To mark a new year and my 200th blog post, I've finally done something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a long time and started to learn to play the clarinet! Grandson#2 has kindly lent me his spare clarinet to be going on with and he and DD patiently demonstrated the basics to get me going until I’m mobile again and can find myself a teacher locally.
So far I’ve mastered the first five notes of the scale and can fairly reliably get a proper note rather than a squeak or, even worse, silence, and have even managed to play a couple of very simple tunes. At the age of 67 I've reminded myself what it feels like to be a complete beginner at something and I’m enjoying myself enormously.
DH is still rolling his eyes a little at the prospect of my practising all over the house, but is, I think, starting to realise that I do mean to continue as far as I can go, though I will never reach anywhere near the artistry in this slow movement from Mozart’s clarinet concerto. This is one of my very favourite pieces of music, which many years ago sowed the seed of my love of the clarinet’s versatility and wonderfully mellow sound.
I wish you all a very happy New Year. In return, please wish me luck….
Image via Google
What a super way to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on achieving an aim...and look at the progress you have made already!
Happy New Year to you and your family and if your husbands kicks up knit him some earmuffs.
It's been a long time coming to fruition, Helen, but I finally realised that at my age I need to do things now. :-) DD is kind enough to say that I've done OK since I first picked up the instrument on the day before Christmas Eve. I told DH of your earmuff suggestion and he chortled.
DeleteAll the very best to you and Leo for 2014.
That piece of music was just exquisite. Perpetua, I wish you all the best of everything with your clarinet lessons ( looking forward to your next video of you playing, no seriously) Happy 2014 to you and your family
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful, isn't it, Molly and I'm pleased to have introduced you to it. The lessons have yet to be arranged and will be intermittent in any case, but I will persevere. As for the video, you may have to wait some time, unless you want one classified under comedy. :-)
DeleteWishing you and yours a very happy New Year.
Dear Perpetua - what a commendable challenge - I am full of admiration for you.
ReplyDeleteWhen my eldest and youngest son learnt to play the piano I began lessons with them. It was something I regretted never doing when I was young. I thought it would be good if I could help them, and they in turn could help me.
I no longer have the piano, I gave it to one of my granddaughters - she is much better than me. However, I am glad that I can now play simple pieces for my own pleasure.
Every good wish to you and DH in 2014.
Thanks, Rosemary. My mother did exactly the same as you when my next younger sister started lessons,. She'd always wanted to learn, but only managed to do so when she was nearly 40 and I have many happy memories of listening to her practising and playing. I'm glad you can play music for your own pleasure and hope one day my playing may even manage to give others pleasure too. :-)
DeleteHow wonderful that you want to learn to play the clarinet. My daughter played one in high school, and I have it now. I have taken it out a few times in the last few years, but a long time ago I played with two of my friends and had a great time. One friend played the tuba, the other the accordion. What fun. Good luck and all the best in 2014.
ReplyDeleteDS started to learn the clarinet at high school like your daughter, Bonnie, but gave it up after a couple of years, being more interested in computers. :-) However he always played an instrument loaned to him by the school, which is why I've had to borrow mine from my grandson. I'm so glad you have one at home and hope you'll go on taking it out and enjoy playing it. Wishing you a very happy 2014.
DeleteGood luck, I hope you make lovely music and most of all enjoy yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. The enjoyment is already there, though the lovely music may have to wait a good while longer. :-)
DeleteOh this is wonderful Perpetua and I wish all the very best of luck with your challenge / dream. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Thanks, Patricia. I've decided that one is never too old to learn something new and the clarinet is such a lovely instrument - when played by someone who knows how. :-)
DeleteWell done you - I look forward to hearing you before long! My no.1 husband plays the alto sax (still, despite suffering from Parkinson's disease and Atrial Fibrillation!), which has a lot of similarities with the clarinet. BH's younger daughter also played, although her asthma now precludes it, It is a gorgeous instrument. If you want an accompanist, I'm OK for the easy stuff, so come over any time. By the way, I think Roy Upton-Holder from the Welshpool area teaches clarinet - I'm not quite sure, but I can find out for you if you would like (I have a lot of musical contacts in W'pool and around!!)
ReplyDeleteDD's house is full of people playing wind, brass and keyboard instruments, so I've decided to join them. :-) She plays alto and tenor sax, as well as piano, and has just started to learn the flute. She reckons playing will help my breathing and so far, so good. I think it will be quite some time before I merit an accompanist, but many thanks for the offer. DD has given me a list of local teachers, including Roy, but I need to be driving again and that has to wait for the new specs. :-)
DeleteGood for you! I love the thought of a good New Year's challenge. This is a grand way to keep the fingers, the mind and the spirit flexible! Happy New Year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pondside, and the same to you. I think taking up something is much more fun than giving something up and I reckon the concentration needed to get everything to co-ordinate should ward off dementia very well. :-)
DeleteOh good for you! Enjoy the challenge :-)
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your DH all good things for 2014
Thanks, and the same to you both. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself and am surprising myself by my determination to practise, though I'm not sure DH is so enamoured as yet. :-)
DeleteWow, madame I doff my metaphorical hat to you. What a new year's resolution/ambition this is.
ReplyDeleteI started trying to learn Dutch at about the age you are now, but never really worked hard enough at it and gave up altogether when John became ill.
It is so good for us to push ourselves a little as we age, and the clarinet is such a lovely instrument.
Next to the human voice it is my favourite instrument, closely followed by the cello. All of which are near to the tone quality of the voice. Something about the roundedness and mellowness of the sound I think.
Best of luck.
A very happy and healthy new year to you and yours.
Thanks, Ray, and the same to you. I started to plan this with DD a little while ago, but had to wait until our Christmas visit to begin to put it into practice. I first attempted to get a note the day before Christmas Eve and have managed to practise at least a little almost every day since.then. DD encouraged me by telling me of someone who started to learn the flute at my age and now in her mid 70s is about to take Grade 7! My ambitions aren't anywhere near as lofty, but it is good to be learning something new.
DeleteI love the clarinet for the same reasons as you - such a warm, round, rich sound when played well. I really enjoy listening to Grandson#2 as he's making great progress. As for languages, I've acquired a smattering of Italian and Portuguese in recent years, but have never tried Dutch. Hmmm....
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteOh Perpetua... congrats!!! I can feel the adventure. Would you believe it, we are sitting at my sister's place watching QUARTET as I type and there is a clarinet playing just as I read your blog!! It's a delightful movie to be watching on Hogmanay. May your new skill flourish fully in the new year. Slainte! YAM xx
Thanks, Yam. It's certainly proving to be an enjoyable, if frustrating activity, as I struggle to co-ordinate mouth and fingers as well as refreshing my musical knowledge. It's a very, very long time since my 11year-old self started to learn the violin. :-) Enjoy your Hogmanay with your family.
DeleteWonderful news Perpetua, and a great way to celebrate 200 blog post - congratulations on both achievement. Only one week, and already you are playing little tunes - you will go far, and quickly, with the clarinet I'm sure. I suspected you already read music and possibly play piano; am I correct? My sister began violin in her mid-50s and loves it, now plays with a small orchestra and has played in the pit for some amateur stage productions. My piano playing has lapsed, but I can play for the grandchildren these days. This year I plan to take up painting again, something I abandoned 30 years ago. Never too old... Do let us know how the music lessons go :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. It's taken me almost 3 years to reach the 200 post mark, so I hope my progress on the clarinet will be a little faster. :-) You're quite right - I do read music, or at least the treble clef. I learned the violin at high school and also sang in choirs for some years, but never learned the piano. My musical knowledge is a bit rusty, but is already coming back to me. My inspiration is DD who took up the saxophone 3 or 4 years ago and is now learning the flute too, as well as taking up her piano playing again. I doubt i will make as rapid progress as she has, but watch this space... :-)
DeleteI absolutely love the fact you are learning to play the clarinet at age 67! It fits perfectly with the C.S. Lewis quote I put on my blog post today about never being too old to set another goal or dream another dream. Happy New Year to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristie. I must nip across and look at that quote, which seems so appropriate. I'm lucky that I've been lent an instrument and shown the basics over Christmas and already the practice is becoming part of my day. Little and often is probably going to be the best way for me....
DeleteHow wonderful that you are taking on this challenge. Earlier on my blog you mentioned Sudoku - I do that as well but mainly code cracker these days although my step-daughter gave me a sudoku book for Christmas so will get back to it. I do enjoy the daily challenge of the Lumosity .
ReplyDeleteI'm having such fun with it, Susan, though some of the sounds I'm producing are a bit peculiar as yet. :-) I love sudoku and have bouts of doing it a lot, though it does eat into my reading-in-bed time. I've never even heard of code-cracker, so must investigate.
Deletecode cracker is like a crossword but you only get one or two letters to start you off and no clues.
DeleteHappy New Year to you Perpetua, and your DH, and family from one who is musically challenged, but who enjoys listening. Thankfully my children inherited a musical gene from their Dad and not only enjoy listening but singing and playing the guitar.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shirley and the same to you. I'm lucky in that both my parents were musical, though only my mother played an instrument, so my sisters and I were encouraged to learn at school. At one point we played violin, viola, cello and piano between us, though sadly most of us lapsed.in adulthood. I once tried the guitar, but it wasn't for me. :-)
DeleteFirstly Perpetua, thank you for the video. I already knew the piece but this a wonderful rendition. Do you know who the soloist is & where it was recorded? The concert hall looks very Central European, possibly Vienna.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking up this new challenge. I do think that the older we are, the harder it is to learn a new skill. That's my excuse for struggling with Czech :-) But it is possible & I wish you well in your pursuit. I chuckled at the earlier suggestion of knitting DH some ear muffs for your practice sessions.
Regarding blog posts, you will soon be catching me up. I'm currently at 254, but the blog will be five years old in one month's time.
Wishing you & DH a very Happy New Year - Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Šťastný Nový Rok.
Thanks, Ricky and ein gutes Neues Jahr to you and Sybille. I too think the performance is superb. there was no information given by the person who posted the video, but in the comments someone said that the soloist was Sharon Kam, accompanied by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, though I don't know where it was recorded..So your instincts were correct :-)
DeleteI very much hope learning the clarinet will prove to be easier than learning Czech at which I failed miserably. Luckily it's at least as much about making some movements automatic as it is about conscious memory, so i have my fingers crossed.
Must dash now as we're about to set off for Oxford in pouring rain - again!
Danke schön Perpetua! A little bit of googling would confirm that the soloist is Sharon Kam & the orchestra almost certainly is the Czech Philharmonic as I'm fairly sure that the conductor is Jiří Bělohlávek. When I watched & listened to the video the first time, I thought the orchestra might be Czech as a couple of male members had pony tails - a very Czech male look :-)
DeleteSorry about the rain. It's dry but cold here in Prague but no sign of serious snow yet.
What a great goal you've set yourself. Good luck, I'm sure you will be serenading us this time next year.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's certainly something to aim for, BtoB, but I'm still at the rank beginner stage. Thankfully, except for the odd squeak, a beginner on the clarinet makes a much nicer noise than a beginner on the violin. :-)
DeleteGood luck Perpetua, I am sure you will succeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, CC. I'm certainly trying hard and seeing some progress, which feels good.
DeleteGood for you! I wish you many hours of happy music making in 2014, and for many more years to come.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catriona. I'm not getting much practice done while staying with DS' and family, but just wait until we get home next week. There'll be no holding me....
DeleteI think this is just wonderful, Perpetua. It sounds like a soul nourishing endeavor! I was listening to a favorite radio commentator just yesterday talking to people calling in about what they hoped to "tackle" in the new year. A number among them were taking up new instruments, which then encouraged a lively conversation about the mental health/cognitive benefits supported with learning a new instrument. So it would seem to me you're on a wonderful new adventure to boost overall well-being. I hope you'll share how you continue to enjoy the clarinet! A very healthy and prosperous new year, dear Perpetua an DH! ox
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra, that's very encouraging to hear. I know that learning a new language is good for cognitive health, so it's good to know that learning a new instrument can bring similar benefits. I didn't plan this as a New Year resolution - it just happened that way - but I'm already very glad I decided to start. I'm getting lots of encouragement and useful advice from DD, who's really pleased about my decision and even DH is becoming resigned to the innovation. :-)
DeleteHappy New Year Perpetua. Enjoy the clarinet :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy, and good to hear from you. I'm really enjoying the challenge.
DeleteWhat a great new project! I picked up handbells last year at our winter home after 30 years away. I was relieved I still knew how to read music and to ring a bell.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I remember you posting about trying handbell ringing again after a long break and how much you enjoyed it. It's good to know I can still read music too and am now making use of that knowledge again after so long.
DeleteThis is wonderful, Perpetua! I played the clarinet for one year when I was a child and wasn't good at all, but I liked it. I'm really happy for you, enjoy yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer. DS learned for a couple of years at high school, but didn't continue.I loved the sound of the clarinet when he was practising at home, though it's taken me 30 years to follow up that liking. :-)
DeleteI'm most impressed, Perpetua and indeed, may well be inspired to pick up my own clarinet and start practising again. I played a lot until I was heavily pregnant with Mateo and then found I didn't have the 'lung space' to play at the level I was used to...and more or less stopped from then on. But I should start again. I wouldn't rule Mozart out either - he knew how to write for the instrument and the slow movement of both the Concerto and the Quintet fall beautifully under the fingers and in the richest register of the instrument....you may get there one day! And in a few months, we could play virtual duets!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAxxx
Oh gosh, Annie, I didn't realise I had an experienced clarinet player among my blogging friends. :-) I can well imagine late-stage pregnancy would make clarinet platying very difficult. I can already feel how even these early practice sessions are making me breathe differently and use my diaphragm. I will certainly aim to play some Mozart one day, though never like the artist in the video. Still, if someone DD knows of started to learn the flute at my age and is now studying for Grade 7 in her mid-70s, who knows what I might achieve with hard work? the thought of virtual duets will inspire me. :-)
DeleteA new year, a 200th post, and a new challenge. What an inspiration you are, Perpetua, and, of course, I wish you all the luck and all the pleasure you can glean out of this. I'm sure it is exciting for your grandson to share with you by showing you the ropes and lending you the clarinet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the New Year's gift of this clarinet concerto. A most lovely way to end my day.
Thanks, Penny, I'm glad you enjoyed the concerto so much. It 's so beautiful.
DeleteGrandson#2 did indeed enjoy being able to teach his grandmother, if not to suck eggs, then to get a note out a clarinet and also to assemble and clean it. :-) He's a talented young player himself and his mother is being very generous with advice and encouragement too. I hope to be good enough to play with them and Grandson#1 one day.
Happy New Year to you, Perpetua, and good luck with the clarinet. :)
ReplyDeleteBonne Annee to you to, Sarah, and thanks for the good luck wishes. I need them. :-)
DeleteYay! Good on you, Miss P! If you've already got a good sound out of it then you're on for a winner. I wish you laughter, happiness, good health, friendship and peace for 2014 xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, MM and wishing the same to you.and yours. DD also took the achievement of a proper sound as a good sign, which I found most encouraging. :-) Not easy to practise while staying with DS, but when I get home I will persevere....
DeleteWhat a brilliant thing to do. I wish you lots of luck and serious congratulations for taking it on. I took on the piano when I was 50......and have not progressed very far in the last 8 years. The first 2 were good...but I sort of stuck where I was. Now the piano is in France, so I only get to practice when we are there. I did, however, retake up the flute which I started to self teach many years ago...more progress there.....so it is possible !
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful, and musical 2014. Jx
Thanks, Janice. Gosh, you put me to shame - TWO new instruments undertaken in adulthood! I love the piano as an instrument, but could never learn it as I find it hard enough with one clef and line of music to follow. The sight of piano chords on the page makes me turn pale. :-) DD has just started to learn the flute in her 40s and says it's harder than the clarinet or saxophone for the beginner, so well done on that too. What with Annie and her clarinet too, we will definitely have to have that bloggers meet-up - with musical accompaniment. :-) I shall enjoy the thought of you practising the piano in rainy intervals at your French house.../
DeleteWell Done, Perpetua! you will get such enjoyment and satisfaction from your new challenge. I had always assumed that a blown instrument was beyond me, having missed out on the recorder at school. My DH gave me an alto recorder as a retirement present, and I have had great fun getting to grips with it. And yes, I love the Mozart too and play the first part of that movement, although it does not sound quite so rich as on the clarinet! I look forward to attending your recitals later in the year!
ReplyDeleteSpindrift51
Thanks, Spindrift. It was obvious when you spoke of learning to play your recorder how much pleasure it was giving you. I'm right at the beginning with the clarinet, but already I'm deriving a great deal of satisfaction from each small sign of progress. Once our Christmas travelling is over, I'll be able to get down to some regular and consistent practice which will help. However I think the Mozart is off in the far distance as yet. :-)
DeleteOf course, I wish you luck.
ReplyDeleteThe concerto is one of my very favourites.
When can I expect you to perform it?
Thanks, Friko, I need it. :-) As for the concerto, that's what I'm aiming for but I wouldn't hold your breath if i were you. It may take me some time to get there.....
DeleteHello Perpetua
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post!
With your positive attitude anything is attainable - and your #2 grandson believes in you!
The clarinet is a beautiful instrument and Mozart's Concerto is a favourite of mine.
My piano is waiting here for my granddaughters if they ever move here from France - music is such an important part of life - it nourishes the soul.
I found you via Patricia of Red Cardinal and I'm your newest follower.
Hello, Roses, and welcome to my blog. 'So far so good' is my motto as I struggle to co-ordinate my eyes and fingers, but I'm really enjoying myself. DD and Grandson#2 have been very helpful and encouraging, but I need to find a teacher locally before long, or I'll pick up bad habits.
DeleteIt must be hard to have your granddaughters living so far away, I do hope that one day they can make use of your piano. Now to explore your blog.....
Dear Perpetua, thank you for that glorious rendition of Mozart's clarinet concerto. I don't think I've ever heard it before because I'm so musical illiterate with regard to classical music and also contemporary music by all the various groups that appear regularly on "Saturday Night Live" and other television shows. I used to go to hear chamber music in St. Paul with an older friend, but when she died back in 1996 that ended.
ReplyDeleteI applaud your decision to learn to play the clarinet and your acting on that decision. I hope one day you will post a video in which we can hear you play. Peace.
Dee, the Mozart clarinet concerto is the most wonderful piece of music and it's worth searching for the whole thing and not just the slow movement I linked to. YouTube is the place to go if you want to widen your music knowledge without spending a fortune.
DeleteI do hope I'll one day reach a standard which i'd be happy for my friends to hear, but it's going to take quite some time, I think. :-)