Klarinet Archive - Posting 000065.txt from 1996/03

From: Raphael Tennenbaum <rtenn@-----.COM>
Subj: Another newbie -- and questions
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 09:15:24 -0500

I have been on for a couple of weeks now, and have found this list fascinating.

I'm a freelance writer and casual amateur clarinetist -- I grew up on Long
Island, played in junior high school and high school, but was far from a star.
To say that I studied with Naomi Drucker seems to be a wild exaggeration --
probably it would be more accurate to say that she did what she could with me.
Anyway, I mever really put the clarinet down -- I played a little chamber music
in school, and in the intervening years have managed to irritate my neighbors
on a irregular basis, destroying the Mozart concerto (playing it on my Bb no
less, but I don't think any of them even have relative pitch so maybe I
shouldn't worry) and the other usual suspects.

Recently a bunch of friends in a comedy-rock band finally heeded my entreaties
and let me play a few licks with them, and I somehow managed to get through a
couple of gigs without covering myself in shame.

Anyway, my first two questions -- and I'm bound to have a bunch of them, so be
warned -- regard picking up the bass clarinet.

1) I would like to play one or two bass parts for a soundtrack that I'm working
on with some friends -- nothing long, perhaps complicated in small bits. I
played some tenor saxophone in high school, so the embouchure won't be a
complete surprise, but any tips about making the transition would be greatly
appreciated.

Which brings me to my next question: while I'd love nothing more than to go out
and buy one, unfortunately spending $2000 or more for a new bass clarinet is
out of the question. It's possible I could swing something under $500 but --
well, maybe not very possible. It would seem that for the moment, the prudent
thing would be to rent one for a couple of weeks and see if I make out well
enough to put down a couple of tracks. (But gosh, I would love to own one --
for the purposes of this band, bass clarinet would be ideal.) So anyway, 2) if
any list members in New York (City, that is) can recommend a reputable place
where I could rent a bass short-term, I'd be very appreciative.

3) Finally, I noticed that the estimable Tom Labadorf mentioned he had studied
with Stanley Hasty, which prompted me to make an author's query: I am related
to William Steinberg, who as some of you will remember was conductor of the
Pittsburgh Symphony for quite some time. I have over the years been slowly
collecting stories about him -- and so if, for example, Mr. Hasty was willing,
perhaps he might endure a brief interview. Let me hasten to say that since I
have known many, many instrumentalists over the years, I am quite aware that
not all anecdotes about conductors are favorable, shall we say, and since my
aim would be (if I ever get around to writing anything) an objective look at
Steinberg, I am not soliciting paens of praise. I will confess, however, that
for whatever reason, I am a fan of his conducting.

Anyway, sorry for the endless post. Should little come of it, in any event I
look forward to getting more and more out of this list, it's been a great
pleasure so far.

Rafe T.
Readme @-----.com/~rtenn