The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Have not played in 40 years!

Author: BartHx
Date: 2014-12-16 22:01

As I get 50+ years away from my high school experience, I realize just how fortunate I was. Every year, our high school band director required us to write an essay on care and repair of our instruments. He actually read and graded them taking into account our experience level. He got me hooked on learning basic repair. In college, I talked my way into using the instrument repair room as my darkroom provided I would do photography for the band and throw in some basic instrument repair. When I started playing again after 40 some years, it didn't take long to get my repair skills back. My pre-WWII Kohlert was still in great shape, so I started buying Vitos and such off that auction site to restore and donate to local schools. I then added some older Selmers (Centered Tone, Model 55, etc.) for my own collection. I eventually came across a NOS Series 9 with a damaged case that I was able to get very reasonably from a music store that went out of business in 2008. It is now set up with Roo and cork pads and a Portnoy BP02 mouthpiece and I am absolutely in love with it. My gig bag also includes my Centered Tone as a backup/loaner and a small repair kit. I have not had to resort to the CT myself, but I have loaned it out during a concert or two. I have also been known to do some emergency clarinet repairs during an intermission. At one point, one of the bands I am in shared the stage with a youth orchestra. As they were getting ready to go on, the clarinetist in the youth orchestra discovered that his clarinet had developed a problem. I didn't have time to work on it, so I handed him one of my clarinets. I could not believe the smile on his face as he came back off stage. It did us both a lot of good.

I am now playing in two community bands. Membership in the second is largely by invitation and includes many members of the first. The second includes members from some amazing high school students to one member in his 90s. I can only hope to still be around in my 90s in order to still be playing. As a high school teacher, I learned that doing something you really enjoy and surrounding yourself with young people will help you stay young. KEEP ON PLAYING!

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics