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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000016.txt from 2003/05
From: David Lurie <david.lurie@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] opening throat with harder reed
Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 12:11:45 -0400
At 05:35 PM 5/1/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>Mr. Lurie suggests that using a harder reed will force one to keep an "open
>throat". He also suggests that a softer reed will allow one to produce a
>throat vibrato. This puzzles me because one of my former teachers, Whitney
>Tustin , told me he used a throat vibrato.
I remember Whitney Tustin, whom I met many years ago, although I never
observed him up close. Very possibly he used a throat vibrato. But if you
want to discuss the desirability - or lack thereof - of using a throat
vibrato, that is an entirely different subject. My objections to it are
that it is extremely difficult to control, and is very shallow. Hard to
control either the speed or the amplitude of it. The sound is objectionable
to my tastes, and most of the time (but not all) the expression "nanny goat
vibrato" applies, meaning that it's too fast and has a fibrillating quality
that I find (my personal taste, of course) quite annoying.
> In regard to hardness, he
>played reeds that someone once described as "two popsicle sticks tied
>together"...so much for one theory.
I have also heard that same expression used to describe Harold Gomberg's
reeds, which were certainly much more resistant than Whitney Tustin's. But
look at the enormous difference in tone quality between these 2 gentlemen's
playing. I have played on Gomberg-style reeds, which are probably about
almost as far as you can go in that direction. While they are quite
resistant, they are far from popsicle sticks. I found them quite playable.
So a lot depends on what you are used to and what you can handle.
> Another teacher instructed me in the
>popular diaphragm vibrato and yet a third in his favorite which was done with
>lips. All advocated the "open throat". Not surprisingly I spent years in
>confusion over vibrato and reed strength. Somehow I have worked out a
>compromise that works for me. Since all three earned their living as
>highly regarded professionals I will not argue with any point of view.
Vibrato and reed resistance of course are 2 entirely different things. I'm
glad you found a way to balance them.
David Lurie
