 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary
Date: 2002-10-05 19:33
I have been visiting this group for years now. I think that I can safely say that this BB has declined from a place where a person could ask intelligent questions and expect informed and informative answers, to a forum of petty bickering filled with half-cocked opinion, and answers by pseudo-intellectuals. More and more these days the responses that used to be answered by professions, or at least skilled amateurs and other with years of experience (pro, amateur, or otherwise), are being answered by people who offer only opinion, and often that opinion is offered as lore!
Please do not misconstrue my previous statements as "amateur-bashing" or "professional-worship," that is not my intent. I am simply stating that I am unable to wade through all of the BS on this BB to find the valuable advice that was once here.
This BB was at one time a valuable resource for me and my students, alike. And I am convinced it can once again be. I am sure all it would take is for people to THINK before they post; don't bother to waste your time and the time of everyone else by responding when you're angry. I feel the perfect example of this is:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=91389&t=91389
(this is the diatribe about the "Mouthpiece Nazi") I found this to be an absolute waste of energy by both the original poster, the responders, and everyone on the planet the devoted time to read it!
Now I know that my not using the BB with not change the Universe: the sun will still rise tomorrow morning, oceans will not go dry, nor will the moon be knocked from its orbit. I am simply a clarinetist who, in my opinion, has witnessed the degradation of something valuable.
Best of luck to all of you,
Gary
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-10-05 22:19
..... i agree with you about the "mouthpiece nazi" posting, i went to the bother of reading it, i didn't find it very "edifying", i went to the bother of writing a short posting that was nothing to do with the clarinet, it just annoyed me, in the end i felt sort of glad that i'd read it though as it was good to read some of the thoughtful postings that had been written re the use of the word Nazi (something that, like casual use of "facist", i dislike), someone somewhere made a good point that the original poster had been lucky to get a refund on a mouthpiece customised to his/her specifications.
but it was largely a waste of time and energy as far as "clarinet-land" was concerned. then again, no one forced me to read it (or add a posting).
.... i have made the same desicion as Gary a couple of times already, but then end up looking up the BB as it's on my netscape preferences- a hell of a lot of it seems to be of no use or relevance to me (but might be to someone else), i just skim through to look for something interesting, and quite often find something.
donald
(ps, i hope that no one takes exception to my use of the word "hell")
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-10-05 22:43
tHE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS TO HAVE ALL OF IT EDITED.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-10-05 23:47
If i felt like you -----I would never read another newspaper, watch the news on TV or listen to talk radio.
I believe you have to pick and choose what you are interested in. I look at the subject and who is doing the posting. You just can't get involved with every item posted here.
Long live Sneezy.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-10-06 02:23
I think, Gary, you're vying for just as much attention as the Mpc Nazi post. Don't tell us all about it, just stop posting. I find it fascinating you were compelled to tell us all about it. As I said in the Nazi post, just don't let it get to you. I posted in there long ago, there have since been somewhat 20 replies, but do I go back? No, I leave it all there for someone ELSE to argue about while I surf the board for something more meaningful. Perhaps you should try and do same.
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Author: RonD
Date: 2002-10-06 03:40
Have you thought about posting a list of clarinet related subjects that you think are worth discussing? I am sure that everyone that uses this board would welcome a list of subjects that they can feel safe in discussing.
If anyone violates your preferences the rest of the board can then heap abuse on them and chastize them severely for having the nerve to discuss a subject you did not personally approve of.
Of course you can alway defer to the AOL chat rooms and start a chat that only discusses the subjects you approve of.That should be interesting.
I am sure that we all have a great deal to learn from you since you seem to want to be the final arbiter of what other people can discuss.
Or perhaps you can just skip over the subjects you dislike and allow the rest of us to continue on the race to perdition.
Once again GOOD LUCK you are sure to need it
Ron D
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-10-06 03:41
Just look at the John Moses posting below for a justification for continuing to read and cherish this BB.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-10-06 04:21
Hi Gary:
I'm fairly new to this BB, and I don't do any other BBs.
That said, I believe this Forum for clarinetists is a good one.
1. I feel I can help many younger players with my years of playing and teaching.
2. I can learn a lot from the younger players about their new finds.
3. I can pick and choose, and hopefully avoid some of the silliness you alude to.
4. I can fall asleep at night knowing I have done a little to pay back all those wonderful "older" players who helped me so much.
5. The list goes on, but I want to thank Mark for his great efforts to keep this valuable tool alive for all of us, young and old.
Gary, stick around, it can be fun again!
JJM
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2002-10-06 05:57
I very seldom post here anymore, for similar reasons and probably should not have posted to a recent discussion which turned pretty ugly.
Be that as it may, I still find the BB very valuable for an occasional clarinet question and skim the current questions for info. Also, other boards seem to have similar problems, people who are not supportive or fight like so many middle schoolers or have vendettas.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-10-06 14:40
I find myself picking the topics I want to read and/or reply to as well. It doesn't bother me that much. I read and/or post to maybe 10% to 20% of the topics. This way I don't get bothered by the rest of the threads. Thanks to Mark for keeping an excellent site.
jbutler
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-06 16:26
Gary--I read your posting last evening and would like to note this AM that your were correct. When I arose and looked out my window, the sun had indeed risen as you suggested it would. And isn't it wonderful that it shines on all of us, equally--unless those darn clouds get in the way. But then, if it were not for the clouds and the rains that follow, nothing would grow in that sunlight alone. And without the occassinal weed, even the prettiest flower would be diminished.
Cultivate your own garden and pick what grows best for you, but please do not "plow it all under" because of some little crabgrass amoung the arundo donax.
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Author: RA
Date: 2002-10-07 01:36
Gary,
I believe that every post I have read of yours has offered me insight and advice much needed for a person such as myself. This BB cannot deal without you and I think that your decision to leave is definately yours but I also do believe that like someone mentioned earlier pick the topic that you want to read. There are some uninteligent answers lurking about this place but for the most part, I find it useful.
RA
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-10-07 02:34
Everyone,
Just cool down. Sometimes leaving for a while <b>is</b> just the best thing to do.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2002-10-07 02:55
Gary
The problem is you have been reading postings about mouthpieces instead of metal clarinets. Mouthpieces all look the same unless they are really really old. Every one that I have seen was a single piece. They have a nice round hole at one end a long square one at the other. That's about all you need to know. Now metal clarinets, first of all, they don't shatter when you drop them. Also, you can shine them up. If worst comes to worst, you can make a lamp. (Just don't mention it on the list. Some of us are sensitive about that subject.) Try to make a lamp out of a mouthpiece. Maybe a little reading light or maybe a classy little keychain light -- I guess it could hold a battery, but a table lamp -- no way.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-10-07 13:29
But Jim . . . metal clarinets (like some readers) get bent out of shape easily. You then must decide whether to straighten it out . . . or hang it up.
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