I`m now 19. I`ve been playing piano since I was 4 and do it really well. But now I want to learn playing the clarinet , because I want to join the marching orchestra. I haven`t played any instruments like this before - just piano. Will it be very difficult for me to take up clarinet ? How long it will take to learn - of course I know that being a great clarinet player will take a long time,but for joining the marching team? P.S. I have the absolute ear...

well, it all depends. some people think learning sax is easier to learn than clarinet/easier to learn sax then clarinet.

but if you have a clarinet to use, and you aquire a few technical books and instructional books, you may be able to learn enough to play in a marching band with in a year. remember you have the dissadvantage of not having years of expirience on clarinet, and if the band your looking to be in plays higher level music, it may take you more years than that. although, most of us clarinetists started from nothing, but u have a strong piano backround already have the music fundamentals down, all you need are fingerings and tone quality. the best way to go would be a private instructor. i say go for it, you can do it.

Thank you very much! You encouraged me!