Klarinet Archive - Posting 000192.txt from 1997/01

From: "Dr. Ronald P. Monsen" <RPMONS00@-----.EDU>
Subj: Clarinettist's Network
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 10:57:11 -0500

The Haynes flute makers of Boston indeed got into the silver clarinet market
for a time. The A and Bb set that I played was of a double walled construction
with a vent on both ends of the body--you opened them and blow air to warm it
up quickly. Selmer (Paris) also made professional model metal clarinets in
silver. I own a Bb (1936 manufacutre) with five piece construction and a metal
mouthpiece. It is my understanding that the metal clarinet`s general level of
acceptance and use as a student instrument kept further development from taking
place. The instrument I own has an articulated G# and plays very well. I beli
eve there was a story of a Boston Symphony rehearsal before WWII in which the
clarinetist playing upon a metal instrument got into trouble. Ron Monsen