Klarinet Archive - Posting 000866.txt from 2002/03

From: "Don Hatfield" <dhatfield310@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: Some wise words...
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 18:29:56 -0500

Thank you, Pattie, for the kind and encouraging words. I spent all those
years content with my sound but not satisfied, and convinced there was
something I was missing. I should point out the reason for new clarinets is
the fact I intend to head back to school within the next couple of years to
pursue, at the prompting and encouragement of friends and family, the
graduate studies I set aside to marry and have a family. I'm raising a
teenage son by myself now, and even he thinks the idea of Dad going off to
school again is cool. As long as it's a different school from the one he
ends up at.

I haven't forsaken the scientific, technical terminology and aspects of the
clarinet. But I also have learned there can be a good deal of "voodoo"
involved as well whether some like to admit it or not. This forum is a
wonderful place to learn and sort out all the wonders of the clarinet with
the aid and wisdom and encouragement of everyone here. And I can't enter
into many areas of discussion with many of you here on some levels. (But
that won' stop me from jumping in to learn something). I agree the entire
clarinet makes a difference in the sound, something I didn't do a good job
of pointing out in my earlier post. Hence, if I make a change physically,
whether my embouchure or a barrel or whatever, I admit that I agree with
Audrey Travis farther down in this edition of klarinet-digest that science
is irrelevant. I had to COMPENSATE with a student-level instrument to make
it sound like the pro-level clarinets that, by design and construction, took
little compensation on my part to arrive at the personal, individual sound I
know how to produce. So to me, saying a particular clarinet or mouthpiece or
accessory is BEST is an entirely subjective, personal opinion which I may or
may not try myself to see if I think it IS best to me.

As for some of the comments about Leblanc and Noblet and Normandy I'm
reading here...I work for a Leblanc dealer and have seen and played some
Noblets and Normandys that were incredible and as good as or better than
Leblanc's "pro" stuff; and sell the new Leblancs with the confidence that
they are fine instruments. But (don't tell my boss) after comparison upon
comparison I continue to play Buffet, and that's probably what I'll purchase
again. There is a Yamaha dealer in town, finally, though....hmmmmmm???

Don Hatfield

Ps- And I'll grudgingly sell a clarinet or sax or two to finance the new
purchase. As for Kevin Fay's ineffective golf club collection, I have had
those, and bowling balls and tennis racquets and etc........and it reminded
me of a wonderful fellow who teaches trumpet at our store. He's 87, has
played with Paul Whiteman to Arthur Fiedler and more than I can recall. We
were talking about mutes one afternoon, and he told us he had EVERY mute
he'd ever bought in a closet at home- there were over fifty at last count.
He looked at us all and laughed and said "When I started playing we didn't
have all these crazy mutes...I learned to do a LOT of things with a trumpet
to please a conductor or band leader with just my brain, my embouchure and
my hands."

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend, and inside of a
dog, it's too dark to read." G. Marx

From: "Patricia Alison Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 29 Mar 2002 09:15:01 -0000 Issue 3717
Message-ID: <00da01c1d808$b2376f80$5487c843=pavilion>

Don Hatfield wrote:

Some wise words regarding an adjustment he made in his embouchure that made
all the difference in the world in how he felt while he played...
and the fact that he will purchase new clarinets soon (the lucky man).

and...

"I'll bet Yogi Berra had a quote on this whole discussion.

Time flies like the wind. Fruit flies like a banana. -- Groucho Marx

Patricia:

Don, I don't know what Yogi Berra would say, but I like the Groucho quote.
And, considering none of us have a lot of time, I'd say, stick with Groucho!
;-)

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