Klarinet Archive - Posting 000138.txt from 2001/12

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Material...was: Clarinet Bores - not me - the internal dimension kind.
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 15:50:57 -0500

Dan Leeson said:

<<I have read what you wrote looking for some germ of scientific evidence and all I get is a collection of statements invented to justify your predetermined belief.>>

What scientific evidence would you accept. What evidence would you be able to interpret? What if the scientific "evidence" said there was a significant difference but our ears couldn't hear it?

<< In almost every case, you say that the various
media produced different sound characters but you fail to explain how you determined this to be the case.>>

By listening Dan, listening. Like we determine almost all other musical criteria. I also go by the comments of others whose opinions I respect.

When ten different people come up to me and say, hmmmmm...that sounds different...I like that......isn't that evidence?

<< Further, the terms you use to describe the materials that you happen not to like ("blah" was one such term, "nice" was another, "a bit less 'complex'" was a third, though I am not sure what the difference is between complex and "complex") are simply expressions of your personal taste, not a scientific description the the tonal characteristics.>>

Yes, because I use my personal taste to guide me in my selection of reeds, mouthpieces, instruments, etc.

What/whose other criteria should I use?

You know, I LOVE to stir up controversies like these. I also know we won't SETTLE anything here. But, I do like to stir up the common beliefs though.

You asked me about my "personal" beliefs. I'll tell you one thing. About two years ago, I embarked on a journey, to find out what worked best for me. This is not just an EQUIPMENT search, but a way to find my way into the next higher level of clarinet artistry.

One thing I found out was that a lot of the things I believed, had accepted as fact, just because some "authority" had told me that fact, were, in the final analysis......wrong.

Now, I am my own authority. If it works for me, great. If it doesn't, I move on.

Let me ask a question. Can't you, with a high degree of accuracy, tell when someone is playing on a glass mouthpiece? I believe you could. I think I can.

If that is true, wouldn't that support my belief that material does make a difference?

Walter

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