 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-05-11 21:45
Hey all!
I realize this is a weird question, but does anyone else have names for their instruments? My friends tease me because I call my bass clarinet Herbie (like the lovebug I would have gotten if I didn't get the instrument) I call my brand new Buffet R-13 soprano clarinet Excaliber (after the never-ending search to find a clarinet I loved) and the old Noblet bass clarinet I had was called Babbette (only because Babbette the bass clarinet sounds really cool) Thought this might be an interesting topic. Let me know so I don't feel like a complete freak!
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2001-05-11 22:07
I normally call my clarinet "you stupid little piece of crap". But maybe thats just me. And because my clarinet is evil.
~ashley~
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-05-11 22:28
There's 2 or 3 threads on this one in the archives. Naming clarinets seems to be common. Personally, I've only named various cars of mine, not instruments (except one very stubborn guitar - but I can't repeat what I used to call it ...)
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeester
Date: 2001-05-11 22:33
My Bb is called Monica
My A is called Erica
Monica and Erica in real life are twins.... so are my pair of clarinets
My bass clarinet is called Ami
My pub clarinet is called Sandra
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-05-12 03:45
I don't name my clarinet, but I do find it (and my reeds) perform much better if I say nice things to them and compliment them, but I guess that just makes me *really* weird... at least you don't have to feel weird anymore
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2001-05-12 04:38
Dont worry, I give pep talks to my reeds all the time. And golf balls. They behave much better if i look at them and tell them what to do. If they dont work, then well, its not my fault they didnt listen to me Yes, i am insane. Really. Arent we all?
~ashley~
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-05-12 14:32
They say if you talk to plants they grow better. Maybe if we talk to our clarinets they will play better.
All this time I thought that it was me that was playing poorly. Now I know it is butt head fault. Now i feel better.
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Author: Leanne
Date: 2001-05-12 18:13
I talk to my clarinets and reeds (especially the latter) all the time. I think it helps.
After all, reeds and wooden clarinets are kinda like plants, aren't they?
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2001-05-12 18:19
i really must try this talking to my reeds thing. it might mean i can actually find a playable reed in a box! :-)
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Author: LIZZIE
Date: 2001-05-12 22:33
My E-11 is named Eli because its an E-11 and my name is Elizabeth..lol
and no i dont talk to reeds maybe i should try that..hehehe :-)
~Lizze~
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Author: Leesh :-)
Date: 2001-05-13 07:17
Hi! I don't have a name for my Bb or A, but I like to call my Eb my "little baby" because he is just so teeny and cute! (and cause he was more expensive than the other two so I have to take extra special care of him). If you treat them like humans or pets I think they try and work WITH you. Ashley... try a bit of lovin and sweet talkin to your instruments every now and then, what have you got to loose? Every time I have been in a grumpy mood with my clarinets and reeds, I'm positive they have a mind of their own and turn against me, making me squeak and play out of tune and stuff.
It's all pretty silly but half of the time it's mental preparation as well.
Leesh :-)
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Author: Cass
Date: 2001-05-13 13:23
Leesh, I think you put your finger on it when you said,
>half the time it's mental preparation as well.
That sounds right to me. I don't name my clarinet or name other non-alive things, but I do sometimes talk to them, tell them to behave and so forth. What I am really doing is talking to myself, telling what I expect from myself. It seems almost like an airline pilot checklist of all the things that need to be done right. Using common sense I know perfectly well that the clarinet can't do any of that by itself. If something is wrong with the clarinet then it is my responsibility to get it fixed. If the reed is bad then I have to adjust it or use a different one. If there is nothing wrong with the equipment but I play like a pig, then telling the clarinet or the reed to behave is just my way of blowing off steam. Mentally I know who really needs that pep talk and I know the one who really listens to it is not the piece of wood!
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Author: Leanne
Date: 2001-05-13 19:57
I never thought about it as mental preparation....I'm section leader, so guess what the clarinet section is doing to help us play better this year. Who knows...maybe it will help. :o)
Anyway, my wooden clarinet is Albert and my marching horn is Benny. I just got a bass clarinet...I'm leading towards Russell (Rusty for short). My bass guitar is Marshall. My former contra shall be rechristened whatever the next person names it.
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Author: Stefano
Date: 2001-05-14 08:01
No.
It is already difficult to explain relatives and frieds why I play the clarinet.
Besides, I rather use my little time available playing the clarinet than talking to myself in front of it.
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Author: DLE
Date: 2001-05-15 08:33
Ha! Ha!
- Generally, my B-Flat is "Little girlie", and the Bass clarinet is called "Big Brother", 'cause it is hard to handle. And no, I'm not quite mad enough to talk to them, unless I'm drunk on several cans of Carling.
DLE.
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