Klarinet Archive - Posting 000639.txt from 2001/02

From: Ann H Satterfield <klarann@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] beginning student
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 13:08:44 -0500

On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 10:14:24 -0700 Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
writes:
>
> Aunt Edna's clarinet caught my attention. Every band director is faced
with
> this reality. While every instrument, new, slightly used, rental or
> purchase, and particularly, "Aunt Edna's" clarinet should be carefully
checked > and play tested
> by the band director when they first make their way into the beginning
band
> program. Every beginner wants to succeed. Having a non functioning
> instrument and/or a poor mouthpiece is very discouraging to the
beginner.
> They definitely need to have a positive experience at the outset.

And occasionally "Aunt Edna's clarinet" (family heirloom instrument) is a
better than beginner instrument. Two students that i work with will have
to get pro level horns to improve on the "out of the closet" instruments.

One has his father's Vito(!), one of the few made of wood, and that
particular instrument is rather a nice instrument.

> The logic, ALWAYS offered by the parents who are either
> on a severe budget or are
> not yet willing to commit the modest amount for a rental is, "It is
> good enough to find out if 'little Suzie' is really serious and is
going to
> stick with it. If she does well, we'll get her something better later."
For sure,
> little Suzie needs a break. If she's dealing with a poor set up, later
might
> never come.

The sad irony is that the more perceptive and conscientious the student,
the more a poor instrument/set-up can discourage or hold them back.

But then, I survived a clunky odd-ball instrument (1930's Conn clarinet)
with some bad habits and a strong appreciation for the better instrument
when i got it.

I do not disagree with the general attitude, but just stating a reminder
that all family owned instruments aren't bad.
Who knows how i would have benefitted from a standard instrument
originally.

Ann Satterfield

ps.
I greatly enjoyed the comment when i later met one of the clarinet-sax
players that had played with my father--they were even in high school
band and orchestra together, later dance bands locally-- when i asked
what he thought of the that clarinet, "That always was a one man
clarinet."
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