335th Reflection💬

“A layman, how to get towards the door to the professional❓”

When the Lord shows me a step, take it.

……

18/07/2024 (Thu) 1500 WhatsApp

I was in a discussion with a clarinetist I worked with before.

I said, “My clarinet doesn’t work well.”

Clarinetist said, “Which part?”

I said, “G# and Bb sound weird.”

Clarinetist said, “They lie in the throat tone area. It’s hard to sustain a good tone quality if playing a successive series of notes in a fast tempo.”

I said, “But even when I play only the note slowly, it still sounds weird.”

Clarinetist said, “It’s either because you can’t sustain your airflow or there’s some problem with your clarinet.”

I said, “Let me show you in a video recording.”

Clarinetist said, “Alright.”

I took a video recording my playing of G# and Bb.

I said, “Take a look.”

Clarinetist said, “I can’t see which problem it is.”

I said, “Well, let……”

Clarinetist said, “Let me visit you in your studio and check your clarinet.”

I said, “No, it is my clarinet that doesn’t sound well. Why is it you that is coming over?”

Clarinetist said, “I’m dining with my friend at 6 p.m. in Kwun Tong. I’m coming around your studio anyway.”

I said, “Thank you then.”

......

20/07/2024 (Sat) 1500 Band Room

Clarinetist said, “There are a lot of problems with your clarinet.”

I said, “What problems?”

Clarinetist said, “The pads are dissolved, some keys are dispositioned and some loosened, and the cork tube is eroded.”

I said, “Still repairable?”

Clarinetist said, “Yes.”

I said, “How much?”

Clarinetist said, “It can’t be confirmed until a detailed check by a clarinet technician. But it won’t be cheap.”

I said, “How much, you guess?”

Clarinetist said, “At least $2,000.”

I said, “Wow, the gift from my friend costs around $6,000 only.”

Clarinetist said, “But it looks old and has undergone no maintenance at all.” 

I said, “How to maintain?”

Clarinetist said, “Show you later. Are you playing clarinet just for fun?”

I said, “No, I want at least a pass in the ABRSM Grade 8.”

Clarinetist said, “Buy another one then.”

I said, “I think so.”

Clarinetist said, “Test it before you pay?”

I said, “What? How to test?”

Clarinetist said, “Let’s have a trial test in Tom Lee in Tsim Sha Tsui. Get one if you find one that suits you.”

I said, “Great. I’m leaving HKAPA at 12pm next Tuesday. But you must be working at the time…”

Clarinetist said, “Let’s meet at 12pm next Tuesday at HKAPA.”

I said, “You can make it?”

Clarinetist said, “I’ve my own business. My schedule is flexible. I want a tour around HKAPA.”

I said, “Great. Then, let’s meet at 12pm at HKAPA. Let me take you around and head off to Tom Lee for a clarinet test.”

……

Another me said, “Can you be a little less incapable?”

I said, “Who are you talking about?”

Another me said, “You, can you hear? You said you’re a composer. But you’re fooled by even a clarinet. You’re after all nothing more than a layman, who knows very little about music.”

I said, “I know I’m a layman. That’s why I’m my instrumentalist to show way the way.”

Another me said, “How thick-skinned you are.”

I said, “Thank you.”

Another me said, “I’m not praising you. Who would work with such a weak composer?”

I said, “It seems to me that you are now the only one that looks down on me.”

Another me said, “Even if he can take such a layman as you are, how would he be willing to come over and check your clarinet?”

I said, “He said he’s coming by my studio. Did he hear it?”

Another me said, “Why did he come by your studio?”

I said, “I’ve got no answers, haven’t I?”

Another me said, “Suppose it is a coincidence to come by, is it another coincidence to be able to spare time from his own business for checking your clarinet?”

I said, “Do you think I can help him set up his own business, as an employee who can barely manage himself?

Another me said, “What a layman! So many coincidences. Are you fooling me?”

I said, “You want to know the reason, don’t you?”

Another me said, “Yes.”

I said, “Call my instrumentalist.”

Another me said, “No, I don’t know him.”

I said, “Ask the Lord in prayers.”

Another me said, “No, I don’t trust Him.”

I said, “You’ll never know why how a layman like me can get towards the door of the professional’s”

Another me said, “Why?”

I said, “You neither ask anyone nor trust the Lord. You’re shy and skeptical. Whether the Lord guides you through His ambassador or even He Himself shows you the way, will you follow?”