Klarinet Archive - Posting 000167.txt from 1994/09

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Gold plated keys
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 1994 13:28:11 -0400

Roger Shilcock mentions an oboeist who had his keys gold plated and then
did not play as well afterwards as beforehand.

Roger, it would be very worthwhile if you might comment on any special
circumstances that might have been responsible for the deterioration in
his playing. Did he become awestruck at the sight of the instrument and
was concerned about touching it. Were they keys more slippery (or more
anything) after they were gold plated?

John Denman, a British clarinetist who lives in Tucson, Arizona had his
keys gold plated and does not seem to have been negatively influenced by
the action.

I have three clarinets whose keys I had chrome plated and I love them.
They are shiny all the time and never, never fade. But it cost a fortune
to get them chrome plated. Platers are prepared to chrome plate a car,
but they don't do well with tiny things.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
(leeson@-----.edu)
(dnl2073@-----.edu)
Any of the above three addresses may be used. Take your pick.
====================================