Klarinet Archive - Posting 001117.txt from 1998/12

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] To Oboe or Not to Oboe....
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 17:10:55 -0500

On Tue, 29 Dec 1998, Kevin Fay (LCA) wrote:

> Based on my familial observations, even AFTER years of experience, the
> investment of a great deal of money in tools, equipment and supplies,
> and a huge amount of trial and error, you STILL won't have any but a
> pitiful few reeds from which to choose on the night of the big solo.

Of course, you are correct. I was trying not to be *too* discouraging.
Every oboist has found themselves a half-hour before an important
performance with no reeds that work. Then, what they have to do is try to
make a new reed under panic conditions, with much praying, cursing,
breaking out in a cold sweat, promising to burn the instrument tomorrow,
etc. Naturally, the reed made under such conditions won't work either, so
what you have to do is dig out one of the old ones and make the best of
it, hoping all along that there is no one in the audience who knows
anything about the oboe.

Is it any wonder that oboists have the reputation of being, uh, well,
eccentric?

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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