Klarinet Archive - Posting 000438.txt from 1997/11

From: "Steven Gordon, M.D. 729 X3151" <GORDONST@-----.org>
Subj: Folklore
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 16:42:49 -0500

One of my favorite courses at Cal was "Folklore" in the dept of
anthropology, taught by Professor Alan Dundes. An approximation of a
definition of folklore (from memory of 20 years ago) is: All of the
customs, traditions, habits and other defining characteristics of a
group of people.

At first we were amazed that we could get credit for going to a class
where off-color jokes were legitimately told. I soon discovered that
it was to be one of my more time consuming courses, with an average of
an hour of required reading daily at the library (these were reference
materials which could not be checked out).

There was a major project to be completed: Each of us had to collect 50
items of folklore, identify its source, analyze it, etc. I only wish I
had subscribed to the Klarinet list at that time - what a goldmine!

- Keep your reeds moist
- keep your reeds dry
- oil your clarinet
- don't oil your clarinet
- swab your clarinet often
- swab your clarinet as little as possible
- clarinets can blow out
- clarinets can blow in
- clean your mouthpiece with vinegar
- play long tones to warm up
- warm up by playing double high c for 15 minutes with circular
breathing (just kidding)

Not to mention the large variety of stories and experiences (eg.,
destroying a students best reed to make a point) we have shared on the
list.

Folklore is not necessarily myth. It can be true. But the maxims take
on mythical qualities, with the truth sometimes altered or lost. (Was
that really a clarinet or an oboe that was crafted out of a 70 year old
piece of mpingo?) It's part of the fun of the "secret society of the
clarinet." The less outsiders understand, the better!

Just as Dan Leeson incorporated opinion from the Klarinet list into one
of his scholarly articles about Mozart, I think the archives are ripe
for someone to harvest and organize into a book which can be shared with
others. The title? :

Klarinet Folklore (or something similar). Subtitle: "The collective
wisdom of devoted clarinetists around the world - the 1990's"

In reality, it would be "the collective wisdom of devoted clarinetists
who also happen to know how to use a computer from around the world -
the 1990's."

Reminds me: Question to Mark: Is the Klarinet list going to experience
millenium blowout?

Let me be the first to offer to send $5.00 to someone who is willing to
take this on. if 500 of us agree to each send $5.00, that would give a
starting amount of $2500.00 to help defray expenses. If more is
required for the first printing, we can recruit more money over the
list. Someone on the list must be a lawyer to help set up a
corporation to make this legal. And perhaps an accountant to maintain
a bank account and send out statements.

Any takers?

Steve Gordon, M.D.
Beaverton, OR