[TPIN] Monette/Polarization/Criticism

[Bryan Edgett]

It seems to me that it is very diffiult to evaluate objectively at 
any time. This is perhaps Post-modernism's greates contribution. 
Modern philosophy told us that we actually could evaluate the world 
objectively. Post-modern philosophy showed us that we all evaluate 
the world through some kind of grid or lens Each of us has multiple 
grids and lenses. It is very difficult to look AT our lenses rather 
than simply THROUGH them.

I admire Al for his willingness to share his connection with Dave 
Monette that includes, but goes beyond, the trumpet. many of us whose 
spouses also are musicians face this kind of issue.

A group with which I play solo and principal cornet recently needed a 
horn player as our hornist left the group. The leader called me as he 
often does when making personnel decisions. He asked me whom I would 
recommend for the position. My wife is a good horn player. But I know 
several who play better than what she does. How would I respond?

I told the leader exactly that. My wife plays well. I know some who 
are better. But if he was asking me whom I wanted to hold the chair, 
I'd choose my wife. I told him that I'd continue to play either way. 
He opted to hire my wife.

I am not objective when it comes to my wife. She is my favorite 
person. But I must be honest enough not to let my love for her become 
confused with musical evaluation. That is VERY hard. And my wife is 
very easy to get along with. If she weren't chosen, she would have 
understood and would not have been mad at me for not doing more to 
get her on the gig.

On the other hand, if I felt that someone, or a group of someones, 
were going off on my wife, I'd probably pop a gasket. If someone 
attacked her musicianship, (as opposed to politely discussing a point 
of view) the fact that she's my wife probably would outweigh any 
truth in their criticism. My perception of their posture toward her 
probably would make the difference in how I would respond.

I'm glad to hear a story such as that which Al told. It does help us 
to see a side of Dave that most of us who have met him do not 
normally see. I also understand and respect views that support 
different models of sound than that which Dave espouses. Personally, 
in a (for lack of a better term) classical context, I like more 
brilliance to the sound than what I have heard from anyone playing 
one of Dave's horns. Were I a jazz soloist, I might think 
differently. I think that Wynton's horn serves him very well.

In one of the quintets with which I play, the other trumpeter plays 
one of Dave's horns. When I play first, it works well. When I play 
second, I have to go to a larger mouthpiece to take enough of the 
brilliance off of my sound to sound appropriately supportive.

I know several players who play Dave's horns who play better, some 
substantially, than what I do. My mind may be more closed than what 
it ought to be to Monette horns and their suitability for me. I do 
know that I would have to be 100+% in love with his instruments to be 
willing to spend the price he gets for them. I'm not arguing that he 
overcharges; I'm just saying that the price is too much for me.

I have my lenses and grids and I'm sharing some of them here with all of you.

Cordially,

Bryan Edgett