 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David
Date: 2002-08-20 18:38
At the risk of reopening an hoary old chestnut of an "How much do you pay for gas?" topic, what was it?
Me, I'm shallow. The Music Dept at school was decorated with Boosey & Hawkes posters illustating each instrument and its compass.
The clarinet seemed to have the most notes this side of a piano, so it was in. Never regretted the choice for a second.
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-08-20 19:11
$1.47 per gallon for regular unleaded........when I was in early elementary school (1st or 2nd grade) a woodwind quintet came and played at my school...my dad was the horn player...and I loved the sound of the clarinet. Never wanted to play any other instrument besides piano which I was taking lessons on at the time. As an aside......the group was from the Cleveland Orchestra and I now wonder if the clarinettist was Marcellus? My dad can't remember because they constantly rotated personnel to go and do these school gigs. Anyway, this thread should reveal some interesting reading!
Jerry McD.
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Author: VK
Date: 2002-08-20 19:12
I grew up listening to my parents' old 78s, most of which were swing bands. All of that music was good, but Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw just absolutely knocked me out. I started clarinet in the fifth grade, hoping that I could do what they did someday. About 44 years later I'm still wishing and hoping.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-08-20 19:30
$1.27/gallon.
I liked the way it looked. All the beginners in my school got Signet 100s, and I though the case looked cool, too. Imagine my horror when my parents said they'd get me a horn from the pawn shop. Anyway, I got my Signet and the cool case. I only learned over time to love the clarinet for itself.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-08-20 19:42
1.189/Gallon [OK] I believe it was a combo [in 1929] of a $25 cl's availability with advice re: my overbite. Long ago! Don
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-08-20 21:42
My parents were searching for a trumpet for my brother as he was beginning band in the sixth grade. They must have gotten a good deal on my used Selmer Signet Special from a friend, because a year before I could even start playing it, I had it. I was really excited about it and opened the case often and looked at it and wondered what it was going to be like to play it. I thought it was so COOL.
And it still is!!!
Becky
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-08-20 22:04
When I was about 6 years old my parents sent me to piano lessons, but after a few months the teacher advised them that they were wasting his time and their money since I was, obviously, completely un-musical.
When I became 12 I heard a popular tune of the day and decided I'd like to be able to emulate it. Now it's not the ideal I aim for but I still have fond memories of it.
The tune?.............
Stranger on the Shore played by Acker Bilk
jez
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Author: Herb Huey
Date: 2002-08-20 22:43
$1.69/Gal for Premium
I was selected for music classes starting in 4th grade. I heard this sensational 5th grader (I even remember his name, Billy Sabin) demo his horn. Later on, Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw convinced me that I made the right chice just like it did for VK.
But I always wondered what would have happened if I chose trumpet instead. Just think no reeds to worry about!!
Herb
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-20 23:31
I don't drive (never will never have).
The clarinet - a teacher in "primary" school said something along the lines of "he's musical - let him play the clarinet".
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Author: David
Date: 2002-08-20 23:40
$4.50 - $6 per gallon.
The low range is for your Yankee gallons based on the English Beer Gallon, and the high is for the English Wine Gallon adopted as standard some time after that 1776 spat.
(For comparison in Bo 'n' Luke Dodge Hemi Units, they come in at 231 cu. in and 277 cu.in respectively.)
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2002-08-21 00:22
David,
I grew up in New Orleans, La. listening to Pete Fountain play his hot tunes. Also, to a lesser extent, I liked Acker Bilk and Billy Vaughn which inspired me. But Pete was the one !!
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Author: mike
Date: 2002-08-21 00:40
At the risk of being blackballed, I must admit to coming to the clarinet fairly late, having started out as a sax player. I had started sitting in with big bands and getting calls to sub, etc. One day I got the call with the added caveat, "You got a clarinet?" "No," I admitted. "That's too bad. The book has some clarinet." And that was that.
This had happened a few times when it dawned on me that no one actually asked if I PLAYED clarinet, only if I HAD one. So I got one. The rest, however rocky and tulmultuous, is history.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2002-08-21 00:45
Tried trombone and didn't like it. I liked the sound of a friend's clarinet.
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-08-21 00:47
When instruction was to be offered on band instruments, and a band started, for 7th and 8th graders in my Chicago elementary school, I wanted to join. My grandparents had in their attic (for some 10-12 years) the clarinet my uncle had played in high school and college. So that took care of instrument choice. (Fortunately, it was not wood, but hard rubber, and survived quite well its stay in the attic.) I was so eager to get hold of it after my grandmother confirmed by phone that it had been located in the attic that my mother and I traveled from the far West Side of Chicago (Austin) to the far South Side (West Pullman) on the El and Illinois Central, and back, in the middle of a snowstorm to fetch it.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-08-21 00:47
diz,
I wonder what the teacher's comment was that started you off on the viola...............
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-08-21 01:11
1.26/gallon (Yes, I buy gas.)
My goal was to know every instrument, and when I picked up the clarinet, I just got hooked.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 01:18
jez - ha, funny you should mention that. The (then) principal cellist in the Opera and Ballet Orchestra (in Sydney) said something along the lines of "Forget the clarinet, they're a dime a dozen and jobs here (Australia) are so rare that it's not worth even risking it - take up viola, they are in demand". So I did. My philosophy now is - play an instrument, by all means, but have more strings to your bow (no pun intended).
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-08-21 01:42
diz,
Dammit, I was hoping you'd say that another teacher had said "he's un-musical - let him play the viola"
Dives for cover........
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 01:47
jez - anyone who takes a crack at a viola player needs to move on. Some of the nicest and most musical people I ever met were the LSO's viola section - and boy, could they play. Once you get to that standard of perfection - jokes are meaningless, not to mention tedious.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-08-21 02:18
diz,
I'm sorry. I really didn't mean any offence and I hope none was taken. The culture of "viola jokes" is very strong where I work. I just couldn't resist.
Apologies
jez
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-08-21 02:38
$1.35/ US gal. diesel (for my VW Beetle TDI)
Inherited the oldest son's Vito. Sold that and inherited his Selmer 10G. The 10G is more clarinet than I can handle.
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-08-21 02:42
Mark,
Interesting comment: "The 10G is more clarinet than I can handle." Exactly what do you mean?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 02:47
Mark - Selmer's have and always will have a soft spot in my heart - I owned (sigh) a wonderful Series 9* - and then, like a complete knuckle head, sold it. One of the most upsetting things I've ever done.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-08-21 02:50
Marge wrote:
> Interesting comment: "The 10G is more clarinet than I can
> handle." Exactly what do you mean?
The instrument is capoable of sounding significantly better than I can play it. Kind of like a Porsche 911 - in capable hands it can do amazing things, in my hands it's gorgeous looking transportation.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-08-21 04:52
$1.27 on land, $1.75 for the boat.
Who, rather than what; My mother...
I wanted to learn violin as strings were a big deal in the school system (the elementary schools had orchestras, not bands.) Mom was afraid I'd be teased, and always loved a parade and therefore wanted me in marching band. I suspect she chose the clarinet as she was a Benny Goodman fan and had seen him in person several times on the old Steel Pier (we lived in Atlantic City.) She also was sweet on Pete Fountain and this was around the time he was on the Welk show. I also have wondered if someone had told her the relative costs of violin vs. clarinet.
In any event, for someone who never played or sang a note, she made a wonderful choice.
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Author: Maria
Date: 2002-08-21 04:52
1.06 euro/litre. Directors orders.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 04:56
Jim E wrote:
"sweet on Pete Fountain"
Hmm - wonderful player. Also, have you taken one of Leblanc's Pete Fountain clarinets for a test drive - they have a gorgeous sound. I wish I had the spare cash and I'd buy one.
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Author: Jim A
Date: 2002-08-21 06:12
$1.89 regular
My first year college roommate, for some reason, decided to visit the band director. He got an Eb horn. The director looked at me and said "you should play the clarinet." Been playing on and off since then.
Thank goodness I didn't have "horn" lips.
Jim
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 06:28
David - I actually re-read your initial posting - as often Chinese Wispers get the better of a damned fine thread in here ... and I had another laugh at the "Clarinet getting more notes" reference to the poster.
My school clarinet teacher used to hang up Yamaha posters for the different kinds of beasts - I used to look at the contras and have evil, lustful thoughts ... now that I'm an adult and have a income I might just forgo my next holiday/vacation and buy a contra instead.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-08-21 12:07
$.66 to $.71 per litre, Canadian
Being on the poor edge of financial stability but seeing musical potential, my parents went to a pawn shop when we lived in Colorado and bought a silver clarinet for my brother. It must not have cost more than a few bucks at the time, so long ago. (He has since sold it to buy his wife's diamond ring when they married. Not a bad investment!) During the years a trumpet, trombone, violin, flute and piano joined the family. Not being able to successfully play anything else except the piano and clarinet, the choice was made. The three of us kids jammed in the basement of that small house and eventually joined band at school. We never took lessons, just taught ourselves from the Rubank books and by harrassing each other (Why can't you play that right?, sibling stuff). Lessons waited for another 20 years.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-08-21 15:36
My parents had classical music on all the time. After an abortive start on piano in the 2nd grade, and ocarina and Flutofone along the way, I wanted to start on something in 7th grade. Friends of the family got a clarinet out of the attic for me to use. Unfortunately, it was at high pitch, but by then it was too late....
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2002-08-21 15:51
My parents alway took me, as a pre-schooler, to summer Wednesday night band concerts, where I would sometimes be allowed to sit next ot the bass drummer and play with his triangle--much to the dismay of the trombones (although I could "keep the beat" and play exactly in time with the BD--what was the big deal??) What always impressed me the most, however, was the flourish of notes always coming from the clarinets playing those circus marches, Barnum and Baileys, Circus Bee, Royal Hippodrome, Entrance of the Gladiators, Americans We, etc. That's where the action seemed to be and that's where I wanted to be.....someday. Well, "someday" finally arrived and I got my chance to learn the clarinet. And now, after all of these years, and reflecting on all that I have learned and experianced playing clarinet, I now think that "why I decided to play the clarinet" must have been a case of "temporary insanity" or brain damage caused by the bass drum.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-08-21 19:59
After living 12 years on a Sioux reservation in ND where I heard my brother try to play the baritone horn under an intoxicated director of a very small community band, I moved to Moorhead, MN where I started the Eb tuba in the high school band at age 14(1943). Since I was also employed as a truck loader at the Coca Cola Bottling Co. near some pawnshops, I bought a simple system clarinet for $7. The first low register sounds are still remembered and they were great. In a year, we had formed a German band and were playing?? at community affairs. What fun!!
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2002-08-21 21:50
I can't say how much I pay for gas because British Gas bills are unintelligible. (They explain the bill using three conversion factors, life's too short...)
I pay about 75p per litre for unleaded petrol.
Oh, clarinet. Sorry. First heard the Mozart concerto live, with Brymer, in 1965 or 66. Took up the clarinet in 2001. Why hurry?
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Author: Bruce Paproski
Date: 2002-08-21 23:37
I began playing the clarinet after a few years of playing my children's recorders. I am now taking lessons and find my play invigorating...I must admit being 43 is a neat time to be learning a musical instrument. I take my lessons seriously and practice daily. At this stage in my life I find having a teacher less ego jarring than in my youth.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-08-21 23:45
$1.39 to $1.45. I think I have answered this before. My brother, "the serious musician", got the Bassoon. Bob A
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Author: Donn
Date: 2002-08-22 01:46
Always loved the sound of the clarinet. Was a fairly decent trumpet player, but lost all my teeth, so took up the clarinet. Now play for my own amusement (and sometimes other peoples')on a Pete Fountain LeBlanc. Love it!
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-22 01:56
So your bark is worse than your bite, Donn?
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-08-22 02:43
Gas is $1.37, Texarkana USA
Saw the movie Mr. Holland's Opus, heard the red headed girl trying to play Stranger on the Shore. Thought to myself, I bet I could do that. Bought a clarinet and a song book that had that song in it. Learned it in two days. Not real good, but not too bad for not having touched a clarinet in over 40 yrs. I was able to go from the c to f the first try though. I was hooked.
So am now taking lessons, and an try to practice for at least 2 hours a night. Some day I would like to play in the new community band that is starting here. But mostly I just enjoy the sound of the clarinet, and love the music.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-22 03:10
Jim - that's impressive! Did you remember anything (basic fingerings)? I was impressed at just how much I remembered, the altissimo register is still a vexing point ... but diligence will prevail and I'll master it (again) before I cark-it.
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Author: Andy
Date: 2002-08-22 07:52
A Aussie TV show called "Hey Hey its Saturday" featured a sax player who as a nine year old thought was pretty cool. Asked mum if I could play the sax, got told by my first teacher that my hands were still too small for the sax so I started on clarinet. It has stuck ever since...
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-08-22 12:20
I always wanted to play the clarinet, and I inherited my mother's silver clarinet which I still have. I took first chair in the elementary school band. I played through school and college and semi-pro after that. All that in 37 years. It is the longest and best discipline that I've had. I think that I will always have something to learn about the clarinet!
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-08-23 00:14
diz....
I sure hope I did not come across as some kind of musical genius. <G>
I did not remember hardly any of the fingerings. I was able to play a few scales without too much problem. But did forget most of what fingers went with what note. I found a fingering chart here on woodwind.org. and practiced with that. Funny how I can remember some things from way back, but have a tendency to forget what I did yesterday.
I seem to have always had a feeling for music, but have not applied myself for a long time. But like playing that song, I just made up my mind that I could do it. Again, it did not sound like the way Mr. Bilk played it, but I was pleased with myself. It triggered a spark, that set me on my way to learn to play the clarinet. (again)
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Author: DougR
Date: 2002-08-23 03:59
Well, it was 1955...and Elvis was sweeping the country. Young greasy-haired thugs with attitude, pegged pants, motorcycles, motorcycle boots, cocksure irreverence, guitars, and ... they always got the girls. Naturally, I wanted to be one of them, but all I could afford was the Brylcreem and the occasional movie (The Wild One, Rebel Without a Cause, Jailhouse Rock...)and anyway, I was twelve. But then I saw Rock Around the Clock, another one of those "Teen Movies," with Bill Haley & the Comets. They were groovy, and I wanted to be, and the heppest thing in the movie was Bill Haley's sax player, who was playing a huge silver baritone sax. That was my moment of epiphany. What an awesome piece of plumbing!! What rockin solos!! What a wonderful way to get people to think you're hep & happenin!! I had to have one!! I begged! I wheedled! My parents left it up to the school band director. She, quite correctly, pointed out (in the prim, insufferable manner of one who's right most of the time) that it would be better to learn clarinet first. NOOO!!! Howls of disappointment from the ranks of greasy-haired thugs who beckoned to me across the chasm of parental disapproval!! It was not to be!! Instead, it was a metal Holton Collegiate clarinet and a whole suite of three-note ditties like "Long, Long Ago" and "Row, Row your Boat". Which, I was disappointed to discover, were far beyond my beginner capabilities.
No honkin sax solos for me then or since. Oh, okay, I have to admit playing the Beethoven 9 and the Brahms 4 are...kinda nice. Maybe one day I'll wear a motorcycle jacket to symphony rehearsal, get the best of both worlds. Try to be at least a TINY bit ... hep.
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