Klarinet Archive - Posting 000217.txt from 2003/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Poor Qlty. Instruments, Bigotry & Dreams
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 10:52:15 -0500

At 10:52 AM 1/8/2003 -0600, R. Williams wrote:
>Bill Hausman said; "I think the vast majority of the kids who quit band do
>so for just that
>reason" when commenting on poorly made instruments. I am formerly one of
>those kids. The instrument in question was a Bundy and I still have it.

The Bundy is actually a relatively HIGH quality instrument! Some people
don't like the keywork much, but it is very strong. I have a Bundy 1400 I
regularly play as my jazz horn because of the large bore. Properly set up
as it is, it can hold its own against anything. However, improperly
maintained, a Buffet RC Prestige will not play worth a hoot.

>The music teacher told my parents that my lack of progress was because I
>just refused to put any effort into it. She was one of those teachers
>which in retrospect was probably burned out, didn't really like kids and
>hated her job and it showed. So I suffered through two years of grade
>school band having the teacher ridicule me and my parents yelling at me
>for being lazy. I hated band and loathed clarinets.

I am sorry for you, and extremely thankful that all of MY band directors
were of a better calibre. My daughters were not so fortunate, and I think
burnout was a factor in that case as well. Fortunately, the choir director
was much better, and they thrived under her tutelage, and both still sing
regularly.

>Based on my experience in living in Asia for two years and having done
>business with mainland China, the Chinese are capable of superb
>craftsmanship and one need look no further than their art to know
>this. Manufacturing processes can be learned, quality control taught and
>embraced and when, not if that occurs, if I were an instrument
>manufacturer I would be worried.

We will watch and wait. In the meantime, I still recommend you regard all
imported Chinese instruments with the GREATEST skepticism.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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