Klarinet Archive - Posting 000082.txt from 2002/10

From: "Tim Roberts" <timr@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: painted mouthpieces
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 12:50:02 -0400

On Tue, 01 Oct 2002 20:52:18 -0500, Paul Dods <pewd@-----.com> wrote:
>
>>you could use fingernail polish to make it a pretty color. A clarinetist in
>>my band painted her mouthpiece this pink color with nail polish. I think it
>>looks stupid, but everyone else loved it, and nod all the reed players have
>>painted mouthpieces except for me.
>
>I know new members to the list should keep their eyes open and their mouths
>shut, but this one caught my attention.
>
>This is a joke, right? Or are we dealing with an elementary school student
>who needs to be told that musical instruments are precision pieces of
>equipment which must be treated with care and respect. And what kind of
>band director would tolerate such nonsense?

I think that's a little harsh. I agree that it seems silly, but unless the
aromatic hydrocarbons in the polish react negatively with the rubber in the
mouthpiece, and assuming they stayed away from the rails and the table, this
practice should be harmless.

I suspect many school directors would be gratified just to know that their
students were taking a personal interest in their instruments!

--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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