Klarinet Archive - Posting 000223.txt from 1999/04

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Religion vs. Science
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 11:46:23 -0400

On Sun, 4 Apr 1999, James wrote:
> 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?

First, forget that plastics or wood make a difference. Second, find a
plastic that is made identically to a wood that has a reputation you are
considering (identically meaning the same process - with all the subtle
variations Stephen mentioned). Third, play on them and decide which you
like better. If I had it to do again, I would purchase the Greenline
series over the wooden counterparts. Why? I don't want to fool with
cracking. However, I like the overall sound of the wooden Prestige better
(for me) - it responds more immediately (for me), and the resistance seems
to give me a "woodier" (sorry - only thing I could think of) tone. The
Greenline has a beautiful sound, and I would love to have one or two
(Bb/A) set as a back up set. There are some applications that really
scream for what I perceive as a more mellow sound than the wooden horn.
But, I diverse.

Play each horn until you decide which you like better. Have another
person that you respect try ONLY the horn you pick and validate the pitch,
response, etc.......and then buy it. Don't worry about the materials of
the instrument.

> 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.

Oboy.....now you screwed the whole scenario up!!!!

> 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.

Go with the plastic James - cracking is an issue you will, eventually,
have to contend with. Or, take a risk, pick a wood horn you like and make
sure it has all the beauty of wood grain that you like - but then, you
must declare to the list that you will practice every day and admire the
beauty of the wood on a daily basis - otherwise, you must live in guilt
and fear of being found out for the rest of your perfomring days.

> 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.

No longer than any other posts lately (gulp).
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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