Klarinet Archive - Posting 000654.txt from 2002/03

From: "Gary Smith" <asemsi@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Noblet, Evettes, misguided TDF/Tricycle analogies
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 17:34:49 -0500

I have this odd prejudice that Buffett *doesn't* really make the best
beginner/intermediate horns, but I have had students on both the Noblet and
the Evettes, and I think it's probably too close to call. If you want an
R-13 down the road, the Evette might have an edge in that it's a little more
similar horn. Given that both horns have some age on them, it's probably
just down to which one is in better shape at the moment.

As for pros who have played on less than stellar horns, Charlie Parker
probably is the first name that comes to mind for most of us. He was
arguably the most influential alto saxophonist of the century (I said
arguably, so don't start arguing - we're just making an illustration here),
and he was only-half-jokingly said to play "whatever was available,
exclusively." Musicians with endorsement deals were known to give him horns
because they felt so bad about the bad instruments he was using, only to
find that by the next day he would have pawned or sold the beautiful new
horn, used the proceeds for recreational pharmaceuticals, and gone back to
using the old horn that was held together with duct tape.

HOWEVER, using Charlie Parker as an example also suggests that we could play
at a world-class level while stoned out of our minds, and this doesn't seem
to be a good position to advocate either.

Being a cyclist, I rankle at that Tour remark - I think it's a strained
analogy. I think playing your Noblet or Evette at the level you're presently
at might be more like running in your local 5K wearing shoes that are
somewhat heavier than everyone elses. If you can't afford an R13, it's still
better to play a Noblet or Evette than to not play. I have an R13, and still
play my Noblet in a dance band. I'd rather not play the Noblet in an
orchestra job or a solo recital, but I feel I could if I had to.

Finally, don't forget there are a lot of used R-13s out there. If you can
front the cash and do a lot of shopping, I bet you could buy one, sell your
two intermediate horns, and not be out of pocket as much as you might think
(and to cite another perennial thread) - you just might come away with a
better horn than if you walked into the local music store and plunked down
$$$ for a new R13 that hasn't been very well prepared.

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