Klarinet Archive - Posting 000266.txt from 1997/12

From: Jennifer Rose McKenna <jrm0013@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Student instruments, yadda, yadda, yadda...
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 08:12:03 -0500

i see where you are coming from..my highschool director
madeit clear to those of us that used school instruments how
important it was to be careful..and he wasn't the type of
person to argue against. I guess it was engrained in my
head..i thought it was like that everywhere..maybe not.

jennifer mckenna
jrm0013@-----.edu
university of north texas
clarinet concentration/music ed major

On Sat, 6 Dec 1997 00:51:14 -0700 (MST) Josh-Boy <joshcole@-----.Edu>
wrote:
> Jennifer Rose McKenna,
>
> I agree with Prof. Garrett. The TLC an instrument really requires to
> keep working properly isn't lacking in just the elementary levels. Last
> year, one of my bass clarinetists took a wood Buffet bass clarinet to a
> marching competition, not knowing the effects of colder temperatures and
> the elements (mother nature) on wooden instruments. Well, needless to
> say, our school's best bass cracked. Since she wasn't exactly looking
> into a music career, she hadn't yet boned up on her Caring for Wood
> Instruments class. This was in high school, BTW. And in fact, most of
> the professional level or advanced instruments we had in the department
> had been trashed because very few people know or take the time to learn
> how to properly care for an instrument. This is the beauty of less-than-
> perfect instruments. Or, to avoid confusion, the beginner and
> intermediate level instruments. Hmm, here's a thought... maybe we should
> teach beginner's not only how to play the instrument of their choice, but
> also we should teach them proper care. This lack of TLC for an instrument
> is also seen at the university level. Not everyone involved in music is a
> music major, so the school kindly provides instruments for those lacking.
> And therefore, they decide to buy the cheaper instruments, because while a
> "perfect" instrument (though realistically, none actually exist! =) ) may
> sound really cool, it sounds just the same as a cheap one when broken, and
> the cheaper ones are easier to replace.
>
> Josh Coleman