Klarinet Archive - Posting 000441.txt from 2003/12

From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] C-Clarinet Alert
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 22:50:26 -0500

Dan,

I don't have any valid arguments. Only those based on the kind of prejudice
you mention in your story.

What a great story teller you are....and to be sure, your story was to the
point. People show bias in many ways. I love that your patron had called
Drucker for advise. Makes me smile.

And for Tony....I have no bias. I love to play my C clarinet and do all of
the time. In cases when I prefer to play the C clarinet and I'm not allowed
(or advised not to)....it is a disappointment.

In my experience, a few conductors claimed that they could hear a difference
in sound and because of this "difference" they didn't want the C played in
the section. These conductors didn't mention any "difference" before they
knew about the C being played in the section and they didn't mention that
there were basic differences between players sounds (both on similar
clarinets) before they were made aware of the C being played in the section.
;-) That difference didn't seem to matter.

I have played C clarinet in orchestras for years. I own a great C clarinet.
I have performed many, many times without the conductor knowing....and
sometimes without the other player in the section noticing. More often I
observe issues when the other player does know. This especially if I play
second. And of course when the conductor takes note or has been "advised"
that I am playing the C instrument. (by who and why?????) I play Bb clarinet
on C parts almost as often....just as a practical matter. Transposition is
not an issue.

Arguments I've heard from other players....

"Because we are playing different notes....fingered....we won't be able to
play "in tune".
"It's not fair......you can't play C because I don't have one"....hahahahaha
And they were SERIOUS. I packed it up.
"Tone color isn't the same"....this from a player that I had played second
to for many years, off and on....and I had performed with the C clarinet for
3 years in this particular orchestra before this player even realized that I
owned and played a C clarinet. Few in that wind section even knew I was
playing a C instrument...in all those years.

So Dan....

Most of the arguments I've encountered, were similar to the one in your
story. I don't argue this point with conductors, other players or patrons.
Like you...I want the pay check. I play whatever clarinet they want me to
play. If they want Mozart on a 5 or 7 key clarinet...I'll call Tony and spin
off the work.

Happy Holiday,

Forest

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Leeson" <leeson0@-----.net>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 1:16 PM
Subject: Re: [kl] C-Clarinet Alert

> Forest Aten wrote:
>
> > Tony,
> >
> > Are you looking for the arguments for exclusion?
> >
> > Forest
>
> I sure would like to hear them.
>
> Dan
>
> --
> Dan Leeson
> leeson0@-----.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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>

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