Klarinet Archive - Posting 000803.txt from 1999/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Subjective and Objective
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 20:30:28 -0500

At 01:08 PM 1/17/99 -0600, Roger Garrett wrote:
>> No clarinet will be perfect. But do all you can, objectively and
>> scientifically, to see its' faults first, before you invest!...... and
>> then make an intelligent decision as to whether you think they are
>> manageable and if you are willing to do what is necessary to put with them.
>
>Absolutely - but hopefully, we can view our purchases without the
>measuring tools, the words on the pamphlet.......rather - our own play
>test. If we don't like the clarinet (whether it be Opus, Concerto,
>Infinity, R-13, 10G) - does that mean our school of thought and
>pedagogical approach must alter to recognize the qualities of the
>instrument at hand? I know what I am saying here is not what Tom was
>suggesting (at least I'm reasonably certain) - I am not arguing with Tom
>.....rather, I am asking questions for people to ponder. In other words,
>if I try 10 Opus clarinets and determine that they do not play as well as
>the Buffet R-13 I have, does that mean there is something wrong with my
>approach to the horn or that I need to change my playing/teaching to
>help keep others from making the same mistake as I made?
>
If you don't like the Opus (or whatever) clarinets you try, it MAY be
because they do not respond correctly to the voicings and "fudgings" you
have grown accustomed to making on your own horn. With enough time spent
to readjust, you may find your old one becomes virtually unplayable by
comparison! And that applies regardles of what brand you are switching
from OR to. What Tom Ridenour has attempted to design in the
Opus/Concerto, and what he is advocating generally, is an instrument that
requires as LITTLE of such voicing and fudging adjustment as possible.
Clearly, the R-13 can be made to play beautifully and in tune, if one is
willing to work at it hard enough. But if a instument can be made that can
play just as beautifully and just as much in tune WITHOUT the extra effort,
why wouldn't the clarinet world be beating a path to that manufacturer's
door? Tradition? Inertia? Peer pressure? Maybe macho (I don't need an
"easy to play" horn, I'm too good for that!)?

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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