The Silence Between the Notes

Gabrielle Pitman, singer-songwriter, Musicians Can Thrive podcaster, lives between the notes while advocating for people in the music life during these Covid-19 days.

Proem

I enjoyed playing clarinet in the 4th and 5th grades. I was second chair in the elementary school band. My mom was super strict about practicing. In my infinite wisdom, I quit. Today, I regret that missed opportunity. In 1989 I wanted a master’s degree. I had an Associates Degree in Nursing, plus 190 scattered credits and no bachelor’s degree. I could get a Regents Degree at the local Community College. All I lacked was 11 credits in the State of West Virginia — credits in anything. I went to the music department and asked if I could get credit for taking clarinet lessons. I ws told, ‘no, not unless I was planning to be a music teacher.’ Just then, a man walked in and said he needed another sax player in the jazz band. ‘No, I don’t play sax, but if you give me clarinet and sax lessons, I will play in the jazz band.’ Done deal, five credits. The second semester they gave me a baritone sax to play. I was in love. After I got my bachelor’s, I stopped playing while I got my master’s at the University of Minnesota. I’ve been playing regularly since 1994–26 years, 4–6 days a week in Jazz Bands, Big Bands, a Latin and Blues Funk Band, sometimes no bands. My peak experience in music was on a Blues…