Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 2000/03

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: [kl] Notions already explained more clearly and deeply in other threads, perhaps as yet unread
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 18:18:12 -0500

On Sun, 5 Mar 2000 14:05:37 -0800 , kevinfay@-----.com said:

> 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.

Notions already explained more clearly and deeply in other threads,
perhaps as yet unread.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE www.gmn.com/artists/welcome.asp
tel/fax 01865 553339

.....Carpe noctem!!!

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