To tell you to join a band or orchestra?

[TheOddity]

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.

I have a similar problem to others here in that I'm not really a good enough player for the amateur orchestra near me (who are very good and mostly music teachers), but am also not a beginner. Music was my social life as a teenager, and I was above grade 8 standard, but I'm phenomenally rusty, and don't have enough time to practice properly. I could do with some sort of a half way orchestra, but they don't seem to exist, which is a real shame. I've been in amateur orchestras elsewhere that I fitted into well - it's just here that the standard is ridiculously high!

peagreen if you're woodwind or brass, you could try finding a community band?

shetland ooh I'm near ashford can you let me know? I'm very very rusty now but I was grade 5 standard at one point working toward grade 6. I'd need some refresher lessons I think as I'm not sure I can remember any of it now I can read music though! Saw one in Rochester area but it said grade 7 or 8 I think so not for me!

I've pm'd you hideandseek

Thanks

I can't, I've often thought about it but I'm on my own so it will have to wait till the kids are a bit bigger.

Can I just say that I have seen pianos on free cycle and gumtree and I know of people who have given away very good pianos when moving house as a lot of modern houses don't have space. Several friends have offered me one for that reason. You may need to ask someone to go with you to check that it's ok if it's gumtree or free cycle. My boys are lucky to have their late Granddads piano.

Agree...being in a band, choir or orchestra is great. If you've lapsed it takes a while to get back up to standard...but IME it all comes back with a bit of practice.

Hmm, I play the violin and spent a lot of my childhood playing in orchestras. Tbh, in ever enjoyed it much. Though I loved playing in quartets/trios.

And I adore singing in choirs. Even though I'm not an amazing singer.

Same here Laurie - though I enjoyed the lot! I think it depends on the music though. Hated singing in Verdi requiem, loved madrigal choir - loved playing some stuff, hated other stuff...but the singing and playing in itself was always nice to do.