Big news! My wonderfully talented daughter has decided to take up playing a musical instrument, and her choice is the clarinet! She's following in her proud daddy's footsteps. I played clarinet for many years, as well as alto saxophone, and enjoyed it a great deal. Now my daughter, who has already shown some musical ability by trying her hand at learning to play piano with her grandmother, will try her hand at another instrument.
We had a very nice experience getting her instrument of choice at the Maryland Music Academy (http://marylandmusic.com/) in Columbia, MD. Our friend's mother owns and operates the Academy and devoted a lengthy amount of time with my girl while getting all of her supplies. Her attention made my daughter feel special and she was excited as we left the store with her rented clarinet, music book, music stand, folder, and Van Doren reeds. She took a picture of her clarinet and sent it to her grandparents, she was so proud.
The other day, I dug my own clarinet out of the closet to show my daughter. I actually was able to get some pleasant sounds out of it. It was the first time I've played it in over ten years. My clarinet is in pretty bad shape. Two years of marching with the Mighty Sound of Maryland in all kinds of weather took its toll on the instrument, and it really needs a complete overhaul. I started playing in the sixth grade. My grandfather, who was a professional trumpet player, took great pleasure in developing my interest in music, and determined that the reed instruments would be better suited for me than brass. I played in the beginning band that year, and I remember my first concert. I threw up back stage just before we went on.
I played in the concert and symphonic bands in Junior High, and the symphonic band (as one of four freshmen) when I started High school. I also played in the marching band for the first time. I began to really take my music seriously. Later, I joined the jazz band and took up the sax. I don't know if my daughter will take her musicianship as seriously, but she really enjoys singing, playing the piano, and listening to music of all kinds. If she enjoys playing the clarinet, she may become the next Woody Herman. Or Richard Stoltzman. Or maybe Benny Goodman!
So tomorrow is her first lesson. I hope it's the first of many.
Have a great evening, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment