Klarinet Archive - Posting 000212.txt from 2010/09

From: Jennifer Jones <helen.jennifer@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] "Shakespearean" commentary
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:17:27 -0400

Dear Kathy,

My comment, "who make shakespearean commentary on everything... With
wonderful summaries accurate in spirit but not at all accurate
literally." is not meant as a dig at all. None of what I said is
intended to be a dig. It is my expression of affection for the list
as it was a very helpful thing to have when I was socially struggling
through high school. The comment refers to Peter Gentry, whoever
Peter Gentry may be. You have nice formal diction. I am not sure how
to characterize it though. I like your YouTube posts! They are
inspiring and remind me that I should do more playing.

Although now that I think about it, I am not sure I know what a dig
is, because my next impulse was to complain about the self-deprecating
speech of my high school AP History teacher. And I don't mean that
personally. I have self-deprecating behavior too. It is in the
archives. We all think of things in the past and connect them with
things in the present. But self deprecating speech and connecting
obnoxious things from the past with things of the present can be
maddening if you think about it too much.

The best rule is to stick with the direct meaning of the words. If I
complain directly, or if someone else complains directly, then that
means it is a direct complaint. Feelings may hurt, but it is better
to have it in the open. You are not a hack. You are doing a good and
interesting thing.

Yes, clarinet playing can be done in a philosophical way. Trying to
solve problems like leakage out the corners of the mouth when the
archives have little to say on the subject other than "It can't be
done", or change to a softer reed means you have to let the philosophy
kick in to show you that you are Homo sapiens (Smart Homo) and can try
something else. You don't have to give up!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Jones

P.S. The definition of "sapiens" as wise or knowing means that you
are able to learn and apply knowledge you have previously gained to
new situations; not that you have all the answers.

I had to think about whether whoever or whomever was appropriate for
"whoever Peter Gentry may be". I have concluded that whoever is
appropriate because the phrase "He may be." sounds better than "Him
may be." Presumably because whoever is taking the position of
subject, where whomever fits in the position of object, "He" fits in
the position of subject and "him" fits in the position of object.
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