Klarinet Archive - Posting 000747.txt from 2002/10

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 10:26:51 -0500

Rebecca Brennan wrote,
>It may have sounded like I insulted my vito by saying
>it had better intonation than that selmer clarinet, but
>the vito has good intonation.

How fortunate that your plastic clarinet has turned out to be a good one! I
hope you keep that Vito, and keep it in playing condition, no matter what you
decide about choosing a new clarinet. A good plastic clarinet will always
come in handy for playing outdoors where you 'd rather not risk a valuable
wooden clarinet in cold, wet weather, for instance. You'll need a reliable
backup instrument, too, if/when when the new clarinet needs professional
service. Keeping this Vito that's very familiar to you means that in the
future, you can switch to it on short notice if necessary, without having to
re-learn your embouchure.

Early learning really sticks in the memory. I stopped playing my terrible
old wooden Conn Director regularly back in 1967, but I kept it for
sentimental reasons (my first clarinet -- Dad bought it for me when I was in
grade school). I can still pick it up and automatically slip right back into
the adjustments necessary to play in tune on it (or at least not quite so
miserably out of tune that it makes my skin twitch...). Tinkering with
instruments I buy at flea markets, I often encounter clarinets that are
harder for me to play, even though they're better clarinets than my old Conn.
I'm used to the Conn's quirks, so it seems easier to play. Familiarity can
lead to contempt--for the thing that's *not* familiar!

Good hunting to you!

Lelia

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