Klarinet Archive - Posting 000148.txt from 1995/03

From: Justin O'Dell <X92ODELL1@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Alto Clarinet
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 1995 14:35:34 -0500

When I was a freshman in college, the band director told me that he
had "an offer I couldn't refuse." Yes, it was the alto job. He told me I
had to play it that moment in a reading of Dahl's Sinfonieta. Everything was
against me: a beast of an instrument that I had never thought of playing
before, the clarinet section calling me a nerd clarinet player, and to top it
off, I had to play a brand new reed (my teacher gave it to me in sympathy).
I had no choice, so I sulkily hooked up the neck strap. When the big solo
came around, an actuall alto clarinet solo, it was an utter disaster. The
band was laughing so hard we had to stop. I have never been more embarrased!
Well, needless to say, I spent all night in the practice room frantically
trying to get used to the geeky thing. But then it happened! The intonation
solidified and my tone warmed up. I went into the next rehearsal with a bit
more confidence. The solo came and it was good. The conductor tipped his
hat of to me and the ensemble applauded. I looked at the clarinets to see if
they were still laughing and they too began to clap. I was redeemed.
To answer the question about instrument quality, the instrument I was
playing was a selmer. It seemed to be a really good quality horn and it
proved to be easy to get a good sound from. I *almost* didn't mind playing
it after a while.

Justin O'Dell
x92odell1@-----.edu