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Re: decorated clarinets

Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2012-08-26 11:30

>> Metal clarinets with decorative engraving are comparatively much more common (although still exceedingly rare). >>

Yes, that's been my observation as well. Interesting, because elaborate engravings are common on saxophones from the same period (1910s through 1940s) as most of these metal clarinets. Though I enjoy those saxophone engravings, I've never thought they made any difference one way or the other in the value of the instruments. Sax players judge by the sound, just as we do with clarinets.

Because engravings aren't normal on wooden clarinets, I think an engraving might make me *less* likely to buy a modern one. I'd be thinking, "What are they selling, a musical instrument or a decoration?" If I played in public (I don't; I'm an amateur), I think I might worry about trivializing my image if I played a fancied-up clarinet, just as a woman lawyer wouldn't argue before the Supreme Court while wearing a frilly pink low-cut mini-dress and 4-inch heels.

But, because wildly floral engravings are normal on saxophones, I wouldn't worry for a second about taking my C. G. Conn "Chu Berry" out in public. Nobody thought he looked trivial playing that model and nobody'd think any less of me -- for the saxophone. They'd think a whole lot less of my playing, but it'd have nothing to do with the engravings!

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
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Post Edited (2012-08-26 11:35)

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