Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 1994/02

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Jim Langdell's inquiry on vibrato
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 09:54:52 -0500

Jim Langdell inquired for further info. on the bassoonist who
did a research paper (and film in X-ray) on the source of his
vibrato.

Jim, that person is Chris Weait, formerly principle bassoon in
the Toronto Symphony and now professor of bassoon at Ohio State
Univ. in Columbus. If you will drop him a note (or contact him
on the net [cweait@-----.edu]) he should be able
to either send you the paper his did or point out where it was
published. The paper had xray still photos taken from his motion
picture to show the source of his vibrato.

I wanted to add one thing to your interesting comments on vibrato.
You made reference to several sources for clarinet vibrato: lip,
jaw, diaphraghm). I don't think that there is sufficient
evidence to allow any firm conclusion as to the source of
clarinet vibrato. While it may be in these places (and, conceivably
the elbow as well), I think that talk about the source of
clarinet vibrato is another one of those old wive's tales about
which there is little firm data.

And furthermore, if the source of the vibrato vibrates at the
rates you indicated, I don't believe that a diaphraghm is capable
of moving at that speed. That is a BIG musicle and I question if
it can move at that speed. Mind you, I am not sure where the
clarinetist's vibrato does originate, only suggesting that that
cannot be a large muscle below the rib cage over which we have
little rapid-motion control.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================