 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2003-11-27 23:46
A friend has given me his grandfather's old clarinet.
In storage since at least 1975 (when he died), it's a wooden
clarinet in the key of C, Albert system and it seems
to be a "left handed" clarinet. His grandfather
played professionally in the Greek community of Detroit and his
name was Antonio Dousmanis.
I'm thinking about cleaning it up and restoring it to
playing condition although I don't know if I could learn
to play with my hands in reverse position; It might
be fun to try.
Has anyone ever heard of Mr. Dousmanis?
Thanks, Michael
Post Edited (2003-11-28 00:12)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-11-28 02:41
Wow...sounds like you have a neat little horn there. I've never heard of Dousmanis, but you could contact the guys over at American Recording Productions (based near Detroit, and their specialty is "ethnic" music). Their website is: http://www.arpmusic.com Their folks may know of this clarinetist...
Katrina
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-11-28 06:13
Michael, neither have I heard of Mr. Dousmanis.
However, I would encourage you to be very careful with that instrument, as you might have there something close to a museum piece. Left-handed Clarinets are not at all run-of-the-mill items.
Regards,
John
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2003-11-28 14:11
Ralph, I was given a letter to go with the instrument
and it mentions that he managed "a small hotel in the heart
of Greektown in downtown Detroit." He also played the
the background music for the Greek portion of a local tv series on
Detroit ethnic cultures [in the 60's?].
Michael
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-11-28 18:04
Michael,
I never heard him play, but believe that my parents did. I remember my dad remarking about the left-handed Albert system clarinet he heard in Greektown. This would have been in the late 1960's.
Regards,
Ralph
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-11-29 21:51
I have seen a left handed Boehm, Hungarian made. They are rare as hen's teeth.
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2003-11-29 23:10
Thanks everyone for the input about this instrument.
I feel very fortunate to have received it as a gift.
I definitely plan to have it restored to playing
condition. I look forward to the challenge
of learning how to play it.
Michael
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