A Quasi-Freudian Rhapsody on the Clarinet as Ambassador of Diversity and Gender Relations

(Written several years ago.)

A standard Bb clarinet consists of a set of pieces that come together in this way: The mouthpiece attaches to the barrel, which attaches to the upper joint, which connects with the lower joint, which is capped by the bell. The connections all occur as one end of one piece fits inside one end of another piece. Or, from another perspective, it's some pieces engulfing others. The connecting parts of the pieces are designated male or female, according to conventional observation of whether they go, respectively (and respectfully), inside or outside.

There is a very strong message of diversity, collaboration and tolerance in the 'gender' of the clarinet and its parts. For instance, the assembled instrument as a whole is both male (phallic) but also female (concave at the bell and in the inner chamber). It also seems particularly more male at the mouthpiece end and more female at the other (bell) end. The range of notes one can play on the instrument extends from the bass (male) range well into, even beyond, the soprano (female) range.

If we consider again the 'genders' of the connecting portions of each part of the clarinet, then the community of the clarinet's parts includes a single male (the mouthpiece), a female (the bell), a female-female couple (the barrel), a male-male couple (the lower joint), and a male-female couple (the upper joint). These correspond to all the gender-combinations of individuals and couples in our diverse society. Another way to think of it is that the clarinet parts represent our 'atoms' and 'fundamental molecules' of gender-relations.

Only when we integrate all of these clarinet-pieces to make the assembled clarinet, do we achieve the glorious musical potential that the instrument offers. If we omit any of the parts, then the clarinet does not function well at all! This suggests to me that as we engage in our communities, we need to honor, cherish, and make use of the diverse, vital interconnections and contributions that arise from the interplay of individuals and couples of diverse gender (and other) energies.

In the cosmic symphony of creation, let us all play our parts as individuals, couples, families and communities, recognizing and respecting the essential need for some folks to play similar parts and others to play different but equally important parts.