Klarinet Archive - Posting 000196.txt from 1994/02
From: "Dr. Ronald P. Monsen" <RPMONS00@-----.EDU> Subj: Re: Vibrato (what about sax?) Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:32:26 -0500
A good place to check on sax vibrato would be the Art of Saxophone Playing
by Larry Teal (Summy-Birchard). Also the short description of the process
in the Fred Hemke booklet on saxophone published by Selmer (Elkhart).
While the process is called LIP it really is begun with a very deliberate
and slow motion of the jaw--much controversy surrounds all of this..but
read these things. I do know that the slow movements in the Mule edition
of the Ferling Studies (Leduc) are marked at a certain MM for this study
purpose. Later Mule is reported to have wished he marked them faster--
his ideal vibrato practice was quicker. I suggest you listen to some of
the recordings of Mule and other classic trained French artists on the
instrument--you may get quite a surprise for American ears.
If this discussion of "sax" topics violates the Klarinet List--I am sorry.
I also feel that several of the earlier French clarinetists certainly made
what to my ears would approach VIBRATO. Listen to recordings of the
former professor of clarinet at the Paris C--Ulyses Delecluse--this is
produced I think from intensity. Our orchestra director here at the
university was a student of Delecluse for quite some time--I'll ask him if it
was ever discussed.
The discussion of the sax vibrato also centers on LIP--but in reality it is
begun with a very definite and methodical movement of the JAW. However, a
truly fine saxophonist does not appear to move anything--except my emotional
state--I hope this helps.
I know that what I have read and practiced always rec the use of a metronome
to accomplish this. And also bear in mind that the saxophone did not see the
light of day with a vibrato. My saxophone teacher (and I had a fine one)
used to say that the best vibrato was the one you only noticed when it
wasn't there--but, well you get the idea. Ron Monsen
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