Klarinet Archive - Posting 000525.txt from 1995/12

From: Teri Herel <Herelt@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Answers to "How Old Is My Clarinet?"
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 1995 21:23:25 -0500

In a message dated 95-12-19 11:55:00 EST, you write:

> While we're on the topic of "how old is my clarinet?", I was
>wondering
>what you thought about this age issue thing. I was playing in a Christmas
>pageant the other night and noticed how immaculate this guy's clarinet was -
>no wear and tear, beautifully polished, etc, and he's had it for several
>years.
>Then I look at mine, and it looks like it's been through a war - keys all
>worn,
>silver plating missing in several places on the keys - and... I was just as
>proud as could be! I love how my clarinet has this "broken in" look, how
the
>keys reflect the years of practice I've put in, and I wouldn't have it any
>other way. The horn plays great, and it looks bad! And I love it!
>
>What are some of your views on this? I know there are lots of musicians
>whose
>horns are kept polished and in tip-top shape constantly (This guy in the
>pageant I was referring to even held his horn during rests with a cloth so
he
>wouldn't get any excess oil off his hands on the keys.) Anybody else like
>me who likes the "broken in look?"
>
>-chad smith

Chad,

I love 'em ALL! I have an old worn Buffet with a gaping crack that's been
pinned
with some kind of goo smeared over it as well (just in case I guess, the
crack is
pinned adequately). The insignia is so worn no amount of gold crayon could
bring it out, and the nickel keys are dull on top, and green spotted on the
bottom, but what a gorgeous sound and a beloved friend!

Yet I find myself polishing the shiny keys of my brand new Eb and aligning
the insignia! I'm also considering having the keys of my A, a beautiful horn
about ten years old, silver plated.
(I'd appreciate any thoughts on replating.)

By the way, aside from asthetics, polishing the keys regularly keeps the horn
a lot cleaner:
You don't get as much junk in the holes, or those green spots from water, and
I'd guess less grit working its way into the shafts.

Teri