It's all your fault, Bowes & Bounds Connected!   If I hadn't clicked on a post by Martin Stogden - who was shamelessly touting for complete beginners for the North London Brass - then I would still be curled up in front of the telly on Wednesday nights relishing the life of an OAP.

Instead, I have to get on a bus no matter what the weather and go to a church hall in Muswell Hill and try to get a note out of a strange instrument that seems determined to resist all my efforts!

Yes - I took the 'Nine Week Challenge' advertised on this very website.  That means -  Learn to play an instrument in just nine weeks and join the band....

I answered Martin's challenge by not intending to join myself, but just  wishing him a lorra lorra luck and mentioning that my dad had played in the Sally Army band when he was a teenager.  Big mistake!   Martin charmed me into signing up.  He even let me borrow a cornet - chosen by me because it wasn't heavy and would be easy to carry on the bus - and it was a bit different to a trumpet!

I turned up at a rehearsal and I was really,  really nervous.  I actually managed to get a note out of the darned thing!  Much to my surprise!   But when I looked down at this beautiful instrument, all shiny and so amazingly constructed - I fell in love...  

So I have been going since late August - I'm not very good, let's be honest.  But if you had told me that by the end of September I would have been playing 'Abide With Me' I would have laughed!  

Don't get me wrong - if you join up you get a few valuable lessons from professionals in the half hour before the main band turn up - then they encourage you to sit in with the band and have a go.  This is a really scary experience.  But at the same time, such a valuable one.  And it also shows just how generous and welcoming these musicians are to newbies like me.  No matter how many dud notes I squeak out - and there are many, believe me - you never get anything but encouragement, advice  and support.  

But you have to respect the conductor!  He is the Big Boss!  I got told off for being too 'casual' at band practice and crossing my legs!  I agree - professionalism is everything.

In the end, it is really down to you to get stuck in and learn and teach yourself.  Unless you can afford a few lessons of course.  I don't read music, and I have never played an instrument apart from a recorder.  So if you join up you have to be prepared to have lots of encouragement - but  not to be mollycoddled, and to be prepared to make the effort yourself.  You won't find it difficult - it is such an enriching experience.  You'll make some lovely friends as well.

Then again, don't beat yourself up if you are not consistently brilliant!   I am looking forward to being 'fairly competent' - I will never be brilliant - there isn't enough time. I'm nearly 70.  But I will be happy!

I didn't post about this before because I wanted to find out if I was going to stick it out.  Last week I bought my own cornet and gave my borrowed one back.  So I am now fully committed - not very good yet, but willing to give it a go

 

Views: 417

Comment by Lindsey Berthoud on October 19, 2013 at 8:43

How brilliant, Kathleen! Well done. Maybe you'll let us know if there's a local concert we can come to and see you play?

Comment by Kathleen Duffy on October 19, 2013 at 9:21

Hello Lindsey - Thanks for your nice comment.  I'm not quite ready to play in public just yet  - but I will post here when North London Brass are doing things in the area. They are very good. :)

Comment by Paul on October 20, 2013 at 14:46

It is great how much music is going on in the area at the moment.  I've been learning to play with the Fortismere Community Brass beginners band on a Friday night.  It has only been going for 2 months but there are 15 of us on a regular basis.  You should come down sometime - it is absolutely free and the coaches are really supportive.  

Maybe the two bands could do a workshop together sometime?

Comment by Kathleen Duffy on October 21, 2013 at 13:34

 That's a great idea - yes, there does seem to be a lot of music going on which is fabulous! About your band on Friday, but I don't want to spread myself too thinly, so I will stay 'loyal' to North London Brass!  :)

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of Bowes and Bounds Connected to add comments!

Join Bowes and Bounds Connected

Connecting the communities of Bowes Park and Bounds Green in north London.

Featured Content

Translate this website

© 2024   Created by Richard McKeever.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...