Klarinet Archive - Posting 000363.txt from 2005/01

From: Curtis Bennett <curtis.bennett@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Titanic (on-topic, really)
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 23:48:35 -0500

That Benny Goodman clarinet was shown with the mouthpiece with the
reed facing opposite the register key. I thought it was assembled by
someone who didn't know what they were doing. People actually used to
play with the reed touching the upper lip? That's the craziest thing
I've ever heard of.

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 22:08:29 -0500, Donna Higgins <Donna@-----.com> wrote:
> I just got back from seeing "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit." One of the
> artifacts on display was a clarinet. I couldn't make out a brand name
> or a logo. Many of the keys were gone, the rest were encrusted with
> green stuff. And the mouthpiece was on backwards from the way we play
> today. I wondered if that's how it was found, or if the pieces were
> assembled by the person who did the cleaning and resoration work. Were
> clarinets still commonly played with "backward" mouthpieces in 1912?
>
> Another interesting thing - the little card that went with the display
> said that back in the early 20th century, clarinet key systems were not
> standardized, and the keywork on a particular instrument depended on the
> level of player for whom the instrument was intended. According to the
> text, the instrument on display was meant for an "accomplished
> amateur." I've never heard that before. Is it true?
>
> - Donna
>
> --
> "L'enfer, c'est les autres."
>
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--
Curtis Bennett

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