Any other old coots out there?

[crgrbrts]

I'm excited -- but feel a little lonely, too. Y'see, I'm a 62-year old "prodigal son". My late dad was the consummate pro, playing clarinet professionally since the age of 14 with the likes of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and The Chicago Symphony. When I was about 12 or 13, he taught me to play the flute (on which, along with the sax, he doubled).

He was a good teacher and, by the time I'd practiced for a few years, I got pretty good, too -- though never near dad's level.

A military career, marriage, kids, airplanes, motorcycles and other dynamic interests displaced my pursuit of the gentle art of playing music and, so, I've barely touched lips to embouchure plate in 30 years or more.

Well, I've just acquired a beautifully restored Haynes Commercial model from the early 1930's - which looks and plays just like new - and am anxious to get my old skills back and build from there. I have no ambitions beyond playing well enough to enjoy myself. I am inspired by the 50-year old memory of a dear family friend. His name was Eric Tanner, an expatriate Englishman who, in his seventies, delighted neighborhood kids, as cynical as they were, with lilting and beautiful tunes on a Wm. S. Haynes closed hole model with a George W. Haynes headjoint ("the best of both," he said). His day job was as a quality assurance inspector at the Bendix plant in South Bend, Indiana, but he was a good enough self-taught flutest to hold down first chair in the South Bend Philharmonic Orchestra.

At any rate, are there any other "seasoned" returning players in the clan here?

It's good to be among you,

Craig
Washington, DC

[MissyHPhoenix]

Craig, yes indeed! Welcome to the forum! I am a 52 y/o who hadn't played in over 30 years, starting again about 1-1/2 years ago. And I am having a blast making music again.

I hope you have as much fun with it as I am.

[melodydad]

Oh yes! the name 'Melodydad' should give you a clue! I am 59, trained at a London music college on trumpet, spent the next few years during the end of the 1960's playing trumpet in Sould bands and backing several US Soul acts touring Europe, including Dawn and Arthur conley. Gave up trumpet in 1973 . . . and took up the flute almost five years ago!

Loving it! Have a particular fondness for Italian baroque, but also do occasional sessions, etc.

Have worked in music publishing for over 35 years . . . . .

Keeps me young!

[Konstantin]

I'm not as old of a coot as you, but hopefully I will be some day. I am almost 49. I played trombone for most of my life. I was good enough to get paid to play, but not a real professional. An eye injury about four years ago forced me to stop playing trombone. The pressure of playing was bothering my eye. So, I started playing flute instead. I am now good enough to play in a local community college band, and play solos at church, or play along with the church choir. I enjoy playing flute for fun, and have no ambition to become professional.

As I posted here a year or so ago, there are many advantages to flute over trombone. Although I miss some things from trombone playing, overall I am happier with flute. Typical music in a band is a lot more fun for flute than trombone. I also find that flute playes on average are nicer people than trombone players, and do not tend to "show-off" as much.

[melodydad]

Well, you know, I actually started on trombone when I was 10 - switched to trumpet because of the much more interesting repertoire (I could not take the Rimsky-Korsakoff Trombone Concerto any more!

But talking of personality and instruments, Konstantin, you are absolutely right - but by comparison trumpet players are much worse show off than even trombonists!

I think however posts on this website might be a little biased in favour of flautists . . . . . .