Klarinet Archive - Posting 000431.txt from 2004/09

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Odd views of smaller clarinets
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 20:44:41 -0400

Matthew Lloyd wrote:

>I agree wholeheartedly with what you say. But what you are criticising
>is the life of the Eb player and those who write for the Eb rather than
>the instrument itself.
>
>I too have a liking for the opportunity to play parts that are heard
>(or, as you perhaps more honestly describe as showing off!!!!) and enjoy the fact that everyone knows what I am doing.
>
>
And this in itself may be telling:

1. People who DO enjoy playing Eb enjoy a. solo work and b. challenging
parts in an ensemble more than other folks, on the whole.

2. People who do not like playing Eb claim to dislike it because of a.
reeds b. mouthpieces c. intonation problems, but more than likely, also
do not particularly care for the part it plays in the overall ensemble.

It might pay to take a closer look at the interactive factors involved.

That's not to say you don't make an excellent point here; you do!

>why on earth doesn't Mitchell Lurie make his wonderful premium reeds for the Eb? (Does anyone have a suggestion for something that might be similar?)
>
>
As I currently do not own an Eb (much to my chagrin, but more than
likely to the great relief of my children, my rabbits and my meeces), I
have not had a need for a mouthpiece or reeds for one. I can't see why
they wouldn't at LEAST make SOME reeds for the instrument, or at least
offer custom reeds. Or blanks? Have you checked Zonda or Davie cane or
any of the other dealers? Just a thought. (Those two are the ones I've
been using most recently. I avoid reed buying like the plague. Not
something I enjoy. Right up there with mouthpiece trials!)

>The problem is not the Eb. It is the way that it is treated.
>
>
>
>
I tend to think you could expand on this idea, and basically extend it
to all of the more unusual members of the clarinet family, such as the
alto clarinet, the contra-alto and the contrabass. Oh, and lest we
forget, the much-maligned C clarinet (which I happen to adore). Too
many people want to find the easiest way around EVERY problem. There is
NO software to make a person play in tune in an ensemble, and with
themselves. It has to be done the old-fashioned way.

Patricia Smith

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