Klarinet Archive - Posting 000290.txt from 1999/12

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Orchestral deafness II
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 00:06:34 -0500

> but our conductor would kick me directly out of the room, if I weared
> ear-plugs.
>
> Christian

I find this comment very disturbing. Yes, bad earplugs do affect the way we
can hear inside an ensemble, BUT it is a small price to pay for keeping
one's hearing intact. As musicians, our ability to hear is the most
important part of our job. If I had a conductor that wouldn't let me wear
plugs, I wouldn't be a part of their group.

Most orchestras/bands that I have been a part of have not had a policy
against plugs. Many of the musicians use them. One of the orchestras that
I record (a major union group here in LA) has a policy that they supply free
foam plugs for the musicians. The last concert included the Janacek
Sinfonietta and Pines of Rome. Most of a box disappeared over the course of
the run.

Next week I am going to get fitted for a pair of musicians ear plugs. I
have never heard a bad thing about them. Reed players say they don't affect
the sound they hear too much. Many sound engineers I know have them and say
the frequency response is so flat they can mix with them in. They are a bit
pricey ($180/pair), but I am getting both 15 dB cut inserts and 25 dB cut
inserts for them. I think it is a small price to pay to keep my hearing.
I'll give a report to the list when I get them.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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