Well I had so much fun playing my saxophone in West Side Story, that I went out and bought a clarinet. I realized that if I wanted to do more shows like this, it was going to be necessary to expand my instrument repertoire. Sure, the tenor saxophone is great, but it doesn’t always get the best or most parts in musicals. Clarinet, though, that’s everywhere. And I sorta know how to play it. My senior year of high school I embarked on a quest to learn new instruments and the result was that I could proficiently play the clarinet, and I could make myself want to pass out by blowing at a flute.
The other problem with the tenor sax is that, while great, you are pretty much limited to jazz or military/concert band type settings. Which is fine, but if you want to play original classical music, written specifically for that instrument, you are pretty limited. Now, I’m not saying that I want to go out and be the next world famous classical clarinetist (first?), but it is nice knowing that if I wanted to, I could find an etude or something that is original to the instrument.
So I went on ebay and found a clarinet. And I’m pretty happy, because I got a wood one. And I only paid $120! So maybe it is complete crap. It certainly isn’t going to be the $4000 clarinet that I played in high school. But at least it isn’t some plastic starter model.
Anyway, it is supposed to get here tomorrow, and I’m very excited. I’ll be sure to let everyone know how it is.
One Comment
I would really lilke for you to look into the UMSL jazz band. Jamie really thought you were good on the sax. Of course, your grandmother thinks everything you do is wonderful.