Klarinet Archive - Posting 000092.txt from 1996/03

From: Gary Van Cott <mccmis@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: taboo subjects
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 14:27:07 -0500

Bill Fogle wrote:

> I'll stick my electronic neck out for a second here and say that
> since I've joined this list (around October), I've got the sense that
> reeds and mouthpieces *are* pretty taboo.
>
> Why?

I joined the list about the same time as Bill. I have also read the
existing archive (which dates back to October 1994). I have learned
quite a bit about reeds and mouthpieces from reading all the posts.
For an adult getting involved again in the clarinet world, it has been
very helpful. I have also discussed these subjects with my son's
clarinet teacher and heard her opinions. This has provided a useful
starting point for my own explorations.

While not everyone on this list is excited by discussions of
equipment, they are generally tolerant of informed, rational
discussions of any pertinent topic. However, statements such as
"mouthpiece x is bad" without out any qualification ("It doesn't work
for me because . . ." or "My students have done better with y . . .
") are not, for good reason, greeted very warmly. (High school
students are probably granted an extra measure of tolerance.)

Gary Van Cott
Las Vegas, NV
mccmis@-----.com