Klarinet Archive - Posting 000985.txt from 1997/09

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: My first clarinet
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 1997 00:08:54 -0400

At 05:17 PM 9/21/97 -0500, Benevolent1 wrote:
>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.
>
Would that people like you and I were the norm. I had an ablsolute fit
when a tiny burr on my neck strap scratched my tenor sax (one of the few
"new" instruments I have ever bought). But you should see the condition of
some of the horns I bring in from my school service route for repair!
Worst ones of all are the school instruments, because "nobody" owns them.
But many privately owned instruments are abused, too, and it is a shame.
Not all, mind you. But I do see more underappreciated instruments than
seems reasonable. So don't take it personally. Be an example for the rest
of them!

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.