 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MoonPatrol
Date: 2017-04-12 01:28
I play in two community bands of about 10 people each and they non-profit organizations. We play gigs that put some money into the treasury and that pays for hotel rooms for the band if we play away.
The other band gets money and just saves it or uses it to manage the library.
I practice with these groups once a week. That includes driving and just showing up. I have about 90% attendance or more.
I need some reeds, about $26 worth plus shipping. I haven't bought reeds in a year or more. I'm playing old ones like lightly used Zondas and they are working, but a little less snappy. Would it be ethical to ask for one of the bands to give me a reed allowance? Brass players have less consumable expenses. I am tight on money and have other priorities so to buy a box would be contrary to my thought on this. Should I talk to the President or just let it go and keep supplying the free playing?
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-04-12 01:42
I think it depends on whether you feel you are playing as a favor to the groups or you are playing because you enjoy it and like having the musical outlet.
You will almost certainly offend the others in the groups. Only you can decide if that's worth the $26 plus shipping (if they don't find a replacement for you).
Karl
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-04-12 02:10
For clarinet players, reeds are the cost of doing business to play the instrument. The double reed players are out more money than you. You might consider the new Legere Euro Signature. They definitely have more life per reed, despite higher up front cost.
I keep hearing in the back of my mind a bunch of flute and brass players crying, "not fair". Then, at the same time, all the reed players wanting in on the free action. This all sounds like a nightmare to me. I suspect few are going to be sympathetic to your plight. I know if I was president, I'd probably chuckle and politely say no.
Pony up and pull out you cash if you want to stay in the groups.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: RKing
Date: 2017-04-12 03:25
My community bands are all 501(c)3 organizations, so it would be illegal for them to pay me for my reeds or any other service I provide as a member of the organization.
"No part of the net earnings of a section 501(c)(3) organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. A private shareholder or individual is a person having a personal and private interest in the activities of the organization." - IRS Code
The upside of being a member is that my mileage, out-of-pocket expenses, and any money I donate to the band are tax-deductible. Reeds are simply an out-of-pocket expense.
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Author: MoonPatrol
Date: 2017-04-12 04:14
It did occur to me that I might offend some people. That's why I made this post; to get feedback. Thanks..
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Author: thereallukasj
Date: 2017-04-12 09:58
The Legere reeds are EXTREMELY well made and durable with a very good sound... well at least for bass clarinet. Ive been using them on and off for about a year but finally decided they are going to be a part of my usual setup. Ive compared them with many other reeds and they are way better (that is for me and my setup). I highly recomend them and I use the standard 2.5 strength on a Selmer C* mpc. The soprano clar. reeds will for sure be cheaper then bass reeds but definately check amazon for a good deal
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-04-12 10:46
MoonPatrol - If you can show that you are that poor I will donate a box of reeds to you.
Please note, I have to pay for reeds just like everyone else, even though I am a Steuer reeds importer.
It is my job now in life to make sure that Music is Fun, Not Expensive.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Ed
Date: 2017-04-12 16:12
One could wonder where would you draw the line. Should the band also provide sticks and mallets for percussion players? Mouthpieces for brass players? Maintenance cost for instruments? As some have said, it is part of the inherent cost of playing the instrument.
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2017-04-12 17:16
You can pretty much get away with what you can get away with. As innovative demands go, there have much more extravagant ones, but reed reimbursement isn't considered part of the deal when people play in community groups, so it's an uphill slog. Probably won't do great things for relationships within the group, either, but as ethics go, much worse things happen in music that people accept without comment.
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2017-04-27 08:11
Reeds are a personal cost I would say. But it doesn't hurt to ask, especially if you feel you're playing to do them a favour instead of for enjoyment in the group.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2017-04-27 14:24
Offending someone has nothing to do with "ethics." (Besides, you can't offend someone who isn't willing to be offended.)
People are offended every day by others acting in perfectly honest, straightforward ways.
You're asking for help and you're telling the truth about why you're doing so. Nothing unethical about that.
B.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2017-04-27 18:35
As it pertains to section 501(c)(3) of the US Tax code, I don't consider it a benefit, but rather a necessity to be massaged by 5 scantily clad women prior to performance
..yeah I don't think the IRS is likely to "buy" that if reeds, truly necessary to play, are considered benefit here
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2017-04-27 19:56
501(c)(3)s can pay salaries to people, including the people in charge of them, as long as they're reasonable for the work actually performed. Reed allowances for orchestra members really aren't a tax law issue.
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2017-04-28 23:14
Check out the "For Sale" section of this BB! Under "Fire Sale" someone has posted a list of things for sale including unopened boxes of reeds. Maybe something there would be of interest.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-04-28 23:41
I wouldn't even think of asking the organization for reeds, but...
On a one-time basis, one could quietly bring up the subject informally to the clarinet section: "Hey, I'm in a pinch for reeds right now. Could I bum a couple off of you guys to get by with?"
Once you do get a new supply, you'd better be the first to offer up some to the next player who's in a squeeze.
Here in Michigan, with our highly variable weather, it's a fact of life that despite one's best efforts, it's possible to show up for a rehearsal or performance with an entire case of reeds that just won't play that particular day. We've all been bailed out by the other guy who had some new reeds to spare.
+ + +
As a tubist as well as a clarinetest, I think this needs to be said:
A brass player serious about the craft does, in fact, face several recurring expenses. For a trumpeter, a Precision Valve Alignment runs a couple hundred dollars, chemical cleanings run over a hundred bucks, valve surfaces can erode and need replating for hundreds of dollars, and that shoebox filled with mouthpieces can run from $60 apiece for a Schilke model up to over $250 a pop for the very popular Monettes. Few players can stick with one model over a playing career because one's chops changes as one ages, so, yes, this is a recurring expense and logistical headache that's just as frustrating and insidious as the challenges clarinetists face with reeds. Maintenance and mouthpieces just get more expensive as the instrument gets larger.
That guy in a community band on the Trumpet III book who's still playing his Bundy trumpet with its original Bach 7C mouthpiece from beginning band may get by with spending $5 on a bottle of valve oil every couple of years, but...that's why he's on the Trumpet III book...bell buried into the charts...and generally inaudible.
Post Edited (2017-04-28 23:42)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-04-29 17:31
I don't see it as an ethical issue. I don't see it being a problem for a non-profit to provide its volunteers with tools necessary to do their jobs, but it MAY open the door for every other musician to ask for costs, and could end up drying up the fund if they try to be fair and buy EVERYONEs reeds, mouthpieces, pay for repairs on their horns, etc.
I don't know your financial situation, but take a look at your expenditures and see how you can start budgeting saving for reeds in the future.
In the meantime, bum reeds off folks like people bum cigarettes, and when you DO save up enough $$$ for reeds, protect those babies well, and yes, I also agree that you should consider the more expensive, but MUCH longer lasting legere european reeds. I've got two of them that are going on about 8 months and they still play great and satisfy everything I need to play (I rotate through five total, the newest one being 4 months old)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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