Klarinet Archive - Posting 000687.txt from 2001/10

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 21 Oct 2001 08:15:01 -0000 Issue 3405
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 12:56:39 -0400

On Sun, 21 Oct 2001 18:36:59 +0200, chr@-----.de said:

> on 21.10.2001 10:15, Tony@-----.uk wrote:
>
> > I've complained before about what I called the bad parts of an
> > 'American' attitude to playing music, here.
> >
> > How I'd characterise that in the present context is to say that I
> > perceive some American players to be wanting, perhaps unconsciously,
> > to demonstrate what 'good' players they are, irrespective of the
> > relevance of such 'good' playing to the music. They're sort of
> > 'selling' themselves.
>
> Tony,
>
> This is a provocative claim that is begging for substantiation through:
> 1. detailed explanation of exactly what you mean
> 2. specific examples
>
> So far I cannot say that the described phenomenon occurs more
> frequently with American players than with others, but this opinion is
> of course subject to change if I see sufficient proof.

Of course, it occurs throughout the world, Don.

But the Americans, like the Russians, with the best possible intentions,
have taken apart what playing an instrument is, so that we can more
easily attain physical mastery of instruments. (I notice it
particularly in string playing, actually.)

So, though we may learn very much better how to play the instrument well
from Americans and Russians, and even good solutions of how to approach
music effectively, we run the risk of looking at all of that on what I
would call, too low a level. That is, it tends to be turned, for less
musical players, into what to *do* rather than in what to *be*.

I'm not likely to win an argument by putting it in that way. But those
who understand me will understand me.

It's still true that the most wonderful players are just as likely to be
American or Russian as any other nationality, if that's what's worrying
you.

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

... The road to success is under construction...

---------------------------------------------------------------------