The TYRO Story

A Master Clarinetist Shares His Dream
 

For many years, I was troubled by the lack of quality instruments for young beginning players. “Good enough” was the answer for their struggles on clarinets that did not help in their efforts to progress. I sought answers from manufacturers both here and abroad, without interest from anyone. 

In the course of my teaching at the University of Southern California, I taught two very talented and dedicated young men from China, Zeng Ming-Liao and Tie Bai. One day they told me that they had contact with an instrument maker in Bejing and that they would like me to try the instrument that they were making. I agreed, and, after a couple of years, we succeeded in developing a remarkably good clarinet with precise intonation; a full, dark sound; and a free-blowing quality.

Only then they asked me to put my name on the instrument, which I was very happy to do, calling it TYRO by Mitchell Lurie. 

Why the name "TYRO?" It literally means “a beginner in learning; a novice.” And, this is exactly for whom the instrument was created!

Thank you, Zeng Ming and Tie Bai, for your dedication to the future “tyros” and to me and my dream for them. It could not have been done without you.

Emeritus Professor of Clarinet                  

University of Southern California