Klarinet Archive - Posting 000484.txt from 2003/01

From: Vic Brincat <vicbrincat@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Restorations
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 20:44:15 -0500

Susan,

That's a great story of this clarinet. IMHO, it's
worth restoring this instrument just for it's
sentimental value.

The reason I am restoring this particular clarinet is
because it belonged to my father. If I may, I would
like to share a short story behind this instrument.

My father started playing the clarinet about 1932. He
played with the local town band that supplied him with
a clarinet to start with. Of course, they gave him the
oldest and least desirable instrument they had. It was
50 years old when he first got it. He learned how to
play and stayed with the band for many years until the
band club was dissolved. He kept the clarinet and even
played it occasionally. My father passed away last
year and my mother has now entrusted me with his
clarinet.
We estimate the instrument to have been built about
1880 or so. It is so worn out that I can barely make
out the manufacture. It looks like a Buffet logo,
however; it’s very hard to tell conclusively. It is
in dire need of an overhaul and has had many amateur
repairs done to it.

> So, I have been teaching myself to play it. The
> instruction I received
> during two years of band (in 6th and 7th grade),
> like a fair weather friend,
> quickly disappeared.

You should be very proud of yourself. Teaching
yourself to play again is a painful process...

Up until 4 months ago I hadn't played for 24 years.
Way back when I was a teenager, I had actually studied
at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. I have
a piece of paper somewhere that says I completed my
Grade 10 Clarinet or something like that. I’m starting
to play again and I enjoy it more now than I did back
then, I only wish I was ½ as good as I was back then.

Good luck with your clarinet. Keep practicing and
playing, it will pay off!

Vic Brincat

=====

Vic Brincat

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham (#402), 1953 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Convertible

http://www.eldobrghm.com/EB/index.htm

AOL Instant Messenger ID: CadManof50s, Yahoo! Messenger ID: CadManof50s

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