Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?
Yes, my Clarinet!
I played a clarinet from an early age, around ten I think. In the sixties they were still cool and popular. I played in every sort of band possible except rock bands, they never really fitted in there. My first clarinet was a Boosey and Hawkes Regent. A bulletproof student model, but my second and allegedly better instrument was a wooden or Grenadilla one.
This second clarinet was bought for me when it was obvious that music was going to be a big part of my life. I was rubbish at sports, still am, not that I bother much except for cycling now.
So this second-hand Orsi clarinet took over. Not the finest example to be produced, but before me it had graced the smoky stages of many jazz clubs around London, having been played in Chris Barbers Jazz Band. This pedigree was verified every time I played it. How? Well, if you know anything about blowing instruments, you will know they produce condensation. It’s not saliva, it’s the moisture from your breath condensing on the bore of the relatively colder instrument.The condensation naturally drips out of the end, or bell—clear water, not spit. Mine wasn’t clear, it was brown. Mine was nicotine from all the clubs and pubs of the previous twenty odd years this poor instrument had played in. Closer inspection showed all the pads were stained like a smokers fingers, as was the inside. It was disgusting, but I played it as it was the only one I had.
I still have this remarkable instrument. I keep threatening to restore it but never have. It’s the only thing I possess from my youth and I was very proud of my ability to coax some decent sounds out of it, despite its condition and doubling as an early vape.
It got replaced by a more playable pro model eventually but not until it had taken me through all my exams and the start of my playing career. I still look in the case every few years when nostalgia hits me. It’s looking tired and worn, like me, but, oh! The memories!
Omg the Orsi