Klarinet Archive - Posting 000453.txt from 1999/05

From: "Gary L. Smith" <garysmith@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] A-flat high soprano clarinet?
Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 15:14:33 -0400

At 01:47 PM 5/9/99 EDT, you wrote:
>I saw one of those in the Leblanc catalog not so long ago. I was also
>wondering if anyone had some experience with one.

I attended a district honor band concert recently. Afterwards, I saw one of
the girls (the term is used advisedly, since we're talking jr. & sr. high
students here - feminists can lash me if they wish) walk by with one of the
little beasties. I will admit here that I didn't know exactly what it was,
but I knew it was smaller than an Eb or D would be. Having assured her I
was a clarinetist and I knew what I was doing, I got permission from her to
hold it and try to place my fat fingers in the general vicinity of the tone
holes. Wow. Of course, I didn't try to play it, but I can imagine that
would be an experience.

I couldn't resist. I asked her if she could play it in tune. She said she
could most of the time. I congratulated her.

If one turned up at a district honor band, I can't imagine they're that
hard to find or buy, although I find myself wondering what piece(s) she
would have played it on. She didn't have a Bb with her, so I assume she
played it on the program, and didn't just bring it with her for some
strange ego trip. I guess if I still had a copy of the program, that would
help in this discussion. I do remember that the sr. high part of the
program was nothing but contemporary "educational" music that I've never
heard of before and never want to hear again - fast, loud, and overly
percussive.

-------------------------------------------

Gary Smith

garysmith@-----.com

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