Klarinet Archive - Posting 000498.txt from 1998/01

From: dap@-----. Paprocki)
Subj: was Player ratings now common sense
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 12:10:53 -0500

Once again, I've watched another flash fire develop on the list. Hopefully
I can put it out. Here are a couple of points:

1) Whenever you post something, THINK, you are addressing 600-800 people
around the world. Would you get up on stage at the next clarinet
conference and say the same thing? You're basically doing the same thing
here on the list. Watch what you say - opinions are fine, but sometimes
they don't need to be preached to the congregation.
If I'm talking to a couple of colleagues over lunch or to a friend
in the hall, I might make more personal judgements on players - I'm sure we
all have done this. We might debate (in a friendly way) who's Mozart or
Weber is better, who has the "darkest" tone, and on. We assume that the
conversation will not go further.

2) Why rate players? Everyone has their favorites and preferences in tone,
style, nationality, etc. There are players I don't care for but someone
else likes them, so what? This isn't the Olympic figure skating
competition. If you don't like a player, don't buy his CD's, don't go here
him play, don't use his equipment. Why make it your duty to inform the
clarinet world that certain players "are not worthy" of their place in the
clarinet kingdom.

3) Be aware (this is for all you students - any type of student, high,
College, graduate) of who you are talking to. Would you address a
professional player or a college professor in the hall the same way you're
addressing the list? This list has some heavy names on it. Express your
opinions diplomatically.

4) You can always find something positive in anyones playing or teaching.
In teaching, there is destructive teaching (this is wrong, that is wrong, -
well what am I doing right?) and constructive teaching (this is good, nice
tone, let's work on your staccato). As in teaching, if I point out a
negative thing I try to balance it with a positive thing. When writting a
critique, try to keep it even.

Hopefully this asbestos blanket will help douse the flames. Now I'm off to
the custom car show.

Dan

******************************************************************************
Daniel A. Paprocki

Instructor of Clarinet, Malone College
Adjunct Professor of Clarinet, Kent State University - Stark Campus

dap@-----.net
******************************************************************************