Klarinet Archive - Posting 000471.txt from 2002/03

From: w6w@-----. Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 19:40:00 -0500

<><> Robyn wrote:
He believes that clarinets that are used regularly are only good for
about 15 years before the quality of intonation, sound, response, etc.
deteriorates.

Robyn, this 'theory' is as old as the hills, and most clarinetists
disagree with it. You will find it described --- and dismissed ---
more completely in the Online Clarinet Resource (which you can get to
from Sneezy's ho0me page). You'll also fid many posts about it if you
search the Klarinet archives for "blown out".

Clarinets --- like any other device with moving parts and 'air seals'
--- do need adjustment and repair every so often. But age itself is
irrelevant to a clarinet.

If your teacher told you that something on your instrument is so badly
bent or cracked that you would be better off buying a new instrument,
then perhaps (unlikely, but perhaps) your teacher may be correct. But
if your technician looked at your instrument and said the opposite, then
I suspect that your teacher is guilty of passing on an "old wife's tale"
which is simply not true.

Cheers,
Bill

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