THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512010142
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
John Ford found out that knowing how to play a musical instrument is not like knowing how to ride a bike: one does forget how over time.
So when he picked up his alto saxophone after 40 years, he found he wasn't as good as he used to be.
``To get all the way back (to his former level of performance) took two years plus,'' said Ford who joined the 40- to 50-member Tidewater Community Band in 1991. ``I saw an ad in The Clipper saying they were looking for members.''
He participated in the band during that two-year learning period.
``But thankfully, I didn't have to play the real high or real low notes too often,'' he laughed.
He concentrated on strengthening his embouchure so that he could hold those high notes and low notes.
``That's what it takes to develop tone,'' he said. ``That's true for any wind instrument.''
He gladly put in the practice time early on and still enjoys 30-minute to 1 1/2-hour sessions at least every other day. In addition to working on his long notes, Ford goes go over the scales. Sometimes, he includes some music from the band in his practice sessions. At other times, he plays fun things just for himself.
He took up the alto sax in the eighth grade.
His uncle played the sousaphone but that instrument was too large. His arms were too short to play the trombone.
``At summer camp the counselor played the alto sax, so I decided to try that,'' he said.
He continued to play during high school and at both Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and the Merchant Marine Academy in Long Island, N.Y.
``I was at a level that I could play, but I didn't push myself any harder to get that much better,'' he said. ``I could play in the band and that was it.''
Except for the brief stint he played with an official Navy band, Ford's instrument was stored away during most of his 12-year Navy stint and while his two daughters were growing up.
Now he feels right at home with the community band which provides an outlet for local band conductors. Some are professionals or former pros. Some are graduates of the Armed Forces School of Music. Some never put their instrument down, he said.
``They are people who like to play but perhaps don't want the pressure or rat race of being a professional musician,'' he said. ``Then there are people like me who played back when and the task of earning a living and raising a family didn't leave time for it.
``The band is open to people who can play and have their own instrument,'' he said. ``It's not a training ground.''
The community band plays at places such as the Jubilee, Tidewater Community College graduation, concerts at Portside in Portsmouth and at area nursing homes.
Ford says that playing with the band, which was formed in 1972 by David Mitchell, is one of his greatest joys.
``It's fun,'' said Ford who admits to being old enough to draw Social Security. ``It's something I did as far back as the 1940s that I can still do. I can't play baseball anymore.''
Full name: John W. Ford
Hometown: Lewisburg, Pa.
Fond childhood memories: ``The band playing at the Philadelphia Eagles football game. And it was always exciting when the Susquehanna River flooded every year.''
Spouse: Linda
Children: Leslee and Susan
Occupation: ``Retired as an accountant from Dam Neck (Naval Amphibious Base).''
Hobbies: ``Playing in the Tidewater Community Band, golfing and watching sports on TV.''
Last book read: ``John Philip Sousa, American Phenomenon,'' by Paul Bierley.
Favorite song: ``It depends on the type of music. I like too many to chose one. I like music by George M. Cohan and `Stars and Stripes Forever.' ''
Favorite movie: ``Sergeant York,'' ``The Sound of Music'' and ``They Were Expendable''
Can't resist: Vanilla ice cream
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I'd be a better musician.''
Favorite TV program: Sports, news and weather
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``I like a number of them. I don't really care to pin it down to one.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``At band practice.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB