 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2004-08-11 14:47
I play the clarinet with a friend whose tone is so bad and out of tune that I wonder if I can stand it any longer.
That is why I like playing duets with pianos. You know immediately if they are in tune and the tone is usually good.
What should I say to him. Get a tuner and start playng the piano?
Post Edited (2006-03-06 18:04)
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-08-11 15:00
Do you have to visit him at his home?
Top Ten Reasons you cannot play today...
10. I forgot my instument.
9. Dog ate my reeds.
8. Just went to the dentist.
7. Sister broke my reeds.
6. Smashed hand with hammer. Which could be true if you don't want
to play with him badly enough.
5. Lip hurts.
4. Too hot or cold.
3. Big performance this week need to save the lip.
2. There are no good reeds in this world.
and the number 1 reason I cannot play with you today
1. I'm not good/bad enough to play with you.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-08-11 18:02
If he's truly a friend, just be honest. Assuming he respects you as a musician, a friendly suggestion to pay for a piano tuner and a few lessons so the experience is more enjoyable for the both of you would be in order.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-11 19:34
Acme, Wile E. Coyote's renowned supplier, offers the Acme Tube-O-Gauze. This is a capped cylinder of gauze and adhesive tape which fits nicely over one finger. It has a few outside areas bearing the unmistakable color of old blood, making it appear that your finger might have been mercilessly mauled in a ferret attack. If you cannot locate Acme's Tube-O-Gauze at your local cartoon supply store, making your own similar device should not be difficult.
Either wear one of these or, alternatively, begin making occasional terrible errors in playing. Squeaking, then complaining loudly about the squeak, can be very annoying, too.
As a last resort, you might try the actual truth. Just say, "I'm sorry, (friend's name goes here), I just don't enjoy playing the duets with you. This weekend, perhaps we could try to find an Ethel Barrymore film retrospective, or something else equally exciting."
Good luck and regards,
John
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2004-08-11 20:49
I probably woudn't use a totally direct approach myself, being a wimp. Maybe tell your friend you're taking a break from the clarinet for a while because it needs an overhaul, or your fingers have arthritis, or you're spending your time on other things. See if you can meet him somewhere neutral and get involved in another activity. Good luck. Sue
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-11 21:41
I never understand why people hesitate to just "tell it like it is". Perhaps a direct approach would be welcome by this person....if he is a friend. Maybe it would be the impetus to get him to improve himself and his instrument.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-08-11 22:51
lolol, mercilessly mauled ina ferret attack, that must be an albino ferret (they are much meaner). I have a ferret, who is o,d and limping now, but when he was young he wake me up y biting my toes under my covers while iw as trying to sleep. never drew blood though.
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-08-11 23:23
In the long run being honest and polite will be more respected than lying in such situations. I'm afraid I had the tact part of my brain removed when I was born, so personally ... I go through the scenario FIRST and then edit out the nasty bits ... then just talk honestly. It's an intriguing situation. I remember telling a friend of mine he had a recalcitrant sense of pitch (i.e. he sings out of tune more than in tune)... he's never let me forget it, but he did take it in good humour.
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-08-11 23:28
You could always learn how to play the piano and teach him yourself... HAHA! I play both the piano and the clarinet... If he has no sense of rythm, then it wouldn't be hard catchin up to him on the piano...LOL! I can't imagine how you went this long without saying a word about his playing to him... Why don't you tune the piano yourself? And you could always bring in a metronome, hook it up to a loud speaker and play to that... HAHA! If he is your friend, then he might be understandable... As suggested above, you could always do something non-musical with him... see a movie or something... And then if he wants to play duets again, you could critique him on his playing... try to help him out, instead of saying I don't wanna play with you anymore... If you really and truly don't want to bother with it though, you could always tell him how you really feel about it... The truth will set you free... lol...
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Author: ken
Date: 2004-08-12 03:37
Let's see, razor blades between the keys, no that won't work. I don't see this as a problem; just consume mass quantities of potato salad and beer for 2 days. Arrive for your next practice session wearing a halo and most assuredly, he'll be the one making up the excuses. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
Seriously, one might ask what kind of friend this person is if fundamental subject(s) can not be addressed on a musical level or shared mutually and candidly. I don't think I would want to play with that person if no music was being made, regardless of how I felt about them personally .... the music and instrument(s) should first be respected. And, tuning is basic common ground discussion, particularly in a unavoidable and exposed duet setting.
This has probably been tried but anyone record the sessions and let the tape "not lie" in the playback? Acquire a well-performed reference recording and use as a subtle ear training tool? Hey, if he be--vehwee specoh--how about hiring and/or springing for a professional tuning job for his B-Day or other useless occasion?
But alas, I too can relate; I have a long-time, dear friend I could never bare to scrutinize to his face and I'll be forever silently rolling my eyes. v/r Ken
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-08-12 03:45
ken ... I was swallowing a large gulp of water as I got to to the potato salad/beer comment ... thanks, I've now irrigated my desk.
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