Klarinet Archive - Posting 000303.txt from 1998/06

From: "Jason Hsien" <jasonavhs@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Normandy Clarinet
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 21:46:19 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay D. Webler <webler@-----.net>

|Tristan,
|
|This student is very young and has only played for 6 months. I believe
that this would be an excellent
|instrument for this student and keeps him away from plastic. Thanks. His
parents are happy to.

>From the way the message is worded, I think you also imply that the purchase
decision has been made. Congrats.

But, I would like to say that your points about this student being new and
young really wish you would have gone the plastic road. Plastic horns are
much much easier to maintain, can withstand (well most can) the rigors of
childhood (I'd like to see how a wood clarinet handles being accidentally
dropped into a swimming pool), stand up to horrible technique and bad
maintenence, and this list goes on and on...

In my own personal experience... my first clarinet was a Bundy Resonite. It
wasn't the best horn out there. It went through many water dunkings,
freezing temperatures while being played like mad for marching band,
dropped, etc... and it still plays like a charm, with easy keying, very
little maintenence (I haven't had to replace any screws or anything. So far,
repair bills have been $0), and long life span (hey, 10 years!)

I've only a year ago made the decision to buy my wood Buffet. It's an
intermediate instrument, not pro, but I've been through repair shops thanks
to bent keys (don't have a home maintenence kit...) and still can't smear on
it (I can on my bundy). Overall, I am satisfied with my wood horn, but I've
found that I've had to take much more care of it.

You've said so yourself, this student is very young. No offense, but I know
of very few, actually zero, young kids who can handle the commitment and
dedication to take care of a wood instrument. I've abused, dropped, brushed
to the side and subjected it to horrible conditions my plastic. I wouldn't
even dream of taking my wood one outdoors.

Granted, it's used, but it sounds like too good a horn, and I apologize if
this sounds a bit rude, to waste on a young child. I would definately be
unhappy with my parents if they had purchased a wood clarinet, instead of a
plastic, just because I can look back and see how badly I treated it. Kids'
are intelligent, don't imagine you can watch them at all times.

-jason

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