My name is Helen. I work as a chartered secretary in London, and when I’m not doing that, I teach the piano. A friend’s mother was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year and I decided to do something to raise money for the cause. The likelihood of my ever running a marathon is frankly minimal, so I thought I’d play to my strengths and learn a new instrument. I’m going to teach myself for the next year and then take a grade exam in the spring of 2019. I’m hoping that people will donate to the Motor Neurone Disease Association in recognition of my efforts – either a fixed sum or a variable amount depending on what grade I can reach and pass in a year!

It’s been many years since I played anything other than the piano, which I started when I was five. I played the violin for a few years as a child and then the bassoon for a few years after that, but I never really clicked with either instrument like I did with the piano. For this challenge, I searched for an instrument which would be practical, not too expensive to hire, and hopefully possible to learn by myself. I was undecided for a while between the clarinet and the oboe, before concluding that I’d rather avoid another double-reed instrument (with all its associated problems!) – and so, I chose the clarinet.

I’m going to post about my trials and tribulations here, and perhaps – if I’m brave enough! – upload some recordings.