I am a clarinetist. Well, I play clarinet. It sounds like more than it is when I say "I'm a clarinetist". I started playing when I was 10 years old. I didn't have any special feelings towards the clarinet except that my older sister played clarinet and everything she did, I wanted to do (that's how little sisters are when they are five years younger). When I was 9, I could have started on the violin or cello but I held out because I already knew I would play clarinet.
By the time I turned 10 and was offered at school the opportunity to play, my older sister hated the clarinet. She said she couldn't get it to stop squeaking and it gave her a headache to blow into it. She hated the sound, hated carrying the case and had no affinity to learn. But I had been looking forward to it for so long that I would not be dissuaded.
I received my instrument the day before I was to meet my clarinet teacher. I still remember seeing that charcoal grey case that had a sticker on it with my name. It looked important and I immediately felt protective. I took the case to a private corner in the cafeteria, carefully opened the spring clips and lifted the lid and saw what was obviously the most beautiful and precious thing I had ever been allowed to touch, let alone own.
It was love at first sight. I smelled the cork, slightly woody, and stared at how every silver key gleamed and sparkled. When I met my teacher, a slim, gentle, bearded man who spoke very softly and reminded me of David Banner from The Hulk TV show from the 70's. He taught me how to put it together and start my first notes.
The sound was like a human voice to my ears and I played up and down the scales, I could hear the combinations that would allow me to sound out my favorite tunes. As I learned the music notation, I was able to write down the notes of songs I knew; I didn't know this was called arrangements. I slept with my clarinet and carried it back and forth to school for the next four years.
And then there was a boy who pulled my attention away. Suddenly, I didn't feel so cool carrying my clarinet and I allowed the cares of teenage youth take away my interest. I didn't join the band when I was 14 and without having a regular venue to play, I slowly stopped and forgot.
Thankfully, my same clarinet followed me all the places that I went, often sitting for years on end in closets and on shelves. Moths attacked it, repairs were needed. I took care of it but I didn't really begin to play again until I was 47 years. I was so rusty and had forgotten so much. I started in church and a younger girl helped me to get going again.
I have been playing at church 2-3 times per week for the past 5 years. I have greatly improved and am loving playing again. Four months ago, I purchased a new upgraded clarinet and I can feel the difference. I want to get better but I am sort of at a plateau. I found a website called 'Take Lessons .com where I signed up to take online lessons from a man named Thomas. My first lesson is next Thursday.
Thomas has asked me to prepare my best piece so that he can assess my playing ability. I'm already panicking! I can't play when people are looking at me and I don't feel like I play anything well. So this weekend, I'll get something prepared. I'm thinking maybe something from Phantom of the Opera but I'm not sure. I'm so excited to begin but nervous too. I'll post a video of my audition song!
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