Klarinet Archive - Posting 000024.txt from 1995/12

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Postings and repostings
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 1995 10:25:41 -0500

About a week ago, someone posted a note asking about blow out. He said
that his instrument was getting funky, and maybe it was due to swabbing,
and that was causing blow out. What were the thougts of the players on
this board?

Anyway, I posted a brief note saying that we had been through that
discussion on at least two and probably three occasions, that he might
consider doing a key-word search on "blow out" from Oct. 1, 1994 to
the present day. He could not do it earlier than this date because
of the fact that those files have been made unavailable. And then,
after he read the files, he might still want to bring up the subject.

My entire note to him was shorter than what I have written thus far. It
was a zip, bang, wham letter and I put the whole thing out of my head.

But then other letters began to cross the board giving the same info
to the party who made the inquiry ("Go look it up."), but they also
carried an addition fillup that is worth examining.

I summarize the fillup with the phrase, "We've been through this and
who wants to do it again? It's old liverwurst, tired, done, finished,
through, over. Don't bother us."

Now no one said that. I'm exaggerating for a purpose. That was the
substance of the comments made but not in those words. And I want
to take issue with that view.

First, the fact that someone who was not involved in the earlier discussion
we had should be given the impression that "we all know about that stuff
and you are a day late and dollar short" is unfortunate. That discussion
(and many come-around-again topics) may go through analysis and re-analysis
many, many times over a period of a few years. And every time, there will
be something new to be learned, something new added, a new perspective
given, new thoughts to be chewed up, and new ideas thrust in the pile.

Simply because we have discussed a topic once or twice or even more, does not
mean that we know or have come to a unified conclusion on the topic. And
new people coming on this board have a right to add their thoughts to
ours. The matter of blow out certainly is not a settled event. It needs
more discussion, though maybe not at this time. If you do not believe
that this particular item is worth further consideration, then clearly
you mind is made up, and nothing will affect it. That's unfortunate,
because one thing that good musicians ought to have is an open mind
on a variety of issues. Stong opinions are important to have, but those
opinions should always be open to rational argument.

Certainly the topics of reeds, mouthpieces, and ligatures have been brought
up in several thousand postings over the last three years and no one
is suggesting that this stop. Those topics don't interest me so when
I see them, I simply erase them. But I do not suggest that they are
not any longer valid topics for further discussion.

Posters who suggest that newcomers should review the history files
are doing the right thing. Everyone coming on this list should do that.

I was involved in all the discussions on blow out. I still have a great
deal to learn. Only when I am dead or seriously mentally incapacitated will
I no longer be interested in learning something new about an old topic.

It is that same attitude that causes many of us as players to say, "Don't
tell me about that piece. I've played it 30 times. There is nothing more
that I can learn about it." And I've heard players say that about the Mozart
concerto and the Brahms sonatas.

I know. I know. "Leeson, lighten up." But how can I convince my beloved
colleagues and clarinet playing friends, that it is our duty as musicians
not only to be receptive to new ideas, but to actively seek them out and
solicit them, never to squeltch them or even give the impression of
squeltching them.

(Is "squeltch" a correct spelling?)

No offense intended, but people posting questions should not be given the
impression that "we" are bored by that subject. "I" am not bored.

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