Klarinet Archive - Posting 000903.txt from 2001/01

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Boosey & Hawkes wood clarinet
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 18:26:21 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ginger Calkins" <gicalkin@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Re: Boosey & Hawkes wood clarinet

> At this point, it is probably a combination of both. The pads on the
> instrument are very worm-eaten, leaving many, many, many airleaks to deal
> with. So, it takes a LOT of breath to get sound out. The repair tech
didn't
> even assemble the horn, just looked at the pads and said it needed help.
He
> personally doens't think much of the Boosey & Hawkes brand. So, I don't
know
> if he can produce that B or not.

See my other note on shot pads and irrational opinions on instruments.

>
> Hm...well, I visited same friend in California a couple months ago and had
a
> blast playing with her little student model plastic horn with none of the
> problems I'm exeriencing with this one. Which is what leads me to want to
> blame the instrument.

I think this makes it obvious that you instrument is indeed in need of
repair at least to the extent of pads.

> [snip]
> > So, although there is a strong possiblity that at least half of the
problems
> are my fault, I still want to put blame on the instrument, if for no other
> reason than to "feel better". After all, I was a darn good college player
> and I don't want to admit that I might have lost all my skill. Just
because
> I haven't played for 5 years or so....

I had a 20 year lapse between the time I put my horn down and then resumed
playing. If you were good in college, you won't have lost it all. A great
deal, but admittedly not all, of my technique remained though I did get worn
out very rapidly at first. I would be willing to bet that the largest part
of the problem is the need for repair on that instrument. A five year lapse
just isn't that long.

>
> Is it at least possible the upper-register problems are coming from
> adjusting my embouchure to compensate for a worn out reed and pads that
> aren't fully sealing, rather than a "permanent" problem that would hold
true
> over any instrument I played on? [this is where you make me feel better
> (grin) ]
>
> I hadn't thought of renting an instrument, but perhaps the band director
at
> my alma mater has a clarinet that is not in use at the moment. She and I
> played together, so I think she would loan me one to try out. I won't be
> able to wait until the wedding, as I will have to LEARN whatever I'm
playing
> :)

I know that this is beginning to sound like a broken record but
maintenance/repair is the key on any instrument. Renting or borrowing until
you get yours fixed is a good idea.

Dee Hays

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