A Sorcerer's Guide to Clarinetology

[Windsong]

I am not one to get overly personal as a general rule, but I thought it prudent to point out that it has been nearly 8 years since one of our evermost prominent forum contributors abruptly vanished; a contributor who I always took to have a keen eye and an individual with a tremendous amount of knowledge about a multitude of disciplines; a Renaissance Man.

To be fair, I have been deeply motivated by my interactions with the regulars here too, and others whose presence has faded (AndyBeals, BLMonopole, Tinker73, Kewald, Dibbs, Rezzie, bbrandha, gkern, Airflyte, Modernicus, Dave LeBlanc, Lisa, etc.).  I will always appreciate the impact their contributions had on further developing my passion.

David Powell's efforts sparked a large resurgence in classic clarinet participation and education here, and rarely has one person's enthusiasm been so contagious and motivating.  He was truly a remarkable fellow.


Since another passion of mine is poetry, I beg you'll indulge me:

'Sorcerer,  where art thou now? Art thou beyond the grave?

Have you now lost your passion for
that which you urged us save?

Or have the times and tides erased that which you felt so moved,

To contemplate and elevate,
in such rare form and hue.

No matter friend, t'was not the end,
when you did not return. 

You sparked a flame with molten blooms,
forever shall it burn.'

[Airflyte]

Greetings, Windsong.

It may be that old school forums take a back seat to more modern forms of online clarinet communities. Facebook, Reddit and such.

Near instantaneous interaction is the key element.

This is place is still cozy though.

[Windsong]

Oh indeed, but there is nothing like a cozy nook, as you say.

[ghostler]

Moving from Sorcery to Logos, 😄 our Clarinet Perfection archive on The Woodwind Forum will also be no more in about 2 weeks as TWF fades away.

I looked back at older threads, it too was very active 20 years ago. A few faithful knowledgeable ones passed away too leaving various voids. About a year ago I was grateful that Jim Glass, an admin made me a mod. My tenure is shortlived.

In the community band we are short on clarinets. Through careful scouring of on-line auctions, have accumulated a half dozen used in good condition. Thought maybe that with any repairs needed to restore service, may help our bandleader, Steve to recruit upcoming mid and high school clarinetists to join us.

Perhaps? "This clarinet is yours if you agree to play with us for a year, 2 years, etc." Also could be an incentive to an adult former school player, who doesn't readily have the finances to purchase.

Except for one, a Millbrook in like new condition, these are all brand name clarinets. Was surprised to buy a Selmer CL1400, CL300, Buffet Evette Prodigy's, etc. in clean condition with cases for under $100.

Recently birthday gifted a friend's son entering junior high this Fall an Antigua Winds plastic with nickel plated keys in lightly used condition. Took it out for a spin, would be a nice jazz clarinet.

The clarinet has a certain amount of magic to it. About 10 years ago I brought my Venus plastic Eb sopranino clarinet and netbook with Hal Leonard and Jamey Aebersold Jazz Play Along backing tracks ripped to it and a couple of their books (in C, Bb, Eb and Bass) with me to a motorcycle rally in Ruidoso, NM. (Bought that clarinet from a California eBay vendor for under $100, case fits easily in a motorcycle trunk.)

Connected my netbook to the motel's LCD TV aux. input and used the TV as my backing band. Spend an hour here and there during free moments. It's intonation wasn't the greatest but I was able to play it fully in tune.