Klarinet Archive - Posting 000438.txt from 2003/08

From: "Martha E." <capeeire@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Questions, questions
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 21:13:52 -0400

Good evening - or afternoon or morning, if you're not in the New England
time zone. :o)

First, a brief history - I started B flat clarinet at age 8, picked up
Eflat soprano when I was 12 and played both through college, and then .
. . stuff happened. Five years later, when I desperately needed to play
music, I picked up flute. That was 10 years ago. Recently, I was coerced
into playing with a community "wind symphony" and loved it so much that
a friend questioned why I was playing flute. After all, her reasoning
went, there are 8-10 flutists and zero soprano "clarineters" (her word,
not mine) and so she challenged me to dust off my instruments and try
playing again.

And here's where the questions begin (other than - am I completely out
of my mind attempt this). The clarinets need a lot more than "dusting
off". The soprano is by Henri Pourcelle - springs and pads appear OK,
but the corks are very dry. Would they need to be replaced or can they
be salvaged? The B flat is an old Bundy student model that the springs
appear to be OK, but the corks are also very dry and one pad actually
fell out. Is repairing it worth it, or should I consider purchasing a
second hand instrument?

And if repairing is the way to go (or even consider) does anyone know of
decent repair people in the north central Massachusetts/southern New
Hampshire area?

Comments, anyone? Advice, opinions, even psychiatric recommendations . .
. <g>

Peace,

Martha E.

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