Kick Some Brass

June 7, 2021 3:10 PM

A friend recently retired. She played clarinet as a kid and is considering taking it up again. She's gotten as far as acquiring an instrument and not yet playing it. Her birthday approaches. What can I get her to encourage this path?
posted by falsedmitri to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

Maybe a gift certificate to your local music store (for reeds, or a new music stand, or something fun to play and break her back in, like a book of movie themes or whatever would float her boat) + research some info about your local community band (if one exists- lots of communities have one) and include that in your card. The most motivating thing for a amateur player is a reason to play (says the music teacher who never practices her main instrument since she doesn’t have a reason to play it!).
posted by charmedimsure at 3:20 PM on June 7, 2021 [4 favorites]

Yes, I love the g.c. idea. Also maybe see if there are zoom classes she could attend if that might make it easier.
posted by dawkins_7 at 3:59 PM on June 7, 2021

Recordings of fun clarinet music for inspiration? Benny Goodman!

May I also suggest as an alternate post title, “Learning How to Reed”
posted by the_blizz at 4:17 PM on June 7, 2021 [10 favorites]

Came to suggest recordings by Benjamin David Goodman, but the_blizz beat me to it.

Also, maybe schedule a small recital for her close friends say 10 months from now. It will give her incentive. Wine, women and song! Celebrate friend's retirement with a champagne reception after her first recital. Music starts at 7:00. Champagne and chocolate at 7:30. Schedule it on the 1 year anniversary of her retirement.
posted by AugustWest at 4:37 PM on June 7, 2021

A music stand.
posted by danceswithlight at 5:28 PM on June 7, 2021 [3 favorites]

Yes a reason to play is always good, but it can be hard to play with others in real life, especially in these times. Are they interested in improv/jam sessions?

I'm of the opinion there has never been a better time to jam online with friends and strangers.
Using Ninjam and public servers can be as simple as a laptop that has a built-in mic and a pair of headphones. Something to consider that may provide a lot of value. The basic license for Reaper costs$60.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:11 PM on June 7, 2021

A snazzy metronome.

For classical recordings: Mozart wrote a Clarinet Concerto and a Clarinet Quintet (with string quartet). Brahms wrote an extremely fine Clarinet Quintet and two Clarinet Sonatas.
posted by bertran at 6:33 PM on June 7, 2021 [3 favorites]

Look into the workshops with Music For People. They put the joy and wonder back into music. If you play an instrument also, that'd be a fun thing to do together.
posted by dum spiro spero at 8:09 PM on June 7, 2021

I have gifted many musicians a classic Manhasset music stand and they’ve always been a hit. Great resale, sturdy as hell, and way less annoying than a folding stand which usually just collapses under the weight of a regular music book.

(Also works great for holding cookbooks in a small kitchen!)
posted by Juniper Toast at 9:35 PM on June 7, 2021 [5 favorites]

Seconding the Manhasset, and noting that they come in a variety of powder-coated colors, much lovelier than black (which is great for orchestral settings but a bit dour for the home).
posted by mumkin at 10:14 PM on June 7, 2021

I started playing the flute again after a 40+ year layoff. I agree that a music stand is a great idea. One that looks good enough to be kept out is better than one that's totally utilitarian.

Metronomes and tuners are great, but there are phone apps pretty much as good.

There is music titled "I used to play the clarinet. " I have the flute version. It has scales and some advice as well as a smattering of pieces ranging from classical to pop.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:44 AM on June 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

A gift certificate for a few lessons with a local teacher would probably jumpstart her playing.
posted by music for skeletons at 7:53 AM on June 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

I second the community band idea, also look around to see if there is a fun marching band, such as the Seed & Feed Marching Abominables in Atlanta or the Lofty Pursuits Marching Band in Tallahassee. Many of these groups consist of people who were in marching band in high school or college, but now just want to play for fun . They're pretty forgiving about skill levels. In fact the Tallahassee band were at one time short on bass drummers, and invited me to drum with about 15 minutes of instruction (I just did what the other bass drummer did - as long as I could count to 4 I was good!) - I had never been in marching band at all!
posted by TimHare at 11:09 AM on June 8, 2021 [1 favorite]