Klarinet Archive - Posting 000843.txt from 2002/10

From: b5w@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] This thing on my front door
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 21:32:00 -0500

<><> The relative contributions of a key and a lock to latching a door
is not the same as the relative contributions of the embouchure, reed,
barrel, and instrument to a complex set of harmonics and overtones.

It depends (in my opinion, at least) on whether a moment of music can be
"almost OK". Is it reasonable to say that, because the bell affects
mostly the lower notes, that it isn't really so important because the
other notes sound OK?

A similar example --- if this incident actually happened, or is it myth
?? --- was when Mozart asked a patron who complained about a composition
having too many notes: "Which notes should I remove?" --- as if
removing 'a few notes' wouldn't destroy the entire composition.

Students face a similar dilemma when they miss a note and want to stop
playing because "the whole thing is ruined", but the teacher insists
"Keep on playing! You won't be able to quit during an actual
performance."

It's not a clear cut issue, and often practicalities of the moment make
the decision for you. But the question still remains. Did one small
detail ruin the integrity of the entire piece? Can music be 'almost
right'?

Cheers,
Bill

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