Klarinet Archive - Posting 000448.txt from 1997/07

From: John Blegen <blegen@-----.us>
Subj: Re: Tongue piercing
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 13:10:51 -0400

Ah! I finally got it. I'm an old guy who finds the concept of tongue
piercing repulsive, can't imagine why anyone would want ... especially a
clarinet player ... etc. etc. But when I was a young clarinet player, I
DID smoke. I even thought it was cool. I even thought that lighting up
after a set was particularly satisfying. And, yes, there was ample
evidence at the time that this was not good for one's lungs and,
consequently, one's life, let alone one's long tones. But I did it. So
I understand somebody who wants to pierce the tongue. I would certainly
recommend against it, but I sure understand the pressure of fashion.
It's one of those things where you really have to stop and think for a
moment about what's important to you. Fortunately, you can have other
things pierced that definitely won't affect your clarinet playing.
Unfortunately, there's no other way to smoke. (BTW, I stopped in 1969.
My doctor says I'm practically a virgin again.)

Sorry to prolong this, but I felt that a sympathetic (but still negative,
mind you) voice from the older generation was in order.

John Blegen
blegen@-----.us