Klarinet Archive - Posting 000520.txt from 2003/08

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Klezmer? (and eBay horns)
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 17:04:55 -0400

I wrote:
>Here's another reason to get your Bundy overhauled:
>If you ever play outdoors, you'll probably want a
>plastic clarinet

Jim Lande wrote,
>>No no no. Not unless that Silva Bet you own has grown
>> into an Electrolux. Silva Bets are great for outdoors.

Of course you're right, though I'm not sure how a conductor of classical
music would react to someone showing up to an outdoor performance with a
metal clarinet. I think the plastic Bundy would be more acceptable, just
because any conductor recognizes what it is. Most people in the classical
crowd (even a lot of the clarinetists) don't seem to know beans about the
few good- quality metal clarinets. ("Haynes? Like the stockings?") They
have a vague idea that all metal clarinets are like the extra-cheap,
extra-crummy, extra-obsolete student types, and seem to think that the best
thing about a metal clarinet is that it's easy to turn into a lamp. I'd be
chicken to go into a classical audition with one--not the first impression
I'd want to make. Oh, well -- I'd be chicken to go into a classical
audition with *anything*, so....

Taking your vintage metal clarinets into a jazz club must be a much better
experience, though, right? In the jazz world, I'll bet people are more
curious, in a positive way, to hear what those instruments really sound
like. I'm definitely still interested in hauling my carcass out after dark
so I can hear you one of these weeks, Jim -- just sorry I missed the night
you showed up with the contra- alto! *That* must have gotten people's
attention.

Along the same lines, Nancy, I just read and greatly enjoyed your account
of taking that famous pink eBay clarinet to a jazz gig. Way to go!

Lelia Loban
E-mail: lelialoban@-----.net
Web site (original music scores as audio or print-out):
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/LeliaLoban

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