Two years ago my wife gave me a clarinet for Christmas. I hadn’t touched a musical instrument for decades. The only real music education I had was whatever they tossed at junior high school tuba players in the late 60s. It’s an adventure to learn. It’s also much more difficult than I imagined. Seemingly simple things like counting prove out to be not so simple.
Last summer I decided it would be good to play in a band – if I could find one that would take me. This was inspired by friend Beth asking if I had joined a group, a discussion on the Clarinet BBoard about community bands and the evident fun expressed by the players in Rok Quartet. With a little searching I found a band.
The Vancouver Community Concert Band
The VCCB continues the tradition of the “town band”. People getting together to play music for the enjoyment of playing music together. It’s been a welcoming environment for this paranoid about his quality clarinet player. It’s an enjoyable, relaxing group. We’ve played in city parks and community events. Next year it looks like we’ll have another series in the parks and appearances at Farmers Markets, Hop Festivals and other events.
What’s in it for me? or… What’s in it for you?
The pieces chosen by the director aren’t what I would, necessarily, choose to play on my own. So I get to expand myself by taking on challenges outside of my comfort level. Alternately, I would have considered playing America the Beautiful corny. Yet playing it is like eating tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on a cold and rainy day. It’s comfort food music. What a surprise! I would not have enjoyed this surprise without joining the band.
If you pay for lessons band practice is like a free lesson. Your own dissonance alerts you to a missed note. Getting lost teaches counting. Listening to how your piece fits into the structure of the composition teaches music.
However playing alone is not nearly as enjoyable as playing with a group. Primarily the best part of band is: It’s better together!
There really are community bands all throughout the country. If you play, have played or want to play an instrument consider checking out your local one.
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