Clarinet Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“Clarinet n. An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments worse than a clarinet – two clarinets.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Devil’s Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce, 1906
The clarinet is mockingly described as a torture device, emphasizing its perceived unpleasant sound.
In simple terms: Clarinet sounds unpleasant, like torture.
Key Takeaway
Accept diverse musical tastes.
Themes
music
critique
humor
Mood
reflective
wry
Type
critical
humorous
When to use this quote
- instrument selection
- concert reviews
- personal preference
Key Concepts
aesthetic judgment
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some instruments evoke strong reactions?
- How does cultural context shape musical taste?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone shares this view of the clarinet.
![“[I wanted] to play the clarinet well so I could be in Duke Ellington's band, but that's now impossible.” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dcd/nat-hentoff-1615_band_i-wanted-to-play-the-clarinet-well-so-i_426522.jpg)
![“I had a great year with Bob Mintzer [at Laguardia School of Arts]. Bob is great. We could have just brought the clarinet or dealt with classical stuff, or brought the flute or just dealt with comp and arranging... what a great teacher.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3b9/jon-gordon-1655_arranging_i-had-a-great-year-with-bob-mintzer-at-l_493182.jpg)