Klarinet Archive - Posting 000302.txt from 1994/10

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: To Tonya Trapp about LeBlanc
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 22:35:02 -0400

Hi Tonya. Glad you are not jusk lurking anymore. I saw your note the
other day so it did make it on the board.

The new LeBlanc clarinet is finding considerable popularity. But some who have
tried it have not had the reported success that we read about here and there.

I caution you. Any new clarinet is going to make claims that it has found
a pipeline to the infinite. And when they get a player as good as Ridenour
to show you what it sounds like, you are going to believe them. But Ridenour
sounds that well on a piece of railroad track with a mouthpiece in it.

And it may be all of those things that are claimed for it. But it may not.
Only you can decide its impact on your playing.

You will also hear that some very wonderful players are using the instrument
in major symphony orchestras. And that is probably true. And the instrument
may well justify it as well. But some of those players are being paid
considerable fees to advertise the instrument and they are getting hand picked
instruments that have been specially worked on. You may not be so lucky.

The business of selling clarinets is a lot like selling soap: "It's the
new and improved model ...!!!!!!!"

Don't be impressed by hype. Be impressed by what you think. No one has
your head cavities, body shape and characterisitics, dental charts, etc.
So you try it and decide all alone. Scary, isn't it? Alone?????

An important topic that keeps coming up here on the board deals with
this subject over and over and over. What the general opinion is as
opposed to what is true.

LeBlanc has always been a reputable clarinet and the new ones may be
everything that they say they are. But what is true? Only you will
be able to know that for yourself.

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