Richard,
No I am definitely not a pro. My formal music education does not go beyond high school, but I have been playing off and on for well over 50 years and have gained experience by playing as much as possible and playing with people that are better than me. During a period of time while I was still working, I did not play at all – about 19 years. Now that I have retired and have a lot of opportunity to participate in many types of bands in the area where I live, I have really focused on playing as much as possible. I have the time to devote to music that I was forced to sacrifice while I was working. I have even gotten my wife into playing saxophone and she has been playing about 3 years now and is progressing quite well. In the various bands we play in, we have rehearsals at least 3-4 times a week and then concerts in addition to, but less frequently than the rehearsals. so we play a lot and I hope to play even more in 2016.
I hope you continue to play and that you have many opportunities to participate with other musicians like I have been able to do. Music has been a major source of joy in my life since I began back in the 5th grade. Music is something you can continue throughout your life unlike sports that require the strength and agility only younger people have.
Good luck to you, and keep working on your skills,
Don
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