Klarinet Archive - Posting 000709.txt from 2004/03

From: Brad Bunnin <bradbunnin@------.net>
Subj: [kl] Four topics in one message
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 12:35:56 -0500

First, age of musical onset: I had the misfortune to be introduced to=20
musical instruments by three bad teachers. So I gave up until I was in=20=

my mid-50s. No, I'll never play on the concert stage (although I did=20
play for my church, where I'm the pastor, with, um, certain privileges=20=

:=97). I may not even find a place in a community band. But every time I=20=

pick up my clarinet, I fall in love with it all over again. I found a=20
good teacher, I bought a good instrument, and a fine mouthpiece that=20
suits me (from Walter Grabner!), and I relaxed! Because I'm not in=20
competition with anyone, practice is meditation, as long as I keep my=20
expectations within reasonable limits.

Second, I've had very good luck buying and selling on eBay. It's=20
imperative to ask the seller questions, and it's wise to be concerned=20
when the seller's description says things like, "I don't know anything=20=

about clarinets, but it seems to play okay. It has shiny keys." It's=20
also possible to buy fraud protection, which is a good idea for an=20
expensive purchase. But only once have I been even a little bit burned,=20=

to the extent of ten dollars.

Third, I recently bought a Buffet Festival, and so my Selmer Signature=20=

b flat clarinet is for sale. I played it for a little more than a year,=20=

and it's in perfect (and I do mean perfect) condition. Flawless. I=20
prefer the Buffet because it's lighter and balances better on my thumb=20=

than the Selmer. I'd like to sell the Selmer for about $1900, but I'm=20
willing to dicker.

Fourth, at the aforementioned church, on April 4 at 1:30PM, Annie=20
Lenoir, as part of TOPAZ, the quartet led by Annie's sister Jane and=20
Mimi Dye, will perform a concert. My church is in the Oakland,=20
California Hills, on a spectacularly beautiful site (12540 Skyline=20
Boulevard), with superb acoustics. Everyone within reach is invited.=20
Tickets are $15, and you won't be disappointed.

Brad Bunnin

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