Klarinet Archive - Posting 000369.txt from 1995/06

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: On the matter of subject repetition
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 1995 09:18:58 -0400

Many of the comments being posted on the board have been discussed
here up to half-a-dozen distinct times, with each "time" taking a
week or even more. Some topics go on continuously and never really
terminate, such as reeds, mouthpieces, clarinet brands, etc.

As a consequence of topic repetition, some of our list members precede
their additions to a particular discussion with the remark, "It seems to
me that this discussion went on before ..." and I detect a reluctance
on their part to have the subject brought up again.

On one hand I agree with them. There are a lot of topics for clarinet
players to talk about. But, on the other hand, there are several factors
that are going to mitigate against a "one-time-only" posting philosophy.

First, new people are coming on board every day and they will naturally
fall into those areas that those of us who have been here for a while
have already plowed. Of course we can always point newcomers in the
direction of established history files, but that simply lets them know
what we have already said. It does not give them an opportunity to let
us know what they think.

Second, from my own point of view, I have had changes of opinion on
many of the items discussed. So what I may have said yesterday does
not mean that it cannot be given a new perspective today.

Third, some of these very difficult subjects are not going to reach
a consensus in one hearing. People will want to think about them.
Like medicine, a little here and a little there is a lot better than all
at once. It is very productive to crank on a topic for a week or two,
and then let it alone for several months, coming back to it to drive in
a new point or a different view of an old one.

Fourth, there are a lot of lurkers on this list. Perhaps by going over
a point on several occasions, they will be more comfortable with it even
to the extent of joining us in deliberations the second or third time
around.

Right now, a number of us are rediscussing (I don't want to say
rearguing) the subject of objective/subjective language when speaking
of things having to do with the clarinet. No matter which side one
is on (if indeed the idea of "sides" is important), all will agree that
it is a vital topic; i.e., how to speak about certain things and how
to best communicate concepts dealing with those things. I hope that no
one believes that a topic this subtle can be resolved with all parties
completely in agreement over the space of two weeks. And furthermore,
we are dealing in some very deeply entrenched ideas. If they have
weaknesses, we will not root them out in one go. And if they do not
have weaknesses, learning that is alone worth the reexamination.

One final point with respect to topic repetition: I first brought up
the subject of performance practice in Mozart's music more than two
years ago. No one bit. So I dropped it. I brought it up again 6
months later and got several bites, all of which suggested that I belong
in a mental institution. That's OK. I probably do and we had a brief
discussion on the subject. I brought it up again 6 months later and a
few people were in agreement with some small pieces of my philosophy. Others
who had suggested a mental institution for me in the past, now would have
been happy with a simple jail term. I brought it up again about 6 months
ago, and a few people were interested enough that we actually discussed it
for a few days and no one said I belonged in a mental institution.

If I keep bringing this point up every six months, my psychiatrist is going
to be very upset because he had intended to institutionalize me and cannot
do so with fewer and fewer of you in agreement.

People grow. People change. People's opinions evolve. For this reason,
I want to go on record as saying that it does not bother me one whit
to see a subject brought up again and again. If I have nothing to say,
I'll simply ignore the thread.

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

   
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