Klarinet Archive - Posting 000056.txt from 1994/01

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: making a better clarinet out of plastic
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 1994 11:36:25 -0500

In a previous note, I commented on my perspective of the lack of
an aesthetic beauty of plastic clarinets, comparing them to umbrella
handles. Cary said that this was not a very objective musical
criterion and I agree with him.

Despite my best wishes to remain an objective person, I find that
(in my particular case) certain unobjective criterae do assert
themselves from time to time and, while they have nothing to do with
performing, I think that they improve my performances so I do them,
right or wrong.

One is that the look of wood is so beautiful. The grain can occupy one's
attention that it causes me to lose count when I have 5,0000 measures
rest. I think I play better on a thing of beauty. I may not, but I think
I do and therefore, I do. (Cogito bellum, ergo sum! [excuse the editorial
alteration]). Another is that I think I play better when my fingers have
been manicured, so I get them manicured. I may not play better, but I
think I do and therefore, I do.

This in no way contradicts my previous comments about plastic clarinets
having no fundamental technical impediment to their being able to play
as well as any clarinet ever made. But, until they can turn out a thing
of beauty, I will stick with whatever material gives me aesthetic
pleasure.

So what started this little trip into plastic land (i.e., Andrea's
comment about her "shudder" playing on a "yech" Vito "barf" plastic
"yuk" clarinet) is still in effect. It is elitist talk that has
turned up the wrath index by 7 full points. If I could find a
good Vito clarinet (and there may not be any, but I don't know that),
I'd play one on the next set. And that's the ballet, Giselle, which
is not a good enough piece of music to be worthy of the worst Vito
clarinet ever made!!

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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