice. I have to use a violin mute to practice in the evening so that I don't disturb my neighbours. I hardly do any practice during the week cos I'm too tired from work.

Good luck and have fun!

Welcome aboard, littlepepper


I say clarinet, but then I am biased! More seriously, go for the instrument you prefer, but ask what floats your musical boat. If you're into Baroque music in a big way, clarinet probably isn't the instrument for you; similarly, I'm not certain bassoon would be the one if you want to play jazz (but apologies to any jazz bassoonists out there).


That will depend on the teacher, and the way in which they run their teaching practice. You may find that if you commit to a slot, you will still have to pay even if you have to work that day; another teacher may not charge or may be able to reschedule providing you give enough notice.


Go for it! Making the initial phone call is by far the hardest part - all of the adult learners round here (me included) and all of my own adult pupils can testify to that. Once you've had your first lesson you'll wonder what took you so long

Thank you for all your quick replies and for so much information. I didn't realise that such a wealth of musical opportunities were awaiting me.

I think I'd prefer individual lessons as I do best when I can go at my own pace.

I'm leaning towards the clarinet as I do love the sound and enjoy all sorts of music, though I haven't listened to much jazz yet. Also I think lessons would be less nerve racking than having to sing.

I also seem to recall that you can play it quite quietly and therefore I could probably practice in the early evening without driving my neighbours crazy, especially if they have the TV on. Is this correct?

littlepepper

I'd also say learn what you like; otherwise you won't be too keen on practising

Btw, some digital pianos do not take up much space at all (and you can practice in silent at any time you like...) I live in a tiny flat myself and have a Roland DP; it's only about a foot in depth and can also double up as a desk as it has a completely flat lid (see here Roland DP). I think Casio Privia are quite small too.

Also I'm sure you can find teachers who can accommodate your work schedule; just discuss with them upfront. I work long hours and sometimes weekends, and my piano teacher is very understanding. My slot seems to be roughly Saturday afternoons every fortnight, but in reality we simply fix a time for the next lesson at the end of the each lesson (although once agreed, I'm not allowed to cancel unless emergency/ill) and sometimes I end up having lessons on weekdays or every 3-4 weeks depending on my schedule. My harp teacher, on the other hand, prefers regular slots, but she (very kindly) offers to teach me in the morning so I have lessons every Fridays before I go to work.

Good luck!

I started piano lessons in December, having lurked about in the forums for quite some time! I started a thread about how nervous I was about approaching a teacher, and received a lot of encouragement from other forum members - in particular Katyjay - for which I have been very grateful.

It took a lot of time for me to pluck up the courage to approach a teacher, only to find she had no free slots. I also tried to email a couple of teachers, but received no reply. In the end I approached someone who had played the piano at a friend's birthday party and found that she had a free place. I was very nervous when I had my first lesson, and was shaking like a leaf!

Since then I've never looked back - I've gained in confidence, and will be taking my Grade 4 a week on Friday. (I took Grade 3 when I was a teenager) So, my message is, just go for it! You may feel nervous at first, but it will soon wear off.

By the way, clarinets are quite quiet, my son plays one, and I will sometimes let him play it after 9pm, but never his saxophone

Welcome to the forum from another South London based clarinettist, clarinet teacher and general all round clarinet obsessed person!

I don't think you'll have too many problems practice wise - but yes, don't practice too late at night...

Would definitely recommend having lessons - that way you'll get yourself a good technique, and you won't get yourself into bad habits.

I wish you all the best!



I shouldn't worry unduly about that.

I would echo Panthera. I started learning the piano again on a Yamaha stage piano with a fold up stand. I could easily fit the whole thing under my bed when I needed more space. And the advantage of being able to practice with headphones makes it a great choice. I felt very self conscious when I was first learning.



I have lessons every few weeks at different times and days. I always have the next few booked and this works very well for me. My teacher is happy to re-arrange and doesn't charge if reasonable notice is given. It may take a little longer to find such a teacher but I'm sure there are some out there. You may find one near your work and be able to fit it in over lunchtime.

Thank you again for all your encouraging replies, especially about finding a teacher who can accommodate shift work. I will start looking for one as soon as I move to London at the end of July.

If they fit under the bed I think I may get myself a stage piano for Christmas or my birthday next year depending on how much a good one costs - I don't know much about them but I know I don't need lots of different voices or beats. I expect there are several useful posts on this forum to look through.

I tried out a clarinet in a music shop (one that I knew I need never go back to again ) and managed to get a nice sound of it without any embarrassing squeaks so I have decided to order a Hanson.

I'm very excited at the thought of starting learning music properly and have bought a theory book to read!

I will keep you up to date with my progress .

Ordered a Hanson...good for you, you will be the envy of the clarinets I know that one or two here play Hansons and love them...

Good luck with the move to London, its a wonderful city with much to offer and playing music is a good way to meet new people... you will have a wonderful time...

Practice at sensible hours, London is a noisy city so it has to be live and let live within reason...I know I lived there for 30 years...also once you get settled have a chat with the local church they may well let you pratice there or in one of the rooms off the church itself...you'll make it work I feel sure...

Hope you dont have to wait too long before your new Clarinet turns up...

regards

Andrew

Yay, a budding theory enthusiast! Look forward to seeing you on the theory forum some time!

And hope you enjoy learning the clarinet - I started learning the clarinet from scratch just over 3 years ago and I've never looked back. And it's got me into jazz as well and led to all sorts of exciting things! Look forward to hearing how you get on

Andrew's given you a lot of sound advice - particularly about where/when to practice.

Hanson make lovely clarinets - one of my pupils and at least two forumites have them, and all three people think they're great!

All the best for the future - there's plenty to do here in the London area, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

hey! sax doesn't have to be noisy.... not that i am biased

And clarinets can make themselves heard too!

Hansons are lovely , yes I'm biased, I own one myself! Great choice though

My Hanson has arrived and I am very pleased with it indeed. I also like the thought of supporting a small British business. It comes in such a dinky little case - I seem to remember my school clarinet had a big bulky case that was very heavy. Of course I was probably a foot shorter then.

Having tried it out, it has a very nice sound despite my efforts.

I bought the New Tune a Day book with cd so I can start to learn the fingering for the notes. I don't intend to do too much before I have a teacher as I don't want to get into any bad habits.

I have noticed that I automatically used the double lip embouchure. I tried to use the single lip but it feels horrible. I have never liked biting into apples as the sensation freaks me out and single lip embouchure (not that I'm biting the clarinet) has the same effect . If this would cause problems perhaps I should not play it all until I have a teacher?

If you choose to play with a double embouchure littlepepper, I don't personally see that it'd cause you a problem. I have taught a couple of people who preferred to use a double embouchure before, and it suited them just fine.

When you get lessons, a good teacher will check all the bits 'n' pieces about embouchure out for you, so don't worry.

You might find it interesting to read the following article on the double-lip technique. I can't comment on it myself as I've never used it and I'm a not-very-advanced student but I found it interesting to read.

http://www.theclarinet.co.uk/articles/doublelip.shtml

Glad you like your Hanson and have fun!

[quote name='littlepepper' date='Jul 2 2008, 10:18 AM' post='716387']
My Hanson has arrived and I am very pleased with it indeed. I also like the thought of supporting a small British business. It comes in such a dinky little case - I seem to remember my school clarinet had a big bulky case that was very heavy. Of course I was probably a foot shorter then.

Well done, I am pleased that your Hanson arrived so quickly, thats wonderful news...I too like to support small businesses rather than some huge corporation..

Happy playing,

Andrew

Thanks for the advice everyone and for the link Skylark.

I have been practicing a little to help strengthen my face muscles and am progressing with note knowledge. Even doing that is such fun.

I do have a question about the long tones mentioned in the book. How long is long enough? I can do 25-30 seconds but I'm concerned that if I do that frequently I'll get dizzy. I don't fancy incorporating breathing into a paper bag into my practice routine.

littlepepper

I wouldn't think of long tones as being 'how long can I hold a note for'. Go for quality of tone rather than excessive length of note.

If you are producing high quality notes that last about 10-12 seconds at the moment, you're doing just fine. Don't time them to the nth second though, quality of sound is what should be at the front of your mind.

Thank you barry-clari. I shall gladly cut down the time.

littlepepper

No problem. As you progress, the length of time you can hold onto notes will naturally increase. Pushing it time wise won't do you any good.

Congratulations on making a choice. The clarinet is a lovely instrument but if it is possible to play it quietly I never found out how during my brief flirtation with it. It has a very penetrating tone. I was banished to the garden shed for practice.

<-- no piano today

It's overwhelmingly to do with the breathing technique, playing quietly, Mad Tom. I think you ought to resurrect your clarinet playing!

Which reminds me, littlepepper, doing long tones at different dynamics is a good thing to try.