Klarinet Archive - Posting 000530.txt from 1996/02

From: Thomas Labadorf <Labadorf@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Metal clarinets and ash trays
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 1996 11:39:57 -0500

On Feb 16 Dan Leeson states:

"I am really disappointed and somewhat saddened at the references to making
lamps and ash trays out of metal clarinets. Such a view bespeaks (to my
mind, at least) an arrogance unworthy of clarinet players."
(snip)

I, too, once had a metal clarinet that I turned into a lamp. However, I put
it together in such a way, that if I had to use it, I could take it apart
from its lamp form, put on my best mouthpiece and play it like any other
clarinet which I did several times (albeit for parade gigs). When it was in
lamp form, I looked at it as a piece of art. The added lighting created
interesting shading which gave it a little more depth. In such a form, it is
more than worthy of display.

A metal clarinet is also a curiosity. What is the immediate picture in your
mind when someone mentions the word "clarinet?" Probably not a metal pipe
with adjuting knobs for finger holes. A clarinet displayed in this way
becomes a conversation piece. People who see it want to know more about it.

I mean no more disrespect in displaying my clarinet in this way that the
Smithsonian Museum does in displaying the full string quartet set of
Stradivarius instruments. It is better to display an instrument as a lamp
than to keep it hidden in a case where it can deteriorate.

You also said:

"And if I were playing such a horn, my sound would have been no different
than had I been playing on the most contemporary wooden instrument of
considerable cost."
(snip)

I'm not convinced of this, but that doesn't mean that I disagree. I've tried
different instruments with my own mouthpiece. The result was a different
tone. My most recent experiment involved Buffet's new Greenline clarinet.
Supposedly, this instrument is in every respect bored like an R-13 (my
instrument of choice) only made with a blend of resin and grenadilla wood
sawdust. The tone from it was different than any R-13 I've heard or played.
A subtle difference, but a difference nonetheless.

I'm still open to argument, but I don't think this is something that can be
proven on this list. Dan, you made statements to this effect before. Now it
is time to "put your money where your mouth is." May I suggest you put
together a presentation for ClarinetFest '97 to convince us all? I think it
would be an interesting topic, and could lay all our minds to rest on the
subject. What do you think?

Tom Labadorf
Clarinetist U.S. Coast Guard Band
Labadorf@-----.com