Klarinet Archive - Posting 000291.txt from 1994/10

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Ed Wojtowicz's comments on national schools
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 20:04:28 -0400

Ed, I was under the impression that we were all having a discussion in
which various people happened to have opposite views. I did not detect
any mudslinging in the comments made about my views and I don't think that
my responses contained a grain of mudslinging either. Disagreement yes.
Mudslinging no. It is just the kind of discussion that is to be expected
when people with strong views express themselves. You will get a range
of opinions that extend from complete agreement to total disagreement.

I read your note four times and I am afraid that, except for your inference
that technical disagreement constituted mudslinging, I
did not understand what it was you were trying to say.

I think I detected a view that if someone like Harold Wright said something
then we should accept it unequivocally. Did I misunderstand you? If so,
I am sorry but that is genuinely what I thought you said.

The bottom line here is that this is a board where people will agree and
where people will disagree. Up to this moment, I have been happy to see
that most of the disagreements are done in a spirit of being respectful
of the other person's view, even should it be anti polar to that of the
writer. Yours gives me the impression that technical disagreement is
something to be avoided, particularly if it is in opposition to a view
that you hold.

I hope that I misunderstood your note, but keep in mind that I admit to
not really understanding it despite repeated readings.

Finally, insofar as this being a subjective business (music, that is), that
is no reason to presume that objective discussions cannot be held on every
topic. Subjectivity is the provinence of the listener. The performer needs
much more objectivity and needs to be able to articulate specific things
about playing. We are not at liberty to do anything we wish and then chalk
it up to being in a subjective business. Being an artist carries with it
a heavy burden which includes being able to defend what we do in open
forum. Every clarinet teacher understands the need to be very precise in
describing a student's problems to him or her.

I am most interested in understanding your views on this matter. They are as
good as mine, maybe better. Would you mind taking another whack at telling
me what they are? I may agree or I may disagree and, if the latter, you can
expect a vigorous response that is respectful of your right to hold any opinion
you wish. You don't even have to explain why you hold that opinion. But if
you cannot, in my opinion you lose credibility.

It is not enough to say, "You are wrong, nyah." That may satisfy the writer
but it convinces no one, least of all the person to whom it is directed.

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