Klarinet Archive - Posting 001118.txt from 2000/02

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Opinions
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 22:52:23 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "C. J. Klingman" <klingman@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] Opinions

> I'm very interested in the opinions of other clarinet players, regardless
of
> the level of proof offered. Everything I hear is filtered with a bit of
> common sense. The very fact that anyone, under any circumstances, has
> experienced success with a particular item of equipment is interesting.
> For whatever reason, this person has been impressed enough to mention it
on
> this mailing list. Stimulates thought. I am as impressed with subjective
> impressions as I am with pseudoscientific evaluations. If it interests
me
> enough, I will conduct my own experiments. I hope no one is discouraged
> from expressing an opinion for fear of meager documentation. This is
surely
> not that kind of forum. If anyone disagrees with a comment, all they have
> to do is say so; they don't need to issue a discourse on the scientific
> method.
>

I think what some of us fear is the perpetuation of "everyone knows" and
various "urban legends" that just aren't true or are questionable. The
perpetuation of such can stifle progress in the development of the clarinet.
In addition to perpetuating current questionable beliefs, we fear that new
beliefs will be taken as gospel with insufficient proof yet again stifling
the development progress.

Anecdotal experiences should always be suspect. The observer can create the
results that he expects to get simply by being part of the activity. While
many members of this list do have technical backgrounds, many do not. Thus
a discourse on the scientific method is not out of line. By pushing for
controlled testing of the opinions expressed, the whole clarinet community
benefits.

History is full of things that "everyone knew" that were eventually proven
false. As I recall from one of my text books, people once believed that
riding at 60 mph on a train would suffocate you because it would "rip the
air from your lungs."

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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