Klarinet Archive - Posting 000309.txt from 2004/07

From: Virginia Hill <gigi1182@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Help us get First Act "Instruments" off the shelves!!
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 22:37:50 -0400

Well everyone,

After a woodwind.org discussion based on Wal-Mart's sad excuses for
instruments popped up, I have become inclined to write this letter to you
all. If you're getting this, you are a real musician, and perhaps you'll
help me in my cause. I am determined, for the well-being of young, aspiring,
musicians everywhere, to get these things taken OFF Wal-Mart's shelves.

Here's my idea... There's power in numbers, right?

Forward this message to every musician you know- band directors, former
students, current students, teacher colleagues, professional orchestra
players... ANYONE who you know will understand why First Act instruments
should be REMOVED from all Wal-Mart and Sam's Club shelves and burned (I
would gladly light that bonfire...).

As a former employee of a well-known music store, I too have had to explain
to customers why our repairman won't fix these "First Act" clarinets,
flutes, and trumpets. I have had their keys bend for no good reason, springs
break in my face, and I've seen more cracks and chips in the so-called
"wood" (or should we say cheap plastic made to LOOK like wood?) toys. They
play horrifically out of tune and there is no help for them. One woman could
not understand why her daughter's newly purchased $180 First Act clarinet
would not play in tune with the rest of the band no matter what she did. I
had to first demonstrate her in-tune playing with a REAL instrument (it was
a little Yamaha student model- but STILL!)-- and then showed her that even
with "nothing wrong" on the First Act thing, it's still going to play flat
because THAT'S HOW THEY ARE MADE!

Anyway, if you've read this far then you might be as heated about this issue
as I am. Here's what we ALL should do---

Go to www.walmartstores.com, on the bottom of the page, click on "contact
us". Then, complete the online form. It will only take 3 minutes of your
time! Tell them WHY, with GOOD reasons of your own, why these instruments
should be taken from the shelves. If you are still unsure of what exactly
I'm talking about, check out the klarinet list archives on Woodwind.org and
read what professional and amateur clarinetists alike have to say about
these horrible things. My own father showed me one of his student's first
act trumpets, and how he actually had to CHANGE FINGERINGS for some notes in
order to get out the CORRECT note. Kids are going to learn how to play these
things WRONG in order to play them "right". What are they going to do if
they learn on one of these things and then upgrade to a quality instrument?
They're going to have to learn all over.

Maybe if enough professional musicians contact the company, SOMETHING can be
done. Also, contact your local media if you can. Let them know that REAL
MUSICIANS will NOT stand for these insults to musicianship to be sold to the
public, and that they are jeopardizing good learning experiences for any
student who wishes to take up an instrument and ends up with one of these.
NO STUDENT should have to be tortured with one of these things. Future
musicians of this world NEED to learn on a QUALITY INSTRUMENT.

Ever heard the saying "Invest in your child's future"? Perfect example.
Learning an instrument should never be equal to playing with a toy. And of
course, these instruments ARE considered part of Wal-Mart's TOY department.
WHAT AN INSULT!

Are you guys with me? PLEASE go to the website and comment. There's POWER in
NUMBERS!!!!!

Sincerely,
Virginia M. Hill
Professional Clarinetist/Teacher
University of South Florida Graduate December 2004
Bachelor of Music in Music Education

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