Author: William
Date: 2002-02-19 14:51
Once again, to quote the late, great, Duke Ellington, "If it sounds good, it is good." It doesn't matter wheither it is Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet, LeBlanc, Rossi, or Pedler, the sound of the clarinet belongs to the player and his own musical aptitude and skill, rather than the particular clarinet he/she happens to be playing with. If I took Larry Comb's clarinet right out of his mouth and started playing it, I would still sound like me, not Him. I suspect the same would also be true for our beloved Anker Bilk. Two pianists playing upon the same Steinway grand will each retain their individual sounds--likewise for a duo of violinists each performing on the same Stradivaius--each will have their own "sound." I know this to be a fact as I have heard a Strad being placed in the hands of an 8th grade violinist at a summer camp that I taught at. The student still sounded like she was playing her own violin--and the teacher made the students violin sound like the Strad. Bottom line: It is quite an inaccurate, snobbish and unrealistic practice to prejudge a clarinetist's ability by the instrument case they carry rather than by the music they play. Any clarinet in the hands of a good player, will sound good, And a "good" clarinet only makes it easier for the "good" clarinetist to sound good--not neccesarily gooder. Duke knew that!!Good Clarineting, Everyone--on the instruments of your choice!!!!
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