Klarinet Archive - Posting 000008.txt from 2002/11

From: "WILLIAM SEMPLE" <wsemple@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Benny Goodman's sense of humor
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 08:45:09 -0500

The hoops with which some of the readers go through to get their instrument
sounding just right reminds me of a true story.

My father was a close friend of Benny Goodman. They went fishing together,
and at times even played duets.
They met at Meadowbrook in Detroit. My father spent his life listening to
and transcribing Goodman; all of Dad's efforts in tidy little books
disappeared in my house fire.

I was living in Virginia in the 1970's and was actually practicing when the
phone rang. My father said, "Bill, I have someone who wants to talk to you."

"Hi Bill, this is Benny Goodman."

Well, I am not shy for words, but I stammered, "Well, hi, Mr. Goodman."

"Call me Benny," he said. "What are you doing?"

"I am working on some Rose Etudes, Benny(!)"

"Rose Etudes? They're too difficult for me."

I laughed. I then asked "Why are you at my father's?"

"I'm playing at Meadowbrook, then we are going fishing. I am also going to
give your Dad a lesson after the concert."

"Won't that be a bit late?"

"It will last only ten minutes."

"Ten minutes," I asked.

"Yes, your father is a quick study."

"Mr. Goodman, er, Benny, before you go, I have two questions to ask you!"

"Okay, shoot!"

"How do you select a reed?"

"I get lots of boxes of reeds. I just pick the one or two out of a box that
play and throw the rest of them away."

"Do you work them in?"

"Nope, just play 'em."

By this time, I was incredulous. So I asked my last.

"Every time you play "Lady Be Good," do you think you play it a bit better
than the time before?

Benny said, "Bill, my problem these days is just standing up."

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