Klarinet Archive - Posting 000932.txt from 2000/01

From: Tski1128@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Kenny G & Stoltzman
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 10:16:55 -0500

There seems to be theme that runs though all the comments I hear on these 2
guys. I think there is a tendency for clarinetists, to have a tendency to
want to "Trash" the playing of any player that has developed a "commercially
viable" product. I'm sure there are lot's of us who can play the Brahms
better that Stolzman, and are way hipper than Kenny, who just haven't gotten
around to putting out that Grammy nominated CD yet. 2o years ago, when I was
living in NYC, the jazzers were all talking about how Phil Woods, was nothing
but a Parker knock off. But, In my humble opinion, Guys like Woods, Stoltzman
and G, have amassed enough technique, and musical knowledge, that they are
capable of performing a piece of music they way they are hearing it in their
heads.
Now, I don't want to get off on a rant here but I think as list members we
should really be careful as to what we say on this list that's not positive.
I believe that negative comments about mouthpieces, reeds and other
equipment, need to be handled very carefully. There are people working to
develop products that we as clarinetists will all benefit from. Recently,
there was some comments regarding Morgan mouthpieces, I believe the comment
was "these were horrible" or words to that effect. I have played these
mouthpieces a lot of the last 4 yrs. I have found these mouthpieces to be
very playable have a nice sound. I will say that It is not what I'm playing
on at this time. Currently I'm playing on a Hienz Viotto, that was developed
by Cecil Gold, because I feel it has a beautiful tone color and response
which I really like. But, I still use the Morgan on my C clarinet, on my Eb
and Bass and tenor. But the minute Cecil or someone else comes up with
something that is an improvement over those, I will give them as honest of an
evaluation as I can. And if they are better I'll switch in a New York heart
beat! I will say this for me, to try a mouthpiece at this point takes me damn
near a month. In a few hrs. I might be able to decide if a mouthpiece is
worth that amount of commitment, but until I go through a cycle of reeds and
different playing situations, I can't tell.
So we are sitting at the dawn of a "new millennium" there is going to be new
things for us to play with and on. If we comment on some of these things lets
try to employ at least a little scientific method, and state opinions as
opinions and not fact! Sorry about the rant, but the kids are finnally out
of the house and it is quiet.

Tom Puwalski ( the artist formerlly known as Sarge, now a full time
music/jewish studies student at UorMD)

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