 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-01-11 06:33
Over the years I've been very fortunate to have met many clarinetists who have not only been generous with their time, advice and professional opinions, but in their giving and donating free CD's, reeds, mouthpieces, barrels, supplies, and in some instances even instruments.
I recently had a student who tried to "fix" the register key on his R13 because he was not happy with the venting. Well....to make a sad story short, he wound up snapping the key in half.
Although we probably could have soldered it, or ordered a replacement key from Buffet or a parts supplier, we hoped to find someone who might have a spare (used) register key for an R13 which we could purchase.
After putting a want ad in the Classifieds, Sue Raycraft, a long time bulletin board member, wrote me to say that she had such a key which she would be happy to send out. Not only did she send it promptly as promised, she refused any payment.
My student has now learned an important lesson in how the music fraternity (especially clarinet players) are not like many in the business world who are only out for themselves and to make a profit at all costs. Clarinetists often can be generous and most willing to come to the aid of someone in need.
Sometimes, as my student has just seen, the best lessons in music are not found in books.
...GBK
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Author: myshineyblackjoy
Date: 2009-01-11 12:12
I couldn't agree more. If more people were like us Clarinetest. The world would be a friendlier place. Kudos to Sue! When I was in 7th grade (back in the dinosaur days) I tried to swedge the a/b key and bent it beyond fixing. It was two days before solo emsemble and I was feeling pretty destroyed. One of my moms friends a professional in the field let me use her Selmer signet so I wouldn't have to drop out .I was so thankful I cried.Then I went on to get all ones. And didn't try to fix my clarinet myself till decades later.Two big lessons for me. I never forgot her kindness and have tried to pay it forward with aspiring musicians myself.
Pamela J.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-01-11 12:53
I think all of us have benefited from the generosity of others. Back when I had been playing for only about 6 months, I got the most dangerous implement a beginner can have - a jeweler's screwdriver. I proceeded to take all the keys and screws off my Bundy, laying them out carefully on a sheet of newspaper so I could put them back in the same order. Of course, I moved the paper and scrambled them beyond recognition. My parents came home to find me in tears.
The local repairman put everything back together at no charge, and without any criticism. He showed me his board with a hole drilled in it for each key and screw, which he always used. I learned my lesson but good.
I've done my best to follow his example.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-01-11 13:15
Over the past decade members of my family and I have stayed with clarinetists around the world. Sometimes it's the first time any of us have met each other, but without fail my hosts have been generous of their homes, meals, and time!
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-11 15:57
My high school band director had an R-13 that was his personal instrument. He took several of us under his wing for private lessons after school at no charge, and sometimes would even drive us home if we didn't have our own transportation. If our parents weren't able to get good equipment right away, he let us use his clarinet, no questions asked. I tried out for all sorts of regional/state bands using his instrument, as did one of my long time friends and several others in the section. We basically just passed it around our own mouthpieces, of course), until we were able to get our own quality equipment.
I remember my friend had it in the gym bleachers, and the bottom half just fell off, all the way through the bleachers to the hard floor. She freaked out, ran under to get the wayward half, and her first reaction was just to kiss it to make sure it was okay. Remarkably, it was. There was no reprimand, and she was allowed to continue to use it. Because of his guidance, I still play today.
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2009-01-11 21:39
I am grateful to at least two different clarinetists, one about 12 years ago who found me my first instrument I owned, which I kept and played for 10 years until selling it over a year ago, who found a good professional instrument for less than what I was going to spend on a new intermediat. (the only money I had then to spend on an instrument wa some birthday money).
Another clarinetist I am grateful for is my first clarinet teacher, who was not only a great teacher, but als a great friend, who I am still in touch with to this day, even though he now sells real estate, though I do somtimes quote him in my teaching, and a lot of the ideas I use are influenced by ehim, especially in playing duets.
Then there are the people who have done a good repair job inexpensively or at no cost to me, especially at times when I couldn't really afford it. (But then again, I referred them lots of customers).
Expand the list to musicians of other instruments, and even to non-musicians, the list gets too long...
Meri
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-01-11 21:51
I think it's about time to thank all the pros in here who spend time with us noobs and give us advice and ideas. I wouldn't be where I am today without this forum.
--
Ben
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2009-01-11 23:52
My hope is that I can try to match the generousity to my students that my teachers in the past have shown me. Thanks to them, I still have:
a reed clipper
my Rose etude books
my Klose book
several pieces of music
an old clarinet (for parts)
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Author: marcia
Date: 2009-01-12 16:41
Last summer I had the good fortune to experience the generosity of a fellow board member. We had not met prior to that, our only contact was email, starting with this BB. He (with his wife) was a most gracious host. Made us (hubby and me) feel very welcome in their home, and also generous with his time and expertise in areas other than the clarinet world.
Marcia
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2009-01-12 18:06
Ben said, "I think it's about time to thank all the pros in here who spend time with us noobs and give us advice and ideas. I wouldn't be where I am today without this forum."
Almost every time I post, I try to show my appreciation to this BB and those a whole lot smarter than me when it comes to clarinet playing. Although I don't consider myself "good"...yet...I plan to be a lot better someday, but very much of that credit will certainly go to the BB and to the members who are willing to help us newbies. I'm not only talking about the pros either; I'm also including some intermediate and advanced players who have given me some great ideas without even knowing it.
In my spare time (believe it or not, even some retirees don't have a lot of that) I go back and read older posts, too. I'm about 2 years back now and still going.
Thanks Mark, GBK and a lot of the members here. Way to go. I'm just so thankful to have found the BB.
CarlT
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-01-14 12:45
>>Thanks Mark, GBK and a lot of the members here. Way to go. I'm just so thankful to have found the BB.
>>
Yes. Thank you all. Threads such as the excellent current one titled, "Yo, ho, ho! Three trills in a row!" have taught me a great deal -- including new ways to do the homework and think for myself.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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