16 June 2011

Learning to Play

This is my new acquisition, a 25 year old clarinet as described on a popular auction site as "This clarinet belonged to my sister, she had it about 25 years ago and it was second hand then. All I can tell you about it was that it sounded lovely.

There is no brand that I can see and the condition is fair, just needs some TLC.  Also it has no hardcase, but just a padded case, made by my mum!

All parts seem to be working, but as I can't play the clarinet and I do struggle to get a sound out of it, you may find a fault that I don't."
 
It arrived about 10 days ago, and no I have never played the clarinet before, but before I got my motorbike licence I had never ridden one before and I didn't let that stop me from getting my A rated licence on a big bike.

I paid £25 incl P&P and a further £11 for a case for it. It hasn't been used in a long while and after a nice session cleaning it and putting a new reed in place as well as rethreading the sections I have managed to get a nice tone out of it. Now the hard work begins! Lessons cost about £25 an hour, but luckily I know someone who plays and I might get some starter lessons free (or at least cheap). I have also picked up a book on the clarinet, providing guidance on maintaining it and a fingering chart as well as scales so the start is the very beginning.

3 comments:

Bernard said...

Fantastic! And a bargain by the look of it. You will have to check all the seals over the holes and also the small return springs. I don't own a clarinet but I assume the mechanisms are similar to other woodwind instruments. Great news.
Now, can you read music?
This can be a problem to some people, but at least you only have to read a single line of notes. (Unlike a piano or organ).
I reckon you could teach yourself.
I'm sure Acker Bilk did. :)

Kathy G said...

Wow! Good for you!

Alison said...

Fantastic bargain! I do play the Clarinet, so if you want to ask me anything, do :)