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Backun, Bliss & Morales

Author: Mags1957
Date: 2006-12-21 23:47

I was at the Midwest Clinic this week on Wednesday and Thursday. I spent a great deal of time at the Leblanc booth, and I will be happy to report on what I think of their clarinets (as well as all the others I tried) in another post. This post is just to say that I had several conversations with Morrie Backun, Ricardo Morales and Julian Bliss, and I can honestly tell you that all three of them couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. I'm not naive - I know they were all there to work the booth and hype their products, but I can tell when I'm being "worked", and these 3 were not "working" me - they were just as down to earth and nice as they could be.

On Thursday, a student joined me there, and Julian played for her, and escorted her to a Wenger practice room so she could play for him. Morrie and Ricardo both talked to her, and all 3 were well aware that she wasn't going to be buying a clarinet in the near future. Julian was just a nice, sweet kid - no air of superiority at all. Morrie took a picture of Julian and my student, and Julian autographed a picture for her. Nice.

Ricardo couldn't have been more self- effacing and nice. When I mentioned to him that I was hesitant to play in front of him he responded "hey - we're all in this together" and had nice things to say about my playing and set-up. There was absolutely no arrogance at all - none of that "who are you, and why should I waste my time talking to you" that I have sometimes gotten in the past from some of the great players. He had a great sense of humor and laughed easily and often.

Morrie hand reamed out a barrel of mine that was just a tad small for my mouthiece - no charge- he couldn't have been happier to do it. I had offered to send it to him and be charged for it, but he said "I brought some reamers with me - just hand it over" and it took him about 3 seconds.

Just nice to know that two of the biggest name players and one of the biggest name designers were so nice to deal with - they probably spent 2 or 3 hours with me over 2 days and never once bugged me to buy a Leblanc clarinet. Regardless of what you think of their products or playing, they were genuinely nice gentlemen who would talk to and help anyone - thought I would share that.

<edited for spelling>

Post Edited (2006-12-22 02:52)

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