Klarinet Archive - Posting 000218.txt from 1999/04

From: James <jparkin9@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Religion vs. Science
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 11:15:25 -0400

Used to be plastic vs. wood, material vs. metaphysics, player A vs.
player B, etc.

At times tedious, I have read with much interest the discussion and
entanglement regarding materials and the like. I'm interested because I
just purchased my second clarinet. It's made of wood, like my first
purchase. Being an ignorant beginner I thought wood was better than
plastic. I based my assumption on the fact my teacher has a wood Selmer,
the perception that all student models seemed to be made of plastic
(another assumption). My experience with classic guitar and the
difference in tone and volume produced by different materials, designs
and bracing led me, again to the assumption, that the material mattered.
Now I see that there are metal, in its forms, plastic, in its forms, and
wood, in its forms that have been used to make clarinets. According to
the religion of science (I base this assumption on the fact that it was
scientists who bled George Washington to death) there is no difference
in the production of tone based solely on the material. According to the
religion of the artist (musician) there is a difference if only
perceived by the musician (artist).
As a rank amateur I have a question. Just how should one, as
ignorant as I currently am, go about purchasing an instrument that plays
well, sounds good and will last, ack!, and God forbid, even fetch me
some of my hard earned dollars back if I choose to sell it and purchase
the latest and greatest when Science or Religion makes that available?
I admit to a certain kind of musical schizophrenia, though I don't
know that it's been scientifically quantified to date. I love the feel
of a well crafted piece of wood. I delight to look at the deep hues and
subtle grain variations. I fantasize that I play better when I am in
love with my instrument. Do I? Well, I'm a beginner. Everything I play
sounds just like what I am and where I am in the learning curve. On the
other hand, I would like to be pragmatic and have a plastic instrument
that wouldn't be able to crack, split, etc. Something that wouldn't be
as temperamental as wood, or as musicians, for that matter.
I know this was long, but please forgive my ignorance. I have gotten
such good and valuable counsel from this list in the past. It's the only
reason I dared to poke my head onto the Civil War battleground. I love
music. I love wood. I love musicians and I love accuracy. Please help
me.

James

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