Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To tell you to join a band or orchestra?

60 replies

TheOddity · 04/06/2015 08:59

If you can play an instrument of course! I hadn't played for ten years and joined a band again a month ago. It is such a pleasure to play again, it lifted my spirit. I even enjoyed the waiting bits where you are listening to the French horns bodge a bit or as I can just zone out and feel relaxed. It made me feel like I was 15 years old again and I could still play pretty much as well as ever. Just wanted to encourage anyone with a dusty instrument to make a phone all and give it a try! Can't wait for my DS to see me in a concert as well.

OP posts:

5Foot5 · 04/06/2015 21:36

Couldn't agree more!!

I played in a band at school but after leaving at 18 I only played once in a blue moon - though I still had my instrument. For years I assumed it would be hard to take it up again as an adult as I thought groups for adults would expect a much higher standard than I am capable of.

However, several years ago DD joined a Saturday morning music club and when I took her there I discovered it had lots of different groups for all ages and standards. I started playing in one of the bands there and got more and more involved. Eventually DH also got involved as a complete beginner (at the age of 50!)

We now play regularly in a local band and often do concerts and things. It is the greatest fun and we have mad a lot of new friends.

If anyone is thinking of it I would definitely say go for it. You are never too old to start a new hobby or interest.

MsDragons · 04/06/2015 21:49

I joined an orchestra almost 3 years ago. We're all amateurs, some better than others, a variety of instruments. It's great fun, I love my 2 hours a week playing the flute. I don't particularly like doing concerts, but the others are keen so I do them anyway.

PattiODoors · 04/06/2015 21:57

Teladi get it out, oil it up or re rosin the strings or whatever, get a Tune A Day book and have a go. Go on.

Shetland · 04/06/2015 22:01

teladi I played loads at school, it formed the bulk of my social life etc etc and then went to uni and just never got organised to play there.
Fast forward 15 years of not even touching my bass or reading music I decided I had to either play it or sell it so I booked a couple of lessons to get me going. I was amazed at how quickly it came back - it was almost like I'd never stopped.

I am very lucky to have a just for fun string group in my village - we meet once a month just to play, no concerts or anything which with 3 small dc is perfect for me at the moment. I will join another orchestra at some point though - I find it very relaxing.

Actually - I think there would be a call for more adult/amateur orchestras that don't do concerts, but just meet to play and learn.
I can't commit to full day rehearsals and then a concert at the moment so I don't go at all.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 04/06/2015 22:07

I'm not sure I can join a band or an orchestra (the only instrument I mastered properly was the recorder).

I do sing in a choir though. We have one at work which costs £1 a week and runs one lunchtime per week. It is awesome

greencottage · 04/06/2015 22:21

Coming at this from the other side of the equation, I'm a professional musician and specialise in working with adult returners to the instrument (flute) and late starters. I absolutely love the enthusiasm, the commitment, and the joy that adult players bring to their music making. They can achieve so much - and so much more than they every think they can! If you're thinking about it, do it - it will add so much to your life. (If you're a flute late-starter/returner and you want any hints and tips or guidance on how/where to get started again, you can PM me and I'll try and point you in the right direction).

2rebecca · 04/06/2015 22:27

Thoroughly agree although I love instruments but am crap at having the discipline and obsessionalness needed to become good at just 1 of them. Our house is full of instruments and music stands. My husband has much more focus than me.
There are recorder orchestras with descant, treble tenor (same fingering as descant but bigger) and various sizes of bass recorders playing classical music for recorder players. It doesn't have to be three blind mice. Google the Society of Recorder Players. Other instruments can more easily join amateur orchestras.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 04/06/2015 22:42

I played the descant and the sopranino, although I'm not sure I can remember the fingering for the latter.

At various points I also played the trombone, baritone, tenor horn, euphonium and trumpet badly. My school were determined that I would play a brass instrument - despite the fact that I wanted to play the viola (my sister wanted to play the flute and ended up with a cello).

DramaQueenofHighCs · 04/06/2015 23:02

Agree! If anyone is in the Hampshire/Surrey area and wants a lovely wind band to join they can come and join the one I'm in - age range of about 8-80 grade range of no grade/1 - 8+! Lovely and friendly and informal. We only put on 3 concerts a year, a spring and summer one for friends and family and a christmas one for general public. Totally love it!

hideandseekpig · 04/06/2015 23:03

Ooh watching with interest . I used to play in orchestras and bands as a teenager (clarinet and saxophone ) but would definitely need lessons again I'm so rusty! My best instrument was always piano but that's a bit of a solo thing unless you're fantastic and I'm not!

DramaQueenofHighCs · 04/06/2015 23:04

Meant to say if anyone is interested they can PM me! (Our spring and dinner concerts are at usual rehearsal nights/times so no extra commitment and the christmas one is one weekend afternoon.)

samsam123 · 04/06/2015 23:08

just bought a keyboard - sounds just like a real piano and only 220-00 but doesn't take up loads of room - found some music in the local charity shop. I also play in a concert band its fun and they don't expect really high standards on clarinet 2 now started on 3 . Do It,

Nettletheelf · 04/06/2015 23:08

I'm in a late starters orchestra. I agree with other posters, it is fab! I was surprised by how much I enjoy playing music with other people. Even though I am a bit rubbish.

hideandseekpig · 04/06/2015 23:13

Anyone know of anything in the kent area? Not sure I have the time or money right now mind you but this has started me thinking...I really did love playing in bands and orchestras. It's a sense of achievement and it's a social thing too.

trixymalixy · 04/06/2015 23:15

I would absolutely love to join an orchestra again. I haven't played for about 15 years.

It's just finding the time that's the problem. I've just taken up tennis again after a 20 year gap and I think DH and the kids would be fed up seeing even less of me.

Lotsofplans · 04/06/2015 23:16

I totally agree with joining an orchestra, band or choir if you are at all musical. I hadn't played my violin for about 20 years when I decided to join an orchestra. I was so nervous, I hadn't played in one since I was at school! But everything comes back to you and now it's the highlight of my week.
I don't have time to practise, but I make rehearsals a priority, and you really do forget about everything else when you're playing. Everyone is really friendly, so I've made lots of friends too.

LooksLikeImStuckHere · 04/06/2015 23:20

I would love to do this, just a couple of hours a week but haven't found a band that is a half way house between beginners and advanced.

Every band I found around me either expects all Saturday rehearsals/concerts or is beginners or way too advanced for me to contemplate returning to, despite being quite accomplished as a teen.

MN band anyone?

BeeInYourBonnet · 04/06/2015 23:21

Love this thread! I had a c10 year break in playing, then played in an amateur orchestra for 5 or 6 years but then gave up as with 2DCs and WOH FT it was too much. I've recently joined a choir though, and its just as rewarding but a bit less pressure/practice. I love it

Lotsofplans · 04/06/2015 23:29

This is a good website for finding orchestras and bands

www.amateurorchestras.org.uk/index.htm

whatsthatcomingoverthehill · 04/06/2015 23:31

I joined an orchestra after 8 years of not really playing and it's been great. Nice to do something just for myself. Life becomes so absorbed with kids and work, and it's such a break from that. I was a bit nervous going along at first but it's surprising how quickly it comes back. After a couple of years I've moved on to a better orchestra (still amateur but very good standard) who do the big symphonies I love.

So I would say go for it. Around me there are lots of different groups with a range of standards.

TopazRocks · 05/06/2015 01:04

DH was a good amateur as a school boy - County and European Youth Orchestra. He's recently retired and has started going monthly to an orchestra. I'd been saying for a few years he should try it. I'm really pleased he's doing this and he seems to be enjoying it.

Teladi, I feel a bit the same though I was never that good. But with DH being around now (he is musical and very pedantic!!) I feel unhappy playing. Different instruments too - he is brass; I am woodwind. I've considered getting a few lessons to get me started again. Time. Money. Etcetera. Always and excuse! But could you try a lesson or two and see how you feel?

Shetland · 05/06/2015 16:25

I'm in east kent hideandseek and there are a few options round here. I believe there is are a couple of amateur/beginners groups in Rochester too.
If you're near Canterbury/ashford let me know and I'll give you some details.

EvilTwins · 05/06/2015 16:33

I sing with a choir and I adore it. We meet as 7 separate groups but come together to perform. As well as three "main" choirs, there's one for 5-10 yr olds, one for 11-18 year olds, one for over 60s and one for mums with young babies/toddlers (they take the DC with them) Since joining, my own DC have joined the 5-10 yr olds choir and now 4 kids I teach are in the 11-18 yr old group. I am so excited about performing all together later in the year!

Having a hobby is something I would never have prioritised but after suffering from PND and then having a stressful time when I returned to work, I am so glad I did it.

Homemadeapplepie · 05/06/2015 16:46

You're never too old to learn-I joined a brass band training band at the age of 40+, there was me and a load of 8 year olds (which spurred me on to practise loads so I could join the proper grown-up band!) It's great fun and nothing beats the feeling when you hear you're contributing to a great sound. Loads of brass bands have training bands and they will loan you an instrument.

thetroubleis · 05/06/2015 16:47

I need to get my French horn out of it's case and give it a blow.

18 years since I played properly, sold my Holton (the guy in the shop said I'd regret it) and bought myself a Paxman half double off ebay about 3 years ago.

Got it serviced, strings done and it's on top of my wardrobe where I put it when I picked it up from the brass shop

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread