[Dixielandjazz] the trombone as an orthodontic tool

[Ministry of Jazz]

Amazing, Jim!

I have a very similar story. Also age 9, I wanted to learn to play the
clarinet. I can't remember why, or if there was influence of any particular
player. Goodman was still on TV now and then in those days. But of course
that's when they made all the movies about him, the Dorseys, Glen Miller,
etc. I had nobody in the family or any friends on other instruments. But for
whatever reason, I wanted clarinet.

Before taking me to sign up for school band and lessons, my Mom brought me
to the orthodontist. I don't recall if she knew to ask if it mattered which
instrument, or maybe the questions was whether I could play at all while I
had braces. But the answer was that I needed a brass instrument, and
clarinet was out.

In another twist of fate, my elementary school band had plenty of reeds, but
all 4 bone players were in 6th grade, about to graduate, and no one coming
up through the ranks. So the band director offered me free rental and
lessons on trombone and that sealed my fate. That was in 1962. and the rest
is history...

By the way, now that I also play trumpet, I can say with authority from
personal experience that trombone players definitely have more fun.

Elazar
Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
Jerusalem, Israel
www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
+972-2-679-2537


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kashishian [mailto:jim at kashprod.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 4:40 PM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] the trombone as an orthodontic tool


That's actually why I am playing today, Ted.  My grandmother decided that an
instrument could help push my really bad buck teeth problem when I was about
9 yrs old.