Klarinet Archive - Posting 000984.txt from 1997/09

From: benevolent1@-----.com
Subj: My first clarinet
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 1997 00:08:53 -0400

With all due respect to Mr. Hausmann, I think that in general, kids do
treat their instruments with care. My first clarinet was a plastic Bundy
handed down to me from my older cousin. I "polished" it every day and
practiced for almost two hours every night. It was so special. Our
family couldn't afford to give me any instrument, so I didn't join until
my eighth grade year, a full year and a half after the others my age. I
worked to pay for my reeds by pulling weeds in neighbor's yards and by
babysitting and tutoring. Every cent I had was put into the fund, and my
second clarinet was bought after I made All-Region band my freshman year.
I bought an old Leblanc Normandy clarinet third-hand from a guy down the
street. It is still wonderful. I got that and did all I could to keep
it in the best condition, because I paid for it. Last year, after my
fourth paycheck I found a Leblanc Dynamic for about $500 which I bought.
It is beautiful. No matter what they were made out of, or what brand
they were, my clarinets were respected because they brought me so much
happiness. They were my creative outlet and what separated me from my
counterpoints. I think it was because of my hard work at the beginning
and my respect for my equipment that made me first chair today. I
wouldn't trade any of my experiences for anything. Now, I am working as
a waitress, give free lessons and tutoring sessions, just working for my
first *new* clarinet. I have my eye set on one in particular, and in
just a few weeks will have enough to buy it. I will treat it exactly the
same as I have treated my others. I handle all of them as if they were
my little "babies.

Thank you for reading a sentimental message, (Hey, I thought you weren't
allowed to be sentimental until you were old. Oh well)

Sarah

>And I'll bet you cared for it as if it was made of solid gold! If
>only
>kids today appreciated those sacrifices to the same degree. The treat
>instruments costing thousands of dollars as if they were plastic Happy
>Meal
>toys.

>Bill Hausmann
>bhausman@-----.com
>451 Old Orchard Drive
>http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
>Essexville, MI 48732
>http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
>
>If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.
>