Klarinet Archive - Posting 000177.txt from 2000/03

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Toys = Tools?
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 17:05:37 -0500

Tony Pay commented:

<<<I know that this thread went in a different direction, but I do think
it's important to keep alive the tenuously established distinction between
toys and tools.>>>

An interesting discussion, ultimately linguistic I think. Depending on what
connotations one drags in, there may or may not be a dichotomy between toys
and tools.

"Tool" is a useful word, denoting a useful thing. The clarinet is certainly
a tool. We use it to make music (some of us, anyway). It has other uses --
kindling, pet control -- but these are secondary at best.

"Toy" is a more complex word. At one level (in line with the definition I
ponied up last week some time), a toy is a "thing" that makes you happy. My
son is but two, but eloquent beyond his short years; he refers to both toys
and gifts as "happys." While his use of language will undoubtedly develop,
I think that he may have the concept exactly right.

"Toy" also has negative connotations, however, most notably that the use of
one is not a "serious" endeavor. When I started this avenue of the string,
I was careful to provide a definition of "toy" not using these connotations
-- I expected, however, that each reader might use the connotations, hence
leading to spirited discussion.

To say that a clarinet is but a mere toy in this manner is, in my opinion,
simply wrong. At a recent school meeting I attended, several parents were
trying to get a particularly dense administrator to see that band was *not*
an extra-curricular activity--music classes are not the equivalent of
playing on the football team. I pointed out that one difference between a
clarinet and a football, other than the price, is that no university will
grant you a degree in football playing (you may snicker at the effects of
football on academic performance here if you wish). One can get a doctorate
in clarinet performance.

Nevertheless, a tool can also be a "happy." I'm certainly quite fond of my
clarinets -- they have names, and I have ascribed personalities to them.
Silly indeed. Of course, they are tools that I use for public performance.
No matter -- I am still fond of them.

I suspect that Tony is fond of his, too. On the video clips on his record
company's website, it appears that way.

Best regards,

kjf

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org