Klarinet Archive - Posting 000507.txt from 2004/10

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] It seems I can't get away from clarinets
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 10:06:03 -0400

Forest,

Nor do I.

But I know plenty of amateurs who do so. And I know plenty of non-musician
parents who do so (and often, quite sadly, end up paying retail price in
the process!). I also know of plenty of aspiring professionals who blame
their instruments for their problems. I can see it now "If only I could
afford a Tosca clarinet, then all my playing problems would be solved!".
Absurd, perhaps, but substitute R13 for Tosca and it might be something
many members of the list have heard. I heard a similar statement just
recently from a college music major (I exaggerate, but not by much).

Interestingly enough, high end instrument manufacturers would likely be out
of business without the above people. How much would an R13 cost if only
"professionals" (however you want to define the term) purchased R13s? I say
to the above people, get the best instrument you can afford but don't ever
think that a more expensive instrument is inherently a better instrument
and don't forget how small a part the instrument plays in the overall
playing process.

I've said this before, but it is worth repeating. I'm really not worried
about professionals. If they want to buy a Tosca clarinet, more power to them.

-Adam

PS: Objectively evaluating the playing characteristics of a high end
instrument seems to me akin to objectively evaluating an ice cream flavor.

At 08:34 AM 10/18/2004 -0500, Forest Aten wrote:
>The people who will most likely to be able to benefit from any advantage
>that the Tosca offers will those best qualified to objectively evaluate the
>instrument. I don't know of ANY (not one) professional player that would buy
>a clarinet simply because it costs more.

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