Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 2000/03

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Falling in love
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 02:21:05 -0500

At 09:59 AM 3/2/2000 EST, LeliaLoban wrote:
>Is it my imagination, or is it possible that the reed instruments, more than
>most other musical instruments, appeal to gadget freaks? I think that of
all
>the instruments in the band or orchestra, only the oboe and the bassoon
>require more attention to routine upkeep than the clarinet and sax. Many of
>the clarinet's parts and accessories come in a wide variety of styles that
>tempt us to experiment with them -- reeds, corks, ligatures, pads, all those
>keys with all their itty-bitty screws.... It interests me that a number of
>us, far from trying to reduce the time we spend fussing around with this
>stuff, do a lot of theatrical grumbling about it while going way beyond
>what's necessary.
>
>Several list members make their own reeds. Some of us have started
>collecting old clarinets and saxes, and learning to repair and restore them
>as a hobby. Several list members work on mouthpieces and now Walter has
>turned pro with mouthpieces. We don't *need* to do any of these things in
>order to procure adequate instruments in good playing condition, if making
>music were our only goal. I wonder if the clarinet particularly appeals to
>people with the instinct to tinker, while people who don't enjoy tinkering
>might more likely gravitate to, say, the trombone?
>
I know woodwinds definitely appeal to the gadget freak in me! I feel sorry
for trombonists - the slide goes in and out or it doesn't, you can replace
a spit valve...excuse me, "water key" cork (gotta be PC) yourself, but
outside of that it's no fun at all. A jeweler's screwdriver is absolutely
USELESS to a trombonist or trumpeter, but can provide ENDLESS HOURS of
entertainment to us tinkering-minded woodwind players! I just LOVE stuff
with moving parts. That's why I had to buy the steam engine for the
electric train set!

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://homepages.go.com/~zoot14/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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