Hi everyone, after many years of wanting to, I've finally arranged my first Clarinet lesson as an adult, I think I might be approaching a mid-life crisis as I feel I want to pass my clarinet grades, hopefully to grade 8.
I did (and passed) my grade 5 theory after I left school in 1975, and I then did (and passed) my grade 4 Clarinet in 1994.
I bought the new grade 5 ABRSM examination pieces 2008-2013 recently, and I've quite surprised myself as I can muddle through most of the pieces.
I bought a new Clarinet about 3 years ago, a Yamaha YCL650, although I have had various Clarinets since I was about 13 years old, but I only ever had lessons at school, and as I am mostly self taught I would imagine my technique is really bad, although as stated earlier I did pass grade 4 some years ago.
I'm 50 yrs old next month and I am feeling nervous about what my new teacher will make of my Clarinet playing.
I've even got the old scales out, so hopefully I can impress my new teacher when we finally meet in two weeks time.
I have been playing in a very small group in our church over the years, but it is not regular and it is quite basic.
I’d be interested in any other senior type members and their experiences in taking grades after so many years away from any kind of exams, especially the time factor, I have no idea what is involved in the higher grades, it could take years and years.
Anyway, must dash, love the forum.
Regards, Peter.

Hi Peter and welcome.

Have you seen the adult learners' bit of the forum? You'll find quite a few like-minded adult students - even some who started playing or singing years after leaving school.

Look forward to hearing how your lessons go. Now you've taken the plunge and booked lessons, I bet it seems like a long wait for the first one !

Hi Peter,
Glad to see another clarinettist on the forums. I'm hoping you really enjoy your lesson and you enjoy getting back into clarinet playing. Do let us know how you get on!

Hi Peter,

Go for it, it's great fun learning an instrument again.

Before my recent efforts I had only had clarinet lessons at school (I got to grade 5 clarinet, couldn't go any further without the theory which I've just taken).

I've found it really different having private lessons, so much more time. Really good though.

I'm sure your teacher will be impressed by your playing. It must be nice for them sometimes to not have to start from scratch, I presume you've told them what level you are so they'll know what to expect.

Hope you enjoy it!

Hi, and welcome to the forums.

Check out the Viva Woodwind forum - there's an awful lot of clarinettists there at the moment. And, of course, Adult Learners.

Not to mention Forum Events - there's a single reed day coming up soon in Greenwich - Barry-Clari would, I'm sure, be glad to see you there (and so would I - I'm gatecrashing it with Mum's old Selmer, if I can get a sound out of it......)

Hi Peter

I started piano lessons in December, largely as a result of encouragement fom this forum, and am really enjoying them. I had a 30 year break from playing the piano, and was very worried about what my piano teacher would think of my playing. I was so nervous in my first lesson that my hands were shaking, but her only criticisms were about rhythm and timing.

I've just taken Grade 4, and nerves got the better of me, so I don't think I've done very well. However, I'm not going to let it put me off!

Join in with the forums events, they are great fun, and you meet lots of people. I played at an event in Leeds, and it was the first time I had ever played in front of an audience. It was nervewracking, but I felt I had achieved something.

Welcome from another clarinet player who played at school, forgot everything and went back to the beginning again at 50.

First of all, Thank you to everyone, you've all made me feel welcome and grateful there are other like me out there, and secondly, sbhoa, I'd like to hear how your experience went, what grade were you at school and what grade are you now and how long did it take for you to get fully back into it after so many years?

So many questions...so little time...



Thank you Katyjay, I've seen the single reed event on the 20th Sept. and the Clarinet Quartet on the 1st Nov. I am hoping to go to both events, the only trouble is I work shifts, earlies, middles, lates and even nights!! so I'm not sure of my shift pattern at this time....Hopefully it'll be okay.
Cheers.

Hi Peter,

Welcome to the forum! You'll find lots of encouraging people on here!

I'm just across the river from you in Kent. I'm an adult learner too (piano and singing).

All the best to you

Hello from another clarinet learner!

I started in Jan 05 from scratch as a semi-mature adult and I've just passed Grade 4. I also started learning theory from scratch and this year I got a distinction at Grade 5 and I'm now learning Grade 6. Along the way I've got involved in all sorts of other things, met loads of nice people (many of them off the forum), had some brilliant experiences and all in all, it's been a fantastic journey of discovery.

I understand the feeling of "so little time" but all the more reason to make the most of the time you've got! So seize every opportunity, take each step as it comes and see where it leads you - possibly to some unexpected places but that's part of the fun of it!
Hope your lesson goes well and look forward to hearing how you get on

welcome!

I've no idea what grade i was at school... we didn't know that grades existed but from what I think I remember I'd say maybe about grade 3.
I picked things up quite quickly I think....Did the forum grade 1 challenge 2 months after restarting.
I had the advantage of being a grade 8 pianist so reading the music wasn't a new or forgotten skill.
I joined a local all comers orchestra shortly before taking the grade 1 and i'm still with them now (2 and a bit years on). At first I wasn't too serious about the clarinet, it was fun to have an instrument to play in ensembles, and had a lesson maybe twice a year from another forum member who was good enough to teach me on that basis. I've recently started having regular lessons as I think I'd probably got about as good as I was going to without and I decided that now I have enough interest to put in the practice.

Yes, I would love to see you there Peter! Link to the application form is here.

to the forums!

Thanks again for the welcome, I have sent my application off this morning for single reed event on 20th Sept. even though I'm not 100% sure of my shift pattern, but I'll try and call in a few favours at work, and all being well, I'll see you there...

Fingers crossed I'll see you there!

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Enjoy!!!!!!!

Welcome! and hello

Hi everyone,

Just an update on my first lesson yesterday.

It was brilliant!!

I wish I'd taken the plunge years ago, and my new teacher gave me so much confidence, I'm very pleased with how it all went.


Regards, Peter.

Hope to be able to hear you at the September clari/sax day!

Thanks Barry,

I am so looking forward to meeting everyone.

Peter.

You're not senior at 50 for goodness sake! You don't realise how old half the people on this forum are!
(PM me for details )

Don't give away my secret Carol.....

Welcome to the Forums, Peter. I started playing cello at 61 and passed grade 4 with merit last March. You're definitely not old at 50!

I wouldn't dare - I don't believe that "Mostly Harmless" tag for one second