This is not an easy topic to write about, but I feel it’s important to do so and have promised some of my piano pupils that I would. After my first couple of months learning the clarinet, during which time I was excited and soaking up new skills like a sponge, I hit a bit of a plateau. I’d learnt most of the notes already so could no longer focus my attention on that. I’d practically finished my tutor book and had learnt most of the simple scales and arpeggios. The pieces that I’d reached (of Grade 5-6 standard) could no longer be sight-read and instead required the sort of focused, repetitive practice that can bore me; the scales and arpeggios required real concentration if they weren’t to go horribly wrong; and the whole thing required more stamina than my lips can yet provide. To make things worse, I have been getting busy with work and really enjoying the Albeniz and Chopin that I am currently learning on the piano – all of which make it harder to fit the clarinet in. I have still been managing to practise several times a week, but have also been feeling increasingly guilty about both the quality and quantity of what I’ve been doing.

I think it’s really important to recognise that learning an instrument can be boring, frustrating, lonely – and sometimes more than one of the above! It’s entirely natural for one’s interest and enjoyment to fluctuate, and feeling guilty about it doesn’t help. So, having admitted all of this to myself, what am I going to do about it? I’ve decided on the following:

1. To practise either the clarinet or the piano each day, and to alternate them. While I might technically have time for both, if I don’t have enough energy and concentration left at the end of a long day, both instruments suffer.
2. I took my clarinet with me on a recent holiday to Northern Cyprus. It was surprisingly easy to carry the instrument as hand luggage; I would highly recommend it! Far away from the pressures of work, chores and piano practice, I found myself enjoying the clarinet more than I had for a while, and managed to fit in three practice sessions in five days. My mum heard me – for the first time since I was an absolute beginner in January – and was reasonably complimentary, which boosted my confidence.
3. I have decided that I want to find a teacher, even if it’s just for the occasional lesson over Skype. By far the most difficult thing for me is making a reliable, consistent and pleasant sound, and a teacher will be able to help in this area. I just need to find someone who will support me in the seemingly crazy goal of taking one of the higher grades in about 11 months’ time! Watch this space…

I’ve also discovered that my employer matches up to £100 of charitable fundraising per employee per year, which is a welcome boost that I wasn’t expecting. I had a very encouraging reply from the relevant department today so I’m hopeful that I’ll be eligible when I’ve actually taken (and hopefully passed!) the exam. If you’d like to donate to my ongoing efforts in the face of adversity (!), you can do so here.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated; it is hugely appreciated by me and by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Thank you also to my friend Vikki (whose mother inspired this fundraising challenge), who was kind enough to mention my efforts on her own blog, which is well worth a read.