![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/clarinet-practice-004.jpg)
This clarinet has been in my life a little over a year now. My dear sister-in-law Anna has loaned it to me; she bought it for her daughter who left it behind when she went to college. How kind and generous of them both!
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/clarinet-christmas-music-011.jpg)
I had no musical training; as a child I had chosen dance classes. With a bum knee and the heartbreak of losing my best ever dance partner I decided I wanted to try music. Once the clarinet came to me, I found a teacher, practised and have reaped many benefits
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/clarinet-christmas-music-012.jpg)
Regular practise created order in my traumatized, newly widowed life. I had to practise mindfulness, I focused, I tried something new. And I saw progress here when there felt like little progress in most of the other areas of my life. And I could laugh at myself again in a kind and loving way
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/clarinet-practice-006.jpg)
But as with all things, a problem arose. A small lever, called the back octave key, was sticking. I had a trip planned to the cities and asked my teacher for a suggestion for place to repair and how long was wait, etc. She suggested I bring it over to her house and she’d take a look at it. She has taken apart and fixed many clarinets.
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/clarinet-practice-001.jpg)
But the screw that needed loosening was frozen – corroded, rusted in place. So I had to take it to a repair person, and I opted for the one an hour away in River Falls.
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/clarinet-loaner-001.jpg)
Pam, my teacher offered me a loan! So this clarinet of hers is a real step up for me; it’s a professional. I learned on a beautiful good quality student clarinet. This reminds me of growing up driving my parents’ Karmann Ghia and Saab 96, two wonderful cars. I had to adjust to the variance in gear ratios as I shifted the manual transmission
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/clarinet-loaner-011.jpg)
This clarinet was more like driving a Maserati or Lamborghini – a high performance vehicle that is responsive and has beautiful, mellow, rich tone – when I actually hit a note – the fingering is quite different from what I am used to playing! I can’t imagine owning a wooden clarinet in my non-climate controlled house. But it is a delight to have the opportunity to play one
![](https://kepperspottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/clarinet-music-001.jpg)
My (well, Anna’s) clarinet is in quarantine for three days and then someone will look at it, call me with an estimate and get an OK for repairs. In the meantime, I am most grateful to be able to keep playing. I have become a clarinet junkie in just over a year. Thank you, Pam, for the chance to continue practise and play such a beautiful instrument
Judy I had to laugh when I read the comment about the Karmann Ghia and Saab 96. I used to carpool with your Dad up route 128 back in the early 1970’s when we worked up in Bedford and I rode in both of those cars. As I recall the Karmann was yellow, the Saab was a military green as I best could describe it. I think the Saab had a 4 speed on the column. All the while your father trying to educate me on planning my career path. At the time it used to annoy me. I was 22, just out of college, this was my first professional job and I was being bombarded with advice. In retrospect I did learn a lot from him and only appreciated it more when I had to reinvent myself many times throughout my career. Fond memories from what seems a lifetime ago as I turn 70 this month.
Ken, Good to hear from you. Yes, the Karmann Ghia was bright yellow. There were three Saabs: two dark forest green and one in the middle was light blue. I laughed at your comment as I, too, as the daughter, was often the recipient of one of those no escape advice sessions. Most were helpful; all were well intended. Now we are the ones with life experiences and the desire to help people avoid our mistakes! As I tell the recipients of my advice, “There are plenty of other mistakes to make; you don’t have to repeat mine!” And happy birthday, Ken. My parents love hearing from you. Thanks for keeping in touch with them