Klarinet Archive - Posting 000718.txt from 1999/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Clarinet blow out
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 02:05:51 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.91
> Subj: [kl] Re: Clarinet blow out

> Older instruments are a great way for students
> to get ahold of better clarinets. However, if players with extremely
> high standards notice that their instruments lose something with use,
> that is an important observation. Perhaps I am a bit unscientific, but
> I'd rather have an instrument play and sound a certain way, than have
> it measure a certain way. If the sound is not what the player is looking
> for, why does it matter to anyone what can and can not be measured
> scientifically? Music making is an art, not a science. If science had
> answers for everything acoustic, then all violins would play
> like Strads, and all concert halls would sound like Carnegie.
> Chris
> P.S. I'll make it easier for you: Ready, aim....

I consider this a very important and insightful note. Chris
says that "if players with extremely high standards notice that
their instruments lose something with use, that is an important
observation." And I agree fully.

The problem that I constantly try to come to grips with has many
facets. One of this is that I am absolutely convinced that
superior players are sensitive to the phenomenon as Chris states
so well. What I am not convinced of is why they come to that
conclusion. One possible reason for their belief is that they
expect an old instrument to "blow out" and thus create a self-
fulfilling prophecy. Another possible reason is that an old
instrument does deteriorate in ways described, though my experience
does not support that in my case.

I admit that blow out as a phenomenon can exist. I also suggest
that other factors may transform themselves into a belief that
blow out is inevitable. From there it is a short leap to hell
and the belief that it is absolute.

We don't even know if its true but young players just learning
the fundamentals in college are now convinced that the problem
with their playing is that their horn is blown out.

This belief in blow out is out of control.

>
>
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=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================

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